East Africa is a land of adventure safaris; from gorilla trekking deep in the Bwindi impenetrable forest of the Pearl of Africa to the great migration in Serengeti of Tanzania and Maasai Mara of Kenya, talk about Rwanda the land of a thousand hills not forgetting the worthwhile extensions through the mysterious Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga ranges.
East African Game Drives
When you speak of Jungle safaris, East Africa will never disappoint. You can enjoy wilderness game drives at their best in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda all year long.
Uganda Game Drives
Uganda has a total of 10 national parks. Out of these entire ten national parks; there are mainly three national parks very popular for game drives; Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth national, and Kidepo valley national park.
However besides the game drives that offer wonderful views of wildlife including but not limited to African elephants, Leopards, Lions, Giraffes, Buffaloes, hyenas, warthogs, and many antelope species. Each park has its own major icons.
Murchison Falls National Park major icon in Murchison falls. Your adventurous game drive will obviously at one point have to hit the top of the falls where you will have an aerial of the Nile forcing itself in an eight meters gorge.
Queen Elizabeth’s National Park’s major icon is the tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector. However, besides its major icon, it’s very popular for its proximity to the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park making it a must-visit for anyone considering gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Kidepo Valley National Park is the leading icon of Uganda when it comes to game drives. Unfortunately, it is one of the least visited national parks in Uganda because of its distant location from Kampala and the road conditions more so in the rainy seasons.
Tanzania Game Drives
Tanzania is an exceptionally good year long, when traveling to Tanzania; you might not have to worry about the seasons like in other African destinations. The country has a total of 16 national parks; the top-recommended for game drives are; Serengeti national park, Ngorongoro conservation area, and Selous/Nyerere national park.
Game drives in Tanzania carry a certain form of uniqueness characterized by wilderness luxurious camping accommodation. You are likely to spend more of your nights in your Tanzania game drive safari in a tent. You have to also get used to packing your lunch every morning when you are leaving the campsite to set off for the trip.
Serengeti National Park’s main icon is the great migration of the wildebeests. This happens usually between January and February of every year, and March to April of every year. There are other months you can witness the great migration, however the above are the most recommended.
Ngorongoro conservation area is popularly known for its craters. A visit to Ngorongoro craters offers special wildlife views of a number of wildlife species including but not limited to; elephants, zebras, warthogs, wildebeests, and several other antelope species not forgetting some of the African big cats as well.
Selous Game Reserve was the biggest game reserve on the African continent until the park it was set apart to form Nyerere National Park. The reserve is mainly known for game hunting. It offers some of the longest game drives on the African continent.
Rwanda Game Drives
Rwanda has a total of four national parks with Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe National Park, and Akagera National Park as the most popular national parks in Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park is mainly known for gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking, Nyungwe National Park is very popular for chimpanzee tracking while Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s leading savannah national park.
Game drives in Rwanda are popularly done in Akagera National Park which offers stunning views of the African Elephant, Buffaloes, Lions, Leopards, Rhinos, Impalas, Giraffes, and roan antelopes among several other wildlife species and bird species.
Rwanda is not popular for game drives. It is mostly popular for chimpanzee tracking, gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, cultural tours, and amazing hikes with bird-watching experiences
The best time for Akagera National Park game drives would be the months of June to September and the months of January and February. Late December would also be recommended for the same activities in Akagera National Park
Kenya Game Drives
“Magical Kenya” has a total of 23 national parks. Its main tourism icon is the great wildebeests’ migrations. Without exception, the Maasai Mara conservation area is the leading game drive destination in Kenya. However, there are several other national parks to consider for your game drives in Kenya.
The most popular or must-visit national parks and reserves other than the Maasai Mara conservation area include but are not limited to; Lake Nakuru National Park, Tsavo West National Park, Tsavo East National Park, Samburu National Park, Buffalo Springs National park, Amboseli National Park.
Game drives in most of these parks will offer you amazing views of rhinos in the wild, leopards, Lions, Buffaloes, and African elephants among several other wildlife species indigenous to destination Kenya.
Like other East African countries, you must take into consideration the weather changes in Kenya. Game drives are most recommended between the months of July to October. This cuts across other East African countries such as Rwanda and Uganda which are weather-sensitive.
You might also have to take into consideration the wildlife migration from Serengeti National Park to the Maasai mara game drive. It is the most epic, and the most anticipated live wildlife adventure activity where predators wait patiently to prey on the wildebeests and other antelopes that often cross over due to the change in seasons.
