East Africa is filled with raw beauty and adventure that you will never forget! From water sports activities to long hikes, there’s a lot to do in East Africa for every kind of traveler! Are you traveling to East Africa this holiday season but don’t know where to begin? Well, don’t worry because we’re here with a list of the top 10 experiences that you should try!
Here are 10 stunning East African experiences you’ll never forget:
- Balloon Safari over the Serengeti National Park while watching the Great Migration
A hot air balloon safari in itself is an exceptionally thrilling experience! What makes it even better in the Serengeti National Park is that you get to watch the Great Migration of Serengeti from up above! Watch as millions of wildebeest migrate in search of water and food. You can also spot other wildlife species here including the Big 5!
- Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain of Africa and climbing it is an adventurous experience! The total hike takes about 7-8 days. If you’re not interested in climbing and just want to explore parts of the mountain, you can go on 1-day hiking trails as well. The landscape of the mountain is picturesque and camping on your way up is an unforgettable experience!
- Go snorkeling or scuba diving in Zanzibar
Snorkeling and scuba diving are offered at various beaches in Zanzibar! The most prominent ones include:
- Shane’s Reef near Nungwi Beach in Zanzibar where you can spot octopus, stingrays, ghost pipefish, scorpionfish and many other marine species
- Hammerhead near Kizimkazi where you can spot white tip sharks, tiger sharks, blacktip sharks, and hammerhead sharks!
- Dolphin Wall near Kizimkazi where you can spot dolphins
- The Great Northern shipwreck near Pange has also become a home for many marine species!
- Observe the Big Five!
The Big 5 of Africa include lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinos! These can be spotted at various National Parks across East Africa including the Lake Nakuru National Park, Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area!
- Camping under the stars
You can camp under the stars at the numerous National Parks in East Africa, including Serengeti National Park, Arusha National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Amboseli National Park, and Meru National Park!
It’s an unforgettable experience as the night sky is lit up with stars. It’s peaceful, relaxing and brings you closer to nature. Besides, there are so many luxurious camping sites in these National Parks that you’ll be provided with all the basic facilities!
- Observe the flamingoes at the Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya
Watching hundreds of pink flamingoes by Lake Nakuru is a wonderful sight! Other than the flamingoes, this National Park is also famous for its exceptional wildlife sighting that includes rhinos, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, baboons, leopards and elephants!
- Explore the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, the Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Crater is a magnificent crater that is home to not only the Big 5 of Africa, but also over 400 species of birds and other wildlife species like giraffes, hippos, zebras and wildebeest!
The landscape is very scenic, and while standing at the rim of the crater, you can appreciate the beauty and magnificence of the crater!
- Whitewater rafting on River Nile
Go for whitewater rafting in Jinja, Uganda! Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, you’ll have the thrill of a lifetime here! Grade 5 whitewater rafting is available as well.
- Swim with whale sharks at Mafia Island
Mafia Island allows you to snorkel and swim with the biggest fish of the ocean, the whale sharks! It’s an experience of a lifetime. Other activities that you can enjoy at Mafia island include kayaking, windsurfing, fishing and birdwatching!
- Go trekking with the Chimpanzees at the Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania
The only way to get to Gombe Stream National Park is a 2-hour boat ride across a lake, which in itself is very interesting and adventurous. After arriving at the National Park, you can start trekking and spot many families of chimpanzees! It’s an interesting experience. You can even stay in the Park overnight in tented camps!
The East African countries, especially Tanzania, have great economic potential for tourism. It’s a good idea to contribute to the tourism revenue in that area by shopping for souvenirs!
So, what are you waiting for? Go on a trip to East Africa and cross these experiences off your to-do list!