7 Things you should not miss on a safari in East Africa East Africa is a magical place with some of the best safari experiences on the continent that will leave you breathless. The region offers incredible wildlife encounters and scenic landscape views ranging from mountains, and lush tropical forests, to the big five wonders and great apes. Words can’t do justice to the magnificence of the Safari experiences in East Africa. We dedicate this post to giving you the top most popular adventures you can have in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda. 1. Big five game viewing safaris 2. Wildebeest migration safaris 3. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro 4. Mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda 5. Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda 6. Beach holiday in Zanzibar 7. Watching The Tree Climbing Lions However, planning a safari in East Africa can be a daunting experience if you do it on your own. That’s why we are here. Dav Safaris Ltd specializes in planning and managing safari experiences in East Africa. We give you the best advice, help you plan your safari, handle the local logistics and manage your confirmed trip. Send us an email at info@davsafaris.com to ask for a free quote and start planning your experiences in East Africa.

1. 7 Things you should not miss on a safari in East Africa
East Africa is a magical place with some of the best safari experiences on the continent that will leave
youbreathless.The regionoffersincredible wildlife encountersandsceniclandscape viewsrangingfrom
mountains, and lush tropical forests, to the big five wonders and great apes.
Words can’t dojustice tothe magnificence of the Safari experiencesinEastAfrica.We dedicate thispost
to giving you the top most popular adventures you can have in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda.
1. Big five game viewing safaris
The big five animals,lion,elephant,leopard,buffalo,andhippo,are Africa’smostincrediblewildlife and
the mainreasonmany touristscome to East Africaforsafari holidays. The big five earned their name in
the 20th century with wealthy big-game hunters from Europe who found it challenging to gun down
these beautiful animals.
Today the bigfive are the biggest names in conservation and tourism. Seeing the Big 5 African animals
livingwildandfree intheirnatural habitats isone of the bestsafari experiences in East Africa. Although
theystill face cruel threatsfrompoachers,the bigfive roamfreelyinsome of the best safari reserves in
East Africa.

2. A well-plannedshortsafari combinationtosee the bigfive (andmuchmore besides) in Kenya would be
the Masai Mara (forlion,buffalo, leopard, and elephant) and Lake Nakuru National Park (for black and
white rhino). You can also have Big five safari experiences in Kenya in Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Laikipia
Plateau, Amboseli, Samburu-Buffalo Springs-Shaba, and Meru.
You’ll visit Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area when you travel to Tanzania for the big-five
experience. Serengeti gives the added excitement of witnessing the epic Great Migration as well.
Watchingthe rhinosin the NgorongoroConservationArea isextra special because they are confined to
the Crater area, making sightings of these shy creatures even easier.
In Uganda, you’ll drive throughMurchisonFalls National Park to spot the big five. And in Rwanda, your
Big five experiences will happen only in Akagera National Park in the extreme northeast.
2. Wildebeest migration safaris
Watching and following the Great Migration is one of East Africa’s safari experiences that no die-hard
safari lover should miss. The spectacle is arguably wild Nature’s greatest show, with millions of
wildebeest, gazelle, and zebra, traversing across the Serengeti in Tanzania and Maasai Mara in Kenya.

3. Naturally, ferocious predators follow the herds for an easy meal, making for exhilarating wildlife
experiences.The migrationstormsforwardnomatterthe obstaclesalongthe way,so it’s survival of the
fittest.
The animalscollectivelytravel acrossthe savannahplains following the rains and searching for greener
pastures. Although it’s not a set route, the beasts follow roughly the same yearly pattern.
The migration experience has become the postcard picture of East Africa. Think vast open savanna
plains flooded with wildlife and flat-topped bushes on the horizon against the signature red African
sunset.
The bestsafari experiencesinEastAfrica,watchingandfollowingthe Great Migration, are best in Masai
Mara. Here, you’ll watch the beast herds struggle to cross the Mara River from Serengeti into the
Maasai Mara National Reserve and back into Tanzania. From here, they make their way toward the
Serengeti National Park, the ideal location to watch the birth of the beasts.
3. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
Climbtothe roof-topof Africa and experience East Africa’s picturesque landscape from the sky on the
continent’shighest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro (Uhuru Summit (5,895 m)). You do not have to be an

