East Africa is one of the upcoming destinations that travelers opt for when it comes to self guided tours. Here are the top places to visit on self drive in East Africa.
Uganda
Uganda is one the favourite destinations to view wildlife in both forest and savannah. Not to be missed are the mountain gorillas to trek located in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks, while chimps can easily be spotted in Kibale National Park and several other locations. Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks offer wonderful savannah game drive safaris with good wildlife viewing, as does the more remote Kidepo Valley National Park for the ironic safaris.
Uganda is not an obvious safari destination. It’s variety in scenery, people and wildlife and this makes it a truly recommended and unique travel, especially for someone who has already seen the big game Safari in Kenya or Tanzania. In Uganda you can see tree hanging lions in the morning and the next day you can trek Mountain Gorillas, there is no other country in the world that has that.
Uganda wildlife is rich. You have to venture to the national parks for most of the action. The scenery is spectacular from the rolling hills to savannah, as well as the scenic Lake Victoria vista’s, and forests there is a lot to take in. Accommodations can range from super luxury hotels in Kampala, and some of the upscale accommodations in the safari lodges. However more affordable accommodation can be found depending on personal tastes. Transportation is available but can be challenging given the state of infrastructure. A good destination for the eco-tourist who is willing to give up the creature comforts for the sake of beauty.
Overall, it’s a great destination. Some of the parks can arrange walks with the rangers, and this is a superb experience as you get to hear and smell live in the game parks much more intimately than when in the back of a Toyota Land Cruiser.
Rwanda
Looking into the eyes of the thrilling mountain gorilla is a once-in-a-lifetime experience in a Rwanda safari. Volcanoes National Park is the place to be for gorilla trekking tours in Rwanda. But there is plenty more on offer in Rwanda. Chimpanzees and 12 other primates can be found in Nyungwe National Park, and Akagera National Park is home to the Big Five. For some relaxation, why not stay a few days on the shore of scenic Lake Kivu.
The trip into the Volcanoes National Park to see the gorillas is very well organized. Please be sure to hire one of the men to assist you on your walk. It is only $10 US dollars and some of these men are reformed poachers. They are kind and very dedicated to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable trek. Several park rangers escort you and welcome any questions you have.
In sector of tourism in Rwanda, it has been favorite in every kind like transport where many companies have been created, and in every area of visiting you can find good restaurant with international food content. My guide is Akagera national park and live hood of Rwandan people.
Kenya
The birthplace of the safari, Kenya is a world-class wildlife destination, recommended both for experienced safari-goers and for those booking a first-time safari. The peerless Masai Mara National Reserve offers excellent big cat encounters and is the setting for the yearly wildebeest and zebra migration. Palm-lined beaches offer a perfect place to relax after a thrilling safari.
Tanzania
Tanzania is one of Africa’s top safari destinations. The wildlife viewing is out of this world and big cats are especially easy to see. All members of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) can be found in various Tanzanian parks and reserves, and all five are present in the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park. Almost 40% of the country is protected and set aside for conservation, which means that it’s easy to go on a Tanzania safari for 2 full weeks and drive from park to park while rarely leaving the bush.
If this is your first safari and your ambition is to get some amazing sightings and rack up the big 5 as soon as possible, then Ngorongoro Crater is probably the best place in the world to do this. Head for the Serengeti, however, if you have time for a longer safari and your goal is to take time to roam moving as a nomad with the vast herds, or simply scuttling across the savannah between the rock outcrops used as lookout posts by the Serengeti’s lion prides.
Wilder still are the great animal strongholds of Tanzania’s southern circuit. Nyerere is Tanzania’s biggest national park and the best place to go for the thrill of seeing wild dogs, while the Ruaha is even bigger than the Serengeti and a huge favourite with lion junkies like me. Wildest of all is Katavi, well worth going the extra mile to see, as are the chimps of Gombe Stream on the idyllic shores of Lake Tanganyika where Jane Goodall carried out her ground breaking research into the behaviour of these, our closest wild cousins. And after a week or two of life in the bush, where better to wash off the dust than on the coral sands of Zanzibar or the unspoilt islands of the Mafia archipelago.
