The Top 5 Destinations For Wildlife Safaris in East Africa

East Africa, a treasure trove of African wildlife,Kampala on a surfaced road via Mbarara. The
offers some of the most wildlife-viewing spots inpark can also be reached on a dirt road from
Africa. The plains of East Africa are alive withBwindi.
thousands of different species of wildlife includingMasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya
wildebeest, zebra, lion, cheetah and evenSituated in the heart of the Great Rift Valley, with
extremely rare cross-river gorilla that is said toan area of 1,812 square. Kilometers, limited to the
number only 200 in population worldwide.East by the Talek river and Loita plains, Masai
Here I list some of the leading wildlife parks inMara Game Reserve, Kenya's leading Game
Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. A safariReserve, lies on the border between Kenya and
itinerary to any or some of these parks willTanzania and is the northern extension to the
certainly yield optimum, value-for-money safarisrenowned Serengeti plain.
for those that travel to see wild animals as theirThe Masai Mara is a panorama of rolling hills, plains
main interest.and woodlands. The area is well watered by the
The Serengeti National Park, TanzaniaMara river that almost ensures a permanent
The Serengeti is synonymous with the wildlifepopulation of wildlife including the lion, cheetah,
safari. This world famous reserve hosts theelephant, leopard, Thomson and Grant gazelle,
greatest migration of large mammals on ourtopis, buffalo and many others.
planet. Over 1 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelleBesides this abundance, the main Mara main
transverse the grasslands in search of freshattraction is the annual migration, which takes
grazing. Predators, such as lion, hyena, leopard andplace between July and September. Over a million
cheetah, follow in their wake while crocodile waitwildebeest, more than two hundred thousand
in ambush at popular crossing points on the Marazebra with their attendant predators cross the
River. To the east of the Serengeti, the fabledMara River and spread across the plains in a
Ngorongoro Crater promises a "wall-to-wall"seemingly endless procession. To get to Masai
wildlife-viewing spectacle. To get to SerengetiMara from Nairobi, you will drive 4-5 hours or
from Arusha, you will need to drive for about 6take a 45 minute flight.
hours or take a schedule flight that takes about 1Volcanoes National Park / Parc National des
hour.Volcans, Rwanda
Selous Game Reserve, TanzaniaAn up-close, face-to-face encounter with a family
This is the largest protected area in Africa,of mountain gorilla is said to be the most
covering over 50,000 square kilometers.impressive experiences by those who meet with
Elephants, sable antelopes and buffalo wander itsthe endangered wildlife. Few people can get the
woodlands and palm-studded grasslands, whilememory of the gaze from them. The Parc
boat trips along the Rufiji River take you pastNational des Volcans protects steep forested
dozing pods of hippos and through forestedslopes in the Virungas, one of the last strongholds
gorges where blue monkeys peek from thefor this endangered species - the mountain gorillas.
canopy. The Selous reserve is abundant withTrekkers pass through lush cultivated foothills,
predators that include Africa's largest population ofwith fine views of the magnificent peaks beyond,
wild dog. To get to Selous Game Reserve frombefore entering the national park. The dense rain
Dar es Salaam, you will drive for between 7 andforest, alive with the calls of forest birds and
9 hours, but only in the dry season, or one andgolden monkeys, quickly closes around you. The
half hour flight from Dar es Salaam.trail continues, probing the forest, until the soft
Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ugandagrunting of a silverback announces that gorillas are
Queen Elizabeth National Park is the embodimentnearby. Slowly, the guide leads you into a clearing
of Uganda's natural riches. It is an ecological gem.where you come fact to fact with these gently
Sandwiched between lakes Edward and George,giants.
where eastern savannah meets western rainGorilla tracking tours begin at the base town of
forest, this beautiful reserve abounds with plainsMusanze which is a 90 minute drive from Kigali.
game, while its forests are alive with monkeys. InYou can get vehicles for hire to Musanze. By
Chambura Gorge you can even track chimpanzeeroad, Musanze is also about 45 minutes away
on foot. You can take a trip down the Kazinga tofrom Gisenyi town from where you can view
view hippo, crocodile and elephant. Queen ElizabethLake Kivu.
park is between 5 and 6 hours drive from