Best Places to Visit in East Africa (2024)

These best places to visit in East Africa cover some of natural landscapes and national parks the region has to offer.

East Africa is considered the tourism hub of Africa, boasting diverse landscapes, rich cultures, and a variety of wildlife encounters. Wildlife stands out as the star attraction in East Africa, so many of the best places to visit in East Africa are connected to the wildlife on offer here.

Its presence in the region’s numerous game parks and national reserves draws countless visitors eager to experience the raw beauty of the African savannah.

From the cinematic view of the stunning rainforests to the serene and wild savannas, this region offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience for every traveler.

Best Places to Visit in East Africa

Nairobi National Park

Kenya, often referred to as the cradle of humanity, is a country known for its unforgettable wildlife safaris. Kenya is a safe place to visit but is also one of the best countries for safari trips.

Just a short drive from the city center, the Nairobi National Park offers a unique opportunity to spot the famous black rhinos (Kifaru in Swahili), the lion king, leopards, hyenas, giraffes, and zebras in their natural habitat. This is a must visit destination in Africa and one of the best places to visit in East Africa.

The park is one of Africa’s smallest, covering only 117 square kilometers, but it provides views and sightings like no other, thanks to being the only national park in the world bordering a capital city.

The park’s wetland ecosystems support approximately 400 species, a number that surpasses the avian population of the entire United Kingdom. 

A range of hotels and resorts are conveniently located near the capital. They offer comfortable accommodations for weary travelers seeking respite after a day of touring.

For those looking for a combination of leisure and business, Safari Park Hotel & Casino, located in the heart of Nairobi, offers the ultimate luxury experience.

The high-end hotel boasts 205 exquisite rooms, several restaurants, bars, and a world-class casino on-site; no need to search for online options. A visit to Nairobi National Park is a must for any wildlife enthusiast.

Masai Mara

When looking at where to go on Safari, the Masai Mara comes up at the top of many lists.

Arguably Kenya’s most popular safari destination, this national park offers a breathtaking spectacle during the Great Wildebeest Migration. Every year, from October to July, millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles migrate through the plains in search of lush grazing lands.

The migration drama is heightened once the creatures start crossing the dangerous Mara River. Get a chance to see Darwin’s concept of “survival of the fittest” unfold as crocodiles hunt and drag the unlucky and weak creatures deep into the river during the Mara crossing that begins around late July to August.

Witnessing millions of wildebeest and zebras on the move is always an unforgettable experience!

Serengeti and Zanzibar

Tanzania is a country of contrasts that offers breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage. The Serengeti National Park is a world-renowned wildlife sanctuary, famous for the annual Great Migration.

There are many things to know before you go to Tanzania, but did you know that about 8000 wildebeest calves are born daily in February, although only about 60% of them make it past 4 months old? 

Aside from wildebeests, the vast Serengeti grasslands provide a view of predators, including lions, jackals, hyenas, and leopards. These hunters are known to prey and feast on giraffes, zebras, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles, buffaloes, impalas, hartebeest, and topis.

Like the Nairobi National Park, Serengeti also boasts over 500 species of birds, making it a perfect birdwatching destination.

When planning a Tanzania safari, make sure to compare the best time to go on safari here and also compare the many hotels and resorts available.

After an exhilarating safari, get a chance to unwind on the pristine beaches of Zanzibar. This archipelago is a paradise for beach lovers, with crystal-clear waters and white sandy shores. Visit Darajani Market and get a taste of the nose-tingling fresh spices and iced fish offered as you learn a thing or two about the local Zanzibari culture.

Rwanda: Land of a Thousand Hills

“Visit Rwanda!” If you are an English football fan, you might have spotted this marketing campaign on Arsenal’s home kits. This beautiful country bordering Burundi is often called the “Land of a Thousand Hills.” 

It is a leading eco-tourism destination with stunning natural beauty and warm hospitality. Rwanda’s Nyungwe National Park which covers nearly 400 square miles, stands as Africa’s largest and oldest rainforest that offers stunning scenery and abundant wildlife.

The park’s mountainous terrain is home to chimpanzees and other primates, such as the rare L’Hoest’s monkey found in the Albertine Rift. This ecological haven is also home to at least 86 mammal species, 278 bird species, and a diverse population of amphibians and reptiles. 

Nyungwe National Park is located in the town of Cyangungu, in southwest Rwanda, close to Lake Kivu, which borders the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Uganda: The Pearl of Africa

Uganda, often referred to as the “Pearl of Africa,” is the country where the East African savannah meets the central African jungle. It is also one of the cheapest travel destinations in the world, ideal for budget travelers.

It’s only in Uganda that you can observe lions under an acacia tree in the morning, cruise down to the Nile by noon, and visit the lush rainforests of the Murchison Falls National Park in the afternoon to track chimpanzees. 

From the snow-capped Ruwenzori Mountains to the vast expanse of Lake Victoria, Uganda offers a diverse range of landscapes. Visit the villages of the Kampala capital and get yourself beautifully crafted pieces of art made by local artisans and add them to your curio collection.

Another must-visit destination in Uganda is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is home to a population of mountain gorillas and numerous other Ugandan gorilla families.

The park is situated in the southwestern part of Uganda. It has different sections where the various gorilla groups can be sighted, making it a top choice for gorilla trekking enthusiasts. Consider taking a white-water rafting expedition on the Nile River for a breathtaking adventure.

Kilimanjaro National Park

Tanzania is a country that keeps on giving when it comes to tourism. Imagine taking in a breathtaking view from Africa’s highest point! Rising to a height of 5,895 feet, the dormant volcano covered in snow, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa. 

It is visible from as far away as Amboseli National Park and Kenya. Relatively accessible hiking trails wind past Lake Chala’s volcanic caldera and through a rainforest home to colobus monkeys, buffalo, and even elephants around the base of Kilimanjaro’s highest peak.

As you ascend higher into the heath zone, you may see smaller mammals like hyraxes and birds. The slopes become steeper as one approaches Uhuru Peak’s summit which is littered with glacial ice fields. The summit is a cold, windy place, but the views are quite something. Once you reach the peak, take some photos of the beautiful sunrise and bring them back home. 

Kilimanjaro isn’t the most remote or challenging mountain to climb, and it draws more than 75,000 mountaineering enthusiasts annually. However, altitude sickness is the main reason climbers fail to reach the Kilimanjaro-Uhuru peak, making it a true test of endurance.

Even though climbing the snow-capped volcano has become a popular challenge and is crowded with other climbers, we still strongly recommend anyone, especially those interested in mountaineering, to visit the Kilimanjaro National Park during any African safari. 

March through the end of May marks Mount Kilimanjaro’s rainy season, which is not a good time to go trekking. Thankfully, the rest of the year is quite pleasant, and the peak season runs from July to the end of October. This is the right time to visit Kilimanjaro and have the best chance of reaching the summit on a clear day. 

These best places to visit in East Africa need to make it to your itinerary when planning a trip to the region. Where are you heading to? Let us know in the comments below!