Saddle Billed Stork in Lake Mburo National Park. Uganda Tour Destinations. Discovery Journeys. 4-Day Uganda Gorilla Tour
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Less Explored Uganda Tour Destinations

Uganda is a landlocked Country located in East Africa.  It is a renowned wildlife destination however many Uganda Tour destinations have not been fully explored. Mountain gorilla and chimpanzee trekking destinations in Uganda are the most sought-after Uganda tour destinations. Uganda is home to half of the mountain gorilla population remaining on the entire planet. Mountain Gorillas live in the forested mountains in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Southwestern Uganda and the Virunga massif. The Virunga massif is a stretch of Volcanic mountains near the Uganda, Rwanda & DRC border.

Bwindi Impenetrable  National Park has 25 habituated mountain gorilla families. They are distributed in the different sectors of the park. They include the Buhoma Sector in the north with 7 Gorilla families, the Ruhija sector in the east with 6 gorilla families, Rushaga & Nkurigo sectors in the south with 8 & 4 gorilla families respectively.

Chimpanzee trekking destinations in Uganda are also remarkable, especially Kibale National Park. Chimpanzees have over 98% DNA similar to humans making them man’s closest relatives. There are several Uganda Tour Destinations where you can trek to the chimpanzees and other monkey species. They include Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park, Kalinzu Forest, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and others.

All the above mentioned Uganda Tour destinations are remarkable but the country has more to offer. Several other less-traveled Uganda tour destinations offer more exclusive and intimate safari experiences. They include the following;

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is located in western Uganda. It is among the smallest but very diverse protected areas in Uganda. This and Kidepo Valley National Park are the only two national parks in Uganda with zebras. Giraffes, hippos, buffaloes, waterbucks, and antelopes are also present in Lake Mburo National Park.

This park is home to several bird species and is among the best birding Uganda safari destinations. The park is strategically located along the western circuit route and can be visited on the way to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is surrounded by farms of the native Ankole people who are predominant cattle keepers. The Ankole people rear Ankole long-horned cattle a prominent cattle breed that is restricted to Uganda. On a community visit there you experience the cattle-keeping process and get a chance to milk cows. 

Lake Mburo National Park is best explored on game drives, nature walks, horse riding, boat cruises, and cycling. Our 10 Days Uganda Discovery Journeys Adventure features this park and it is among our best Uganda safari adventures.

Semiliki National Park

This beautiful national park is located in western Uganda in the Semuliki Valley of the Great Rift Valley. The park has a diverse ecosystem but the most outstanding is the lowland tropical forest. Semuliki is home to over 440 Bird species and 53 mammals. Several primates occur here and notable ones include black and white colobus monkeys, red red-tailed monkeys among others.

Apart from wildlife, Semuliki Valley National Park has hot springs that are truly iconic. The ever-heated water sprouts out the earth’s surface with pressure at the female Hot Spring. Tourists who visit Semuliki boil eggs in the hot springs water for under 5 minutes. It is a great experiment to try out while visiting the park.

You can engage in various safari activities exclusively on a visit to Semuliki. They include nature walks, birding tours, game drives in the reserve, and a boat cruise on Lake Albert. There you get to see the various wildlife species the park has. It is easy to incorporate a visit to Semuliki on a Uganda Discovery Journeys adventure. From Kibale National Park you can visit Semuliki and explore the park before proceeding to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You would need at least 12 to 14 days for a Uganda safari featuring Semuliki Valley. 

Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla Park is the other mountain gorilla trekking destination in Uganda. It is also located in southwestern Uganda with one habituated gorilla family. Mgahinga Gorilla Park is the extension of the Virunga massif on the Ugandan side. It has 3 iconic Virunga volcanoes that include Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura & Mount Sabyinyo. These mountains are attractions but also ecosystems and home to several wildlife species with mountain gorillas being the most outstanding. 

What makes gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla Park exclusive is the presence of only one gorilla family. Gorilla trekking is strictly restricted to only 8 individuals a day. This means that in Mgahinga only 8 people get to visit the park for a gorilla trekking on a busy day. If you are fortunate in the low tourist season you could end up trekking to the mountain gorillas exclusively.

Other notable wildlife species here include golden monkeys, birds, and plant vegetation species. All these and the exclusivity of the Park make it one of the best Uganda Tour destinations. At Discovery Journeys, we mainly aim to explore such exclusive destinations. Mgahinga is therefore among our most recommended Uganda Safari destinations for mountain gorilla and golden monkey trekking, birding, and mountain climbing.

Pian Upe Reserve

Pian Upe Reserve is located in Eastern Uganda along the less traveled North Eastern tourism circuit. The reserve has a unique ecosystem similar to that of Kidepo Valley National Park. Pian Upe Reserve has had wildlife-human conflicts where several wildlife species went extinct because of human activities like poaching.

There have been efforts from the Uganda Wildlife Authority to restore the reserve and its wildlife. With this, several species have been reintroduced to the reserve. Some of the notable safari animals in Pian Upe include giraffes, Roan antelopes, elands, Kobs, and birds. Many of these can be seen while on game drives or guided nature walks in the reserve.

Pian Upe is in the process of being upgraded to a national park. Once this is done the reserve will be Uganda’s largest national park. We are confident that with time Pian Upe will top the list of the most visited Uganda Tour Destinations.

Kidepo Valley National Park

This is the most isolated national park located in the Karamoja region in northwestern Uganda. The park is truly iconic with beautiful landscapes and an undisturbed ecosystem.

Kidepo Valley National Park is located in a semi-desert area and some of the Rivers dry out in the dry season. The Narus Valley is the only place in the park with water and several animals gather here even on hot days to freshen up. The park is the least visited Uganda Tour Destination because of the time and distance it takes to get there. It takes a 9 to 10-hour drive from Kampala to Kidepo.  There is an option of flying with scheduled flight routines that depart with minimum numbers or charter flights that are a bit expensive.

Uganda Safari is Kidepo are fruitful and we highly recommend this to people with more time to explore the Pearl of Africa.

Karibu-Kilifair 2023. Discovery Journeys
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KARIBU-KILIFAIR 2023 is Here! This is What You Need to Know.

KARIBU-KILIFAIR is an International Tourism expo that is organized yearly in Tanzania with the main aim of promoting the destination East Africa. The fair features local companies in the Kilimanjaro Region, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and other leading safari destinations as tour operators and travel agents come together to showcase the major attractions and activities one can engage in while in the region.

This year’s KARIBU-KILIFAIR is scheduled for June 2nd to 4th and will take place at the Magereza Ground in Arusha. A number of stakeholders in the tourism industry including hotels, airlines, and tour operators have already signed up for the event ready to exchange and learn more.

There will be seminars where speakers from professions related to tourism will educate and inform people who will attend. Tourism-related businesses and topics will be largely discussed in interactive sessions. The major topics at this year’s KARIBU-KILIFAIR will be related but not limited to responsible tourism, hospitality, tourism social media marketing, and destination management among others.

Leading safari companies in Tanzania will also offer Fam trips to hosted buyers visiting the different destinations in the country. A number of itineraries have been tailor-made and they are more like Discovery Journeys Tanzania Safaris. They will feature leading destinations like Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Selous Game Reserve, and others. Here you will be able to see the different safari animals and landscapes and do site inspections of the different lodges for a better understanding of the destination Tanzania.

Our team leader will join this fair and the FAM trip on a 6 Days Tanzania safari featuring the big five mammals

How to Get to Tanzania

Tanzania can be accessed by both road and air transport. When traveling from within East Africa, from Uganda