Why you should visit East Africa (Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda) 

While on the search for where to go for your next vacation in Africa, the time you have matters as you must decide on which country, perhaps the best option and priority should be East Africa. Are you looking for the best places to stay, the best parks for a wildlife safari, music and festivals, interesting cultural history, adventure, and relaxation? The East African region, specifically Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda, has a bucket of travel experiences. Once inspired by a safari trip idea, there are many possibilities of having a combined safari to the three countries for memorable adventures.

 Reasons why Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda should be your next travel destinations

Safety.
 Though the East African region is made up of 7 nations, traveling through them is very easy by use of road, water railway, and air transport. Traveling between Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya on safari is much easier. If you wish to combine the 3 countries in a single trip, you are well assured of getting and using a single East African tourist visa which offers unlimited entry and exit anytime, anywhere. Such a visa prevents unexpected disturbances like theft at different border points.  This visa will give you a chance to experience the differences between the ecosystems of the three countries. Transportation from main cities or airports is very possible and safe by using either private or public means in safari vehicles, buses, taxis, motorcycles, and tuk-tuks.

Additionally, many direct international flights connect tourists to East Africa from different parts of the world. Individual countries offer relatively simple visas on arrival with a duration of two weeks to three months. Kenya Airways and Rwanda Airways offer nonstop flights to the United States of America and other countries.  Uganda Airlines connects you to different parts of East Africa. Other major African carriers such as Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways, and Egypt Air also provide connecting flights from Europe, Asia, and the East African countries.

Tourists can take chartered flights from different international airports to parks and other visitor centers. In Uganda, chartered flights can be booked from Entebbe International Airport to airstrips like Moyo Airstrip, Soroti Airstrip, Pakuba Airstrip, Kasese Airstrip, Gulu Airstrip, and many others. In Kenya, flights connect through different airports like Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Kisumu International Airport, Malindi International Airport, Nairobi International Airport, Amboseli Airport, and many others.

In Rwanda, flights connect from Kigali International Airport to other airports like Gisenyi Airport, Kamembe Airport, Akagera Aviation, Ubuyanja National Airport Ruhengeri, Bugesera Airport, Butare Airport, and many others.

The airport above offers safe and quick access to all safari destinations and is the best option to reach the most remote parks like the southern Tanzania Selous Game Reserve and northeast Uganda’s Kidepo Valley National Park.

Wildlife encounters

East Africa is endowed with diverse ecosystems ranging from the savannah grasslands to tropical rainforests from in-land to coastal areas. Wildlife can be witnessed in several national parks that offer extraordinary safaris that should be included on his safari to Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda. Some of the wildlife encounters in Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda include

Mountain gorilla trekking

Mountain gorilla trekking is one of the most sought-after activities in East Africa. Mountain gorillas live only in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.  For your next safari to see gorillas in their natural habitat, the best choice is a gorilla safari to Uganda or Rwanda.

In Uganda, mountain gorillas reside in both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site harbouring 459 individuals, almost half of the world’s mountain gorilla population.  The park has 22 gorilla families habituated for tourism. The park is so unique, it offers both trekking and habituation safaris. Trekking in Bwindi is a bit challenging due to the terrain but very interesting and memorable.

Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda both lie in the Virunga Massif that Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC share. Both parks are home to mountain gorillas. Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park are trekked from Rwanda but all trekking experiences in both countries are equally rewarding.

Chimpanzee tracking

of the three countries of concern, chimpanzees can be tracked in Uganda and Rwanda. Uganda offers the best chimpanzee trekking safaris in four places, with two different ways of seeing the chimps. Kibale National Park, commonly known as “The Primate Capital of the World” offers both habituation and tracking excursions. The park is home to 13 more primate species and other wild creatures. Other places in Uganda that offer chimpanzee tracking experiences include Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Budongo Forest, and Kaniyo Pabidi in Murchison Falls National Park.

Chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda is commonly done in Nyungwe National Park. In the eastern part of the park is a one-habituated chimpanzee community called Cyamudongo group with about 30 chimps that offers the most successful sightings. Other groups like Uwinka and Gisovu are also found in this park.  more chimpanzees in Rwanda have been found in the newly established Gishwati-Mukura National Park. they are not yet fully habituated, but trekking is done.

 Big five safaris

The savanna plains of East Africa are popular homes for large numbers of the Big Five animals in Uganda and Kenya.  Kenya’s most famous reserves for viewing the Big Five are the Maasai Mara, Samburu Park, and Amboseli Park.  Other common areas in Kenya are Lake Nakuru, OL Pejeta Conservancy and the Lewa Wilderness Conservancy are strong homes for rhinos which make your big five safari complete.

Uganda is another tourist destination to encounter the big five mammals. While on a Uganda safari, visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in combination with Murchison Falls National Park for a complete big five safari.  Queen Elizabeth National Park has four of the five big animals.

Wildebeest migration

Witnessing the wildebeest migration should be the reason for you to come to East Africa for your next adventure. About 1.5 million wildebeests along with thousands of zebras, gazelles, and impalas migrate across the Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve. These animals are always looking for water and green pastures. When planning your safari, you should take note of the best time of the year to travel for the best views of the migration, what other activities can be done besides the migration, and where to stay.  This migration is an astonishing spectacle that offers the best opportunities to witness harsh realities in the wild.

Mountain climbing /hiking

East Africa is one of the best hiking destinations that one should consider for his/her next trip.

