There are a staggering amount of famous safari locations in East Africa. Lake Nakuru National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, the Serengeti National Park, and the Masai Mara National Reserve … and the list continues. Then there are the must-see attractions, including the wildebeest migration and gorilla trekking. However, it might be hard to figure out how everything comes together and what can be done on a typical vacation. Fortunately, SafariBookings offers a wide range of excursions to suit everyone’s requirements. Get ideas by looking through our top picks for East African safaris.

1. Tanzania’s Northern Circuit Safari, which includes the Serengeti

Days: four to seven
Parks: Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, and Lake Manyara National Park
Tanzania’s Northern Circuit is the only place to go if you want an exciting safari with lots of variation. Lake Manyara National Park is a picturesque little jewel in the Rift Valley that is only a short drive from the gateway city of Arusha.

Tree-climbing lions are well-known there, and the birdlife is amazing. You will then stay at Serengeti National Park for a few nights. Large herds of grazers dot the unending plains, and predators are always around.

The Great Migration, Africa’s greatest spectacular wildlife show, may also be within your reach. You will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater on your route back to Arusha. All of the wildlife drama that takes place on the crater floor is perfectly framed by the wooded rim of the crater. More creatures than you may have imagined can be seen in a single day, including the endangered black rhino.

2. Safari in Tanzania and Zanzibar Island

Days: 6–14 days
Parks: Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, and Nyerere (Selous) National Park
Tanzania has the ideal combination of beach and safari. Safaris in Tanzania’s Northern Circuit (see above) are the most popular, followed by beach vacations in tropical Zanzibar. The island is renowned for its medieval Stone Town in Zanzibar City, its white sand beaches, and its pristine blue waters. In Zanzibar, there are many of things to do.

Spice tours into the island’s rural interior and snorkeling on vibrant offshore coral reefs are suggested day trips. As an alternative, Nyerere National Park (previously Selous Game Reserve) is a fantastic choice for a short safari extension to a Zanzibar visit. You can do a lot in a short amount of time here. Game drives, walking safaris, and boat rides on the powerful Rufiji River are among the available activities.

3. Kenya’s Masai Mara Safari

Days: three to five
Reserves and parks: Lake Nakuru National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve
You can’t go wrong with a Masai Mara safari if you want to see amazing wildlife in a traditional African setting. You can witness one of the world’s largest wildlife spectacles, the Great Migration, if you visit between August and October.

Lake Nakuru is a possible overnight stop on a safari that lasts four or five days. This picturesque lake in the Rift Valley is well-known for its amazing birds and flamingo flocks during certain seasons. Hippos, Rothschild’s giraffes, white and black rhinos, and other antelope can all be seen there.

4. Safari in Kenya and Beach Time

Days: 6–14 days
Masai Mara National Reserve, Tsavo West and Tsavo East National Parks, Lake Nakuru National Park, and Amboseli National Park are among the parks and reserves.
Kenya is the ideal location for a traditional beach and jungle vacation. You will explore the renowned Masai Mara National Reserve for a couple of days. For excellent lion and cheetah sightings, the open savannah is ideal.

With luck, you may even spot a hunt. To see rhinos and other wildlife, you just need to spend a brief time at the stunning Lake Nakuru National Park. You will conclude the safari by visiting Amboseli National Park, where you can see Africa’s tallest mountain, Kilimanjaro, and get up-close and personal with elephants.

If you have the time, you can spend a few more days in Tsavo (East and West) for a genuine wilderness experience and the opportunity to observe rare antelope like fringe-eared oryx and gerenuk. The ideal way to round off a vacation is to head to the coast and spend a few days lounging on one of Kenya’s beautiful beaches.

5. Safari & Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Days: three to five
Parks: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
A gorilla trekking safari in Uganda is an experience of a lifetime. In addition to being thrilling, gazing into a mountain gorilla’s eyes is incredibly affecting. Following an early breakfast, you and your ranger will venture into the heart of the jungle beauty that is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

It can be difficult to follow the gorillas’ footprints on slick forest trails, but spending an hour with these kind giants is worth it. You can spend a couple days at Queen Elizabeth National Park or Lake Bunyonyi at the end of a five-day tour.

If you want to end your gorilla journey in a picturesque location that is perfect for swimming, canoeing, and walking, the former is the best option. The latter is the better option if you want to track chimpanzees and have a traditional savannah safari where you might see elephants, buffalo, and maybe even lions that climb trees.

6. Rwandan Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking

Days: three to five
Parks: Nyungwe National Park and Volcanoes National Park
Take a Rwandan gorilla trekking safari and follow in the footsteps of famed primatologist Dian Fossey. You will be lodging in the Virunga Mountains, just outside Volcanoes National Park. Perhaps the best spot in the world to see these gentle giants is still here, where Dian Fossey first habituated gorillas in the 1960s.

Trekking with golden monkeys, hiking to the original gorilla research camp, and, for the more daring, climbing one of the Virunga volcanoes are some of the other activities available here. A visit to Nyungwe National Park, one of East Africa’s most stunning rainforests, can also be included in a five-day itinerary. An unusual aerial view of the woodland environment is provided via a hanging canopy walk. Many of the 13 primate species found in Nyungwe, including chimpanzees, will be visible to you.