4. experiencedmountainclimbertoconquer Kilimanjaro. You do not need mountain climbing equipment
but a good pair of hiking boots and determination to climb to the top.
However,itwouldbe bestif youdidn’tassume thatthe climbingmount Kilimajaro experience is a walk
inthe park. It is a grueling climb under often trying weather conditions on uneven terrain while being
exposedtothe elements. But the overwhelming sense of achievement and incredible views from the
summit will be one of your best safari experiences in East Africa.
Get into Kilimanjaro a day before the climb, settle in at your hotel, and get a briefing. The climbing
experience startsearlyinthe morningamidbananaplantationsonKilimanjaro’s heavilycultivatedlower
slopes.The mostpopularKili hikingtrail passesthroughdenserainforests and alpine meadows, crosses
a barren lunar landscape, and ascends a slippery slope to the peak, revealing breathtaking views over
the plains far below.
There are more than eight possible hiking trails. Selecting the best depends on what terrain you can
handle, your acclimatization profile, the scenery, and the cost of the experience.

5. It can take at least 5-10 days to Uhuru Summit and back with a budget of at least $1600. The price can
include entryfees,guides,rangers,porters,andacook. Unfortunately, you cannot go on your own; you
must be accompanied by a ranger and guide from the park headquarters.
Bookyour experience with Dav Safaris Ltd or with the many operators in Arusha and Moshi. Encounter
will manage your accommodation, gear, guides, and everything else.
4. Mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda
Mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda’s rainforests is undoubtedly one of the best safari
experiencesinEastAfrica.Mountaingorillasare one of the most endangered animals on the planet. As
fewas 1000 live inasmall East Africanregion;beingclose tothese magnificent primates is one of life’s
most rewarding experiences.
Mountaingorillaslive onlyinmountainforestsabove2000 meters in two populations around the Great
RiftValley.One population occupies the misty forest slopes on the Virunga Volcanoes Mountains that
straddle the Uganda,Rwanda,and DR Congoborders.The secondpopulationof gorillaswascutoff from
the bigger bunch because of human settlements and lives in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National
Park.

6. You cannot mention the best safari experiences in East Africa and not include the gorilla trekking
experience because of its direct involvement with wildlife and community conservation. The gorilla
trekking experience highly depends on the communities surrounding the protected areas and the
conservationeffortsbygovernmentswhere theyliveanddedicatedwildlife conservation organizations.
A gorilla trekking trip is a huge contribution to the sustainable programs that protect the endangered
apes within their natural habitat. And what better way to travel than to travel for the good of nature
conservation.
There are only two airports you can fly in to track the gorillas; Entebbe International Airport, located
about 500 km from Bwindi; and Kigali International Airport, located about 100 km from Volcanoes
National Park. The two national parks offer the best safari experiences with mountain gorillas. You
would need at least three nights in the country.
However, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda offers the high-end of the budget, with gorilla permits
going for $1500 per person. On the other hand, Uganda provides a more manageable budget for the
experience, with gorilla tickets going for $700 per person. Accommodation at both national parks is
readily available just outside the entrances offering world-class lodges to just a place to stay.
The gorilla trekking experience is extremely in high demand, meaning that you can’t just walk to the
park and buy an entry ticket. The number of visitors is restricted to a few individuals per day, so you
have to book months in advance to secure your permit. It’s on a first-come, first-serve basis.
To avoidbad experiencesassociatedwithlocal logistics,bookthrough a trusted safari operator like Dav
Safaris Ltd. They’ll secure your gorilla permit from the government, book your accommodation,
transport and manage your entire trip.
5. Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda

7. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest is one of the most unmissable safari experiences in East Africa.
Chimpanzees have for a long time been known to mimic human cultures and share the highest
percentage of ourDNA thanany otheranimal.The trekkingexperience allowstourists to get the closest
to these great apes and observe their exciting behaviors and body structures.
There are many attractions across Africa where you can get close to the chimps. Still, because Uganda
has a highconcentrationof themanda successful conservationtourism program, your best experience
withthe chimps will be in Kibale National Park. The park has more than 1500 chimps, 13 other primate
species, and a list of other exciting animals to encounter.
Chimpanzee trekkingexperiences inKibale occur daily in the early mornings and spend almost half the
day in the rainforest. Some chimpanzee groups are habituated for tourism, which means that you can
spendat leastanhour observingtheirpeculiarbehaviors. Other chimp groups are not fully habituated,
and you can spend almost the whole day walking among them. Armed rangers and expert guides
manage the excursion,allowingyoutocome close tothe endangeredprimatesatthe most comfortable
pace.
You shouldknowthatthe chimpanzee experiencedemandsmoderate physical fitness,although anyone
above 15 yearscan do it.These primatesare hyper-active andswiftlymove across the rainforest from 2

8. km to 10 km ina day. So keepingupwiththeirmovementsisanactive experience that will require a bit
of yourenergy.Some exercisesbefore bookingyourchimpanzeetrekwill be of outstandingcontribution
to a good experience.
A chimp permit costs $200 in Kibale Forest or less in other forests like Budongo and Kyambura Gorge.
The habituation experience with the chimps for a whole day costs $250 per person.
You basicallyneedaboutthree nightsinthe countrytopull off a great experience with the chimps. You
could also add the gorilla trekking experience to your trip. Gorillas are located about 350 km from the
chimps in Kibale, and the two safari experiences are a great combination.
Please email us at info@davsafaris.com to help you plan your chimpanzee trekking experience in
Uganda with trusted local expertise.
6. Beach holiday in Zanzibar
ZanzibarIslandwasonce a bustlingtradingcenterandimportantspice route. Today, it is one of Africa’s
mosttranquil andidyllicvacationdestinations.Zanzibaroffersserene safari experiences strolling along
the soft, delicate, white sand beaches.

9. The Island’sunendingmilesof seashore thatembrace itsmarine ecology is the last stop after exploring
the mainland East Africa attraction.
The Island’s lush tropical vegetation creates a vibrant, verdant contrast to the magnificence of the
beaches;youcan enjoythe spectacularAfricansunrisesfrom the east of the Island or the golden colors
of the breathtaking sunsets on the west coast. Birders will enjoy the many colorful Zanzibari birds,
including the yellow-collared lovebird.
Zanzibarisnot simplyasingle islandof the IndianOceanbutan archipelago of Unguja, Zanzibar, Pemba
Island, and surrounding islands like Chapwani, Mnemba, Chumbe Bawe, Changuu, and others.
The glorious Zanzibar beaches and coral reef experiences are perfect for families and honeymooners.
There is superb boutique accommodation and all the indulgences for a relaxed traveler.
7. Watching The Tree Climbing Lions
Driving through the vast plains of Lake Manyara Park in Tanzania or Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth
National ParkinUganda will rewardyouwithsceniclandscape viewsandone of the most unforgettable
safari experiences in East Africa; watching the exceptional tree-climbing lions.

10. In Ishasha,youcan watch these interestinglionsatophuge figtree branches as they keenly watch their
preyof peacefully grazing impala, gazelle, and kob herds. You may catch the rare spectacle of the tree
lion pouncing on the ground for a kill if you’re fortunate.
The advantage of watchingthemin Isasha is that you can add the gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi
(65 km) to your trip.
You can spot the other tree-climbing population of lions around Tarangire and Lake Manyara National
Parks in Southern Tanzania. Their awkward, almost unnatural behavior of climbing trees with their
massive weight is a sharp contrast to the excellent agility of leopards.
The sightis fascinating,andwatchinga200-kg agile cat navigate the thin branches of a fig tree is one of
the unique safari experiences in East Africa.
A Safari in East Africa
In Africa,there’snowhere thatyou’ll getthe mostauthenticwildlife experience than in East Africa. East
Africaisa classicsafari destinationwith seasoned experiences for all types of travelers, including you.
However, planning a safari in East Africa can be a daunting experience if you do it on your own. That’s
whywe are here. Dav Safaris Ltd specializesinplanningandmanaging safari experiences in East Africa.
We give you the best advice, help you plan your safari, handle the local logistics and manage your
confirmed trip.
Sendus an email at info@davsafaris.com toaskfor a free quote and start planning your experiences in
East Africa.