Though Mount Kilimanjaro has the highest peak in East Africa at 5895m, Kenya offers hiking safaris on Mount Kenya which lies at 5199m, Mount Longonot at 2776m, Ngongo Hills at 2461m, and many others.

Uganda offers hiking services on Mount Rwenzori, which has several ranges, with Mount Stanley, which has Margherita Peak, considered the highest peak, lying at 5109m.  More hikes have been done on Mount Elgon, mount Moroto, mount Kadam in northeastern Uganda, Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabinyo and Mount Muhabura in the Virunga ranges and are shared by both Uganda and Rwanda. All hikes in the different mountainous areas provide scenic views to surrounding areas and hikers get exposure to diverse wildlife species in the different vegetation zones.

Bird watching

Bird-watching safaris are so incredible and offer opportunities to see a variety of wild bird species in different spots and locations ranging from the savanna grasslands, forests, and wetlands to different vegetation zones in highland areas. Each country has its own unique birding spots with both rare and endemic species.

Kenya has many birding spots, but the main ones include Lamke Nakuru National Park, Masai Mara National Park, Lake Naivasha, Mount Kenya National Park, Kakamega Forest, and many other places including the coastal areas in the Arabuko-Sokoke forest. Some of the bird species in Kenya include flamingos, African fish eagles, Great White pelicans, Hamerkop, kingfishers, ostriches, great blue turaco, Somali Ostrich, Golden-Breasted Sterling, Sokoke Scops owl, and many others.

Birding trips in Uganda are particularly done in national parks. Uganda has over 1060 bird species, most of which are endemic to the Albertine rift.  Some of the major birding destinations include Mabamba Swamp, Bigodi Swamp in Kibale National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Rwenzori National Park, around Lake Victoria, Queen Elizabeth National Park, along the Kazinga Channel, and all savanna and forest parks in the country. Some of the bird species in Uganda include the Rwenzori turaco, Arch’s Olive Green bul, chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Yellow-footed flycatcher, Alpine chat, Congo Serpent Eagle, Black Dwarf Hornbill, and many others.

Rwanda too is a birding destination and different bird species can be spotted in places like Nyungwe National Park, Rugezi Marsh, Volcanoes National Park, Nyabarongo Wetlands, Akagera National Park, and different plantations.  Some of the bird species in Rwanda include the winged Swamp Warbler, Lesser moorhen, White-browed Crake, Rwenzori double-collared sunbird, Rwenzori nightjar papyrus canary, Grauer’s swamp warbler, Shoebill stork, Swamp flycatcher and many others.

Birding activities carried out in different parts of East Africa are often conducted in the wet season though research shows that many birds are best sighted in the wet season. Birds are often sighted during game drives, guided nature walks, and boat cruises on water bodies.

 Beach holidays

Kenya has many inland and coastal stunning sand beaches, warm water, and a vibrant marine ecosystem. Some popular beaches include Dian beach, Nyali beach, Shanzu beach, Kilifi beach, and many other inland beaches on Lake Victoria in Kisumu. The beaches offer luxurious, exclusive, quiet experiences and are great spots for activities like jet skiing, windsurfing, kayaking, snookering, deep-sea fishing, water sports, and diving.

Uganda has inland beaches on the shores of Lake Victoria that provide getaways with beautiful views of the lake and the natural surroundings. Some of the beaches include Imperial Botanical beach, Lido Beach, and Gaba beach among others. Beaches are popular spots for swimming areas, dining, and picnics where people enjoy fresh fish and local eateries.

Lake Victoria also has untouched beaches on the 80 islands within and each island with unique features. These islands offer pristine environments for boat rides, swimming, fishing, and peaceful escapes.

Hospitable people and culture

East Africans are so friendly and have wonderful cultural practices that are good to witness when you meet the locals on any safari. As you travel expect to meet locals in their homesteads and enjoy the perfect ways in which they do their activities.

When you visit Uganda, meet the Baganda, the largest tribal group with interesting cultural practices that can be witnessed when you visit some of their cultural places like the Kabakas Palace, Kasubi tombs, the Uganda Museum, and many other educational cultural institutions.  When you move to the southwestern part of Uganda meet the Batwa people who lived in the forest and had their lives dependent on the forest. These people were later brought to live in normal communities with other people when they wanted to protect and conserve Bwindi and Maghinga National Parks.  The Batwa exhibit fantastic cultural practices through storytelling, music dances, and craft work.   When you travel to the Northeastern region, meet Karimojong and Ik people who culturally live nomadic life. These tribes too have beautiful presentations of their culture and amazing attire.

Travelling to Kenya exposes you to interesting cultural groups in different areas like the Maasai mainly found in the Loita plains in Narok. The Maasai have wonderful cultural exhibitions through song stories, and dances, The Akamba, and the Samburu are other tribes with vibrant cultural practices and stylish ways of dressing with shukas and well-designed jewelry.

Visitors to Rwanda usually interact with the locals through the  “Umuganda” initiative meaning coming together for a common purpose. This interaction is very interesting and contributes to the development.  More cultural interactions in Rwanda are experienced when you visit the Gorilla Guardian Village (Ib’yiwachu) in the Volcanoes National Park.  Through community encounters, visitors learn more about the history of the country of your visit.

All in all, Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda offer unique adventures, culture, and natural beauty that create room for memorable expeditions for travelers, whether into wildlife, culture, or relaxation. East Africa has it all.