Life is an adventure, and what better way to explore the best places to visit in East Africa.
Loosely defined and extremely large, East Africa covers a magnificent group of different countries. Visiting this part of the world rewards you with welcoming people, vibrant culture, and spectacular sceneries. From an expedition of the National wildlife in Nairobi or a hot air balloon safari over Serengeti, you can never have enough of the best places to visit in East Africa.
Best places to visit in East Africa
1. Visit Watamu Kenya for white sands
As compared to most Coastal beaches, Watamu remains the home for peace and tranquillity. Located right at the heart of Kenya’s beautiful coast, the small town is renowned for coral reefs and palm-fringed beaches.
A favorite pastime here is scuba diving. A visit to Gedi ruins provides an insight into the early life of the Swahili people. On land, you encounter Mida Creek, which offers beautiful birdlife and beachfront hotels serving fresh food. There are numerous diving schools in Watamu and has some of the best places to visit in East Africa.
2. Enjoy a rewarding safari at the Maasai Mara National Reserve
The Maasai Mara National Reserve has earned a reputation as one of Africa’s best safari destinations. No matter the time of the year, you experience some of the most rewarding wildlife sightings.
You can see the big five in a single day, while the period between July and November is for the wildebeest migration. Watching the herds crossing over to Tanzania is an experience worth reliving. Another highlight of the visit is taking a cultural trip to Maasai villages.
3. Take a spice tour in Zanzibar
The archipelago off Tanzania’s coast is renowned for growing an array of aromatic spices. Zanzibar offers a tropical and warm paradise full of capped islands, azure seas, and ancient history. Colloquially called the “Spice Island,” enjoy one of the best aromatic experiences yet.
Learn how farmers grow different spices such as ylang-ylang, nutmeg, vanilla, and cinnamon on your trip. The air scent is also full of ginger, chocolate, coffee, with coconut trees waving in the breeze.
4. Take a hike to Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain
Climbing the highest mountain in Africa is something one can proudly talk of. It needs a certain level of fitness to climb successfully. While on this journey, you pass through bare alpines and lush rain forests. You need to carry a backpack and cooking items while on this escapade.
5. See flamingoes at Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya
A visit to Lake Nakuru is the highlight of any trip you take to the Rift Valley. The soda lake is home to a beautiful flamingo population. Visiting during the dry season allows you to see more of the birds because, during this time, water levels drop, making the lake alkaline. As a result, more algae grows, which the birds feed on. In turn, the number of flamingoes can increase up to two million, creating a rose wine haze on the lake. Other animals found in the park include rhino, lion, and about 450 bird species.
6. Visit Ngorongoro Conservation Tanzania
The Ngorongoro crater dominates Tanzania’s Conservation Area. Roughly 1,970 feet/600 meters deep is the largest intact caldera worldwide. Countless wild animals move across the crater’s plain grassland, including a good number of the endangered black rhino. The remaining huge tusker elephants and black-maned lions also traverse this area.
7. Take a trip to Serengeti National Park for the most fulfilling safari experience
Are you looking for the ultimate safari? Combine a trip to the Maasai Mara Kenya and Serengeti in Tanzania. Here, spectacular open plains are dotted with grazing game and acacia trees, making it the best place to visit in East Africa. It’s also the best place to see animals like the cheetah and lion in action, especially during the rainy season. During this time, wildebeests move to the southern part to deliver, with newborns being an easy target for the wild cats.
8. Enjoy Zanzibar’s incredible beaches
Zanzibar is the best place to visit in East Africa because of its rich history and beautiful sandy beaches. Located out of Tanzania’s coast and surrounded by the archipelagic Indian Ocean, Zanzibar architecture elaborates its exotic past.
The Island’s biggest attraction is the stone town, which has mosques, a Sultan’s palace, narrow alleyways, and ornate houses. Zanzibar’s reefs are perfect for scuba diving and snorkelling, while the white sand beaches leave you with the wow factor.
9. Visit Rwanda and learn about Volcanoes, Africa’s oldest national park
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National park is covered with mist and abundant vegetation. Located deep within Virunga Mountains, visiting Africa’s oldest national park gives you the chance to see the endangered mountain gorilla.
These sub-species of the larger eastern gorilla are only 800 in number. However, being part of them in their natural environment should be at the top of a wildlife-savvy person’s bucket list for the best places to visit in East Africa. The park is also home to other rare species and 29 bird species.
10. Bungee jump and raft in Jinja Uganda
If you are after adventure, Uganda has some of the best places to visit in East Africa. The beautiful holiday town of Jinja boasts of kayaking, bungee jumping, and mountain biking, among many things. However, water rafting should be at the top of your list. The best time for white water rafting is during the dry months of January and February, or June to September when the skies are clear.
East Africa is truly beautiful, and there’s something for everyone!
