Best of East Africa Tours, African Safaris, Gorilla Trekking & More

Guide to Booking African Safari Holidays & Tours

Are you longing to see Africa and the amazing stuff this huge continent has to offer? but you have such a tight budget or maybe you are wondering how? don’t stretch so much with luxury packages for each country! solution – combined safaris. With a single east African safari that stretches through Kenya to Tanzania to Uganda to Rwanda to D.R. Congo, you get to experience this breathtaking region in a more fun, budget – friendly and simple way.

A combined East African safari is a simplistic way of exploring the entire region in a single shot – and yet very affordable! The wildlife, gorilla, cultural experiences and so much more can be experienced in just a one combo trip. in fact, with such a combo safari, you enjoy variety of experiences in so many countries which is so rewarding, an encounter you can’t find on a single country trip.

A safari in Uganda

Beautiful, small, Uganda is undoubtedly home to breathtaking landscapes, wildlife, lively cultures and warm people. Dubbed the pearl of Africa by Winston Churchill, Uganda doesn’t disappoint! with its natural features like the source of River Nile, equator, mountains, valleys, waterbodies, etc. Uganda has proved to be the number one choice for many travelers across the globe.

Notably, Uganda is home to the mountains of the moon, Lake Victoria, and Bwindi impenetrable national park – refuge for the remaining populations of mountain gorillas in the world.

What to do on a Uganda safari?

Uganda’s primary activity is gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks though there is so much more to offer.

The UNESCO designated site Bwindi impenetrable national park is by far the most sought after destination and a visitors’ first port of call, as it houses an array of habituated gorilla families in its lush jungles.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park can be done in its distinguished regions where families of mountain gorillas have been habituated and made ready for trekking every day.

Away from Bwindi impenetrable forest, it is worth noting that the legendary Lake Victoria is base for fantastic adventure experiences for intrepid travelers. Such experiences include white water rafting, boat cruises, tubing, island hopping, bungee jumping, visiting source of R. Nile and so much more.

Wildlife safaris are something to look out for in Uganda; you don’t need to go to Kenya or Tanzania for game drives. Amazing scenic parks are in all corners of the country where breathtaking game drives can be done comfortably. Such national parks include the northern based Kidepo national park and Murchison falls national park. Most game parks however are based in western Uganda, these include Semuliki national park, Queen Elizabeth national park and Lake Mburo national park.

Safaris in Rwanda

Regardless of its small size, Rwanda is an excellent safari holiday destination; made up of sweeping plains that cover its eastern border with Tanzania and the rugged highlands and plateaus make up its northern and southern regions. The variation of Rwanda’s terrain is purely responsible for its variety of biodiversity.

Notable safari experiences to do in Rwanda include gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes national park, game drives and boat trips in Akagera national park, chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk in Nyungwe forest national park. However, Lake Kivu is another holiday destination suitable for travelers looking for a complete getaway, relaxation and rewind besides blue waters and lie on its extensive white sand beaches.

Wildebeest Safaris in Kenya and Tanzania

While these two destinations boast two historical national parks – Masai Mara and Serengeti national parks; it is with no doubt that Kenya is as interesting as Tanzania as far game safaris are concerned.

Both Kenya and Tanzania are made up of open swarthy plains which act as home of abundant wildlife, including the Big 5 mammals, birdlife and other minor resident animals. Most remarkably however, these destinations are best known for the spectacular annual wildebeest migration.

This is where millions and thousands of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles respectively make a remarkable journey from Serengeti national park in Tanzania to Masai Mara national park in Kenya.

Get this extraordinary experience of drawing so close to over 1 million wildebeests in Tanzania and Kenya and combine it with trekking the rare mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in Uganda, Rwanda and D.R. Congo; you will be rewarded with unforgettable memories that you will leave to tell.

Gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking is an experience of a lifetime. Find reliable gorilla trekking safaris that guarantee up close with the endangered mountain gorillas or lowland gorillas in the African jungles. Our African gorilla safaris introduce you into the dense tropical forests to encounter a habituated family of mountain gorillas guaranteeing you an unforgettable experience.

Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is a lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with a group of mountain gorillas. Uganda, located in East Africa is a special African country with two gorilla trekking destinations all with fully habituated mountain gorilla family groups. These include Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, situated in Southwestern Uganda.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is where over 459 mountain gorillas freely roam in the jungle. Gazetted in 1991 and occupying a land area of 331sq.km, Bwindi is comprised of 20 habituated gorilla families and its 4 regions (Rushaga, Buhoma, Ruhija, and Nkuringo) have groups for you to explore.

Rushaga sector- lying on the Southern side of Bwindi, Rushaga is comprised of 9 habituated gorilla groups. It is a region that accommodates a large number of tourists each gorilla group is assigned to a maximum of 8 guests each day, translating to 72 tourists/gorilla permits. This gorilla trekking sector is reachable via Kisoro and has gorilla families such as Mishaya, Bweza, Bikingi, Busingye, Kahungye, Kutu, Mucunguzi, Nshongi, and Rwigi groups.

Ruhija -this is the Eastern gorilla tracking sector of Bwindi. It is located at an altitude of 2350m and it is one of the coldest places in Bwindi. Ruhija comes with amazing gorilla trekking opportunities in its already habituated gorilla families such as Oruzogo, Bitukura, Mukiza, and Kyaguriro. Ruhija is also a preferred birding destination, offering you a chance to look out for Albertine rift endemic bird species.

Buhoma sector- the Northern gorilla tracking region in Bwindi National Park is home to the first gorilla group to be habituated in Uganda- the Mubare gorilla family. Today, Buhoma has 4 groups and additional three families include Rushegura, Katwe, and Habinyanja.

Nkuringo region: This is located on the Southern side of Bwindi and it is a favorite place to enjoy challenging gorilla trekking adventures. The gorilla families that make up Nkuringo include Nkuringo groups, Bushaho and Christmas.

Ntebeko sector- located in Mgahinga National Park is where your adventure into the jungles to explore the Nyakagezi group, the only habituated gorilla family in this park.

Uganda gorilla permits

Visiting Uganda mountain gorillas in any of the 5 sectors requires a gorilla permit. In Uganda, gorilla trekking permits are relatively cheaper each costing trekkers USD700 for foreign nonresidents, shs. 250,000 for East African citizens and foreign residents incur a cost of USD600. A single gorilla permit allows you to visit one gorilla family and each gorilla group is visited once a day.

Rwanda gorillas

Rwanda is most visited for mountain gorilla encounters. With over 30% of the world’s mountain gorillas (1063) and 12 habituated gorilla families, Rwanda should be your must-visit gorilla trekking destination. Lying within East-Central Africa, Rwanda has only Volcanoes National Park for tourists to get up close to the massive mountain gorillas in the wild.

Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s oldest park, gazetted in 1925 and its land area covers only 160sq.km. This park lies in Northwestern Rwanda, and accessing it takes between 2 and 3 hours. Some of the park’s interesting gorilla families to consider visiting include Hirwa, Kwitonda, Umubano, Amahoro, Agashya, Sabyinyo, Bwenge, Susa A, Susa B (Karisimbi) and Ugenda.

Gorilla permits

Tracking Rwanda gorillas requires you to have a valid permit like any East African gorilla trekking destination. Rwanda is an ideal location for guests who prefer high-end or luxury gorilla safaris. Each valid gorilla permit in Rwanda is available for reservation at USD1500 per person. When planning your memorable gorilla trip to Rwanda, your tour operator will be in position to assist you to book in advance a gorilla permit. Gorilla permits must be booked in advance whether you are visiting Uganda or Rwanda to see a family of these unique apes.

Congo gorillas

Congo gorilla safaris take you through both lowland and mountain gorilla encounters in its tropical-forest-dominated parks. For guests interested in lowland gorillas, the best place to head to is Kahuzi-Biega National Park and mountain gorilla encounters are perfectly enjoyed on the Congo gorilla tour in the Virunga National Park. The Virunga Park’s gorilla groups to visit include the Kabirizi gorilla family, Lulengo, Mapuwa, Humba, Bageni group, Nyakamwe, Rugendo, and Munyaga gorilla families. Each of this groups is visited by a maximum of eight tourists per day and available gorilla permits are 64, each permit obtainable at USD400 per person.

What to wear, carry, and equipment for the African gorilla tour

Essentials to consider packing for a successful African gorilla tour include a valid gorilla permit, a camera with no flashlight, a first aid kit or box, a waterproof daypack, a long-sleeved shirt, long trousers, insect repellents, a sweater, toiletries, gardening gloves, snacks, and bottled drinking water.

Wildebeest migration

The wildebeest migration is one main reason why most tourists travel to Africa. This is a unique wildlife experience best enjoyed while on Tanzania safaris or Kenya safaris. In Tanzania, wildebeest migration occurs in the Serengeti National Park located in the Northern safari circuit, and in Kenya, visit the renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve found in Narok, the Southwestern side of the country.

The wildebeest migration is a mesmerizing wildlife experience where tourists observe millions of wildebeest plus a huge concentration of other mammals, especially grazers while they move to search for water and pasture. This is an annual event that often occurs from June to July, and for guests who may wish to observe them giving birth, the birthing season is from December to February.

The wildebeest migration is listed among the world’s natural wonders. It occurs in a circular form; wildebeest cross from Serengeti to Maasai Mara and back in search of pastures and water. They cross several rivers with giant Nile crocodiles, and they are also hunted by lions and other predators.

Big game safaris

Africa is a preferred destination to see the big 5 game in the wild. From Southern to Eastern Africa, tourists never miss encountering the big game (elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, and buffaloes) freely roaming in the savannas. The most popular big game safari destinations in East Africa include Maasai Mara National Reserve located in Southwestern Kenya.

Masai Mara is an extensive savanna-dominated game reserve in Kenya, and it is the country’s most visited destination. It is a preferred spot to find both wildebeests and the big five game in a single habitat. Other big game destinations in Kenya include Tsavo Parks, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli National Park, Nairobi National Park, and others.

Tanzania is one of the amazing wildlife or big game destinations in East Africa. It is also most visited for wildebeest migration and its most popular parks to visit for game viewing include Lake Manyara National Park (this is found along the Great Rift Valley, also home to the tree-climbing lions), Serengeti National Park (Tanzania’s extensive protected area with a land area of 14763sq.km), and this is where the big five and wildebeest share the same habitat, Tarangire National Park, Nyerere (Selous) National Park, Ruaha National Park, Katavi National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and others.

Primate safaris

Our Africa safaris tours offer more than big five game/wildlife safaris or gorilla trekking trips. We also organize unforgettable primate safaris for you to explore key primate destinations such as Kibale Forest National Park (Uganda), Nyungwe Forest National Park & Gishwati-Mukura National Park (Rwanda), Gombe National Park (Tanzania), the best places to get up close with chimpanzees in the wild. If you are interested in golden monkey tracking, it is possible to arrange a tour to Mgahinga National Park in Uganda or Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda for you to see the golden monkeys.

Adventures

Our exclusive African safaris also combine mountaineering/hiking adventures in Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Mount Kenya in Kenya, Rwenzori Mountain climbing in Uganda, and Virunga Volcano hiking (Nyiragongo, Karisimbi, Gahinga, Muhabura, Bisoke, Mikeno, Sabyinyo, & Nyamuragira volcanoes). Or set off for exciting adrenaline adventures such as bungee jumping, whitewater rafting, kayaking, boat cruises, and more.

When to visit

Africa safaris can be done at any time of the year. This is due to favorable weather and climatic conditions that Africa enjoys. But, the most preferred/best time to visit the continent is during the dry season, from June to August or December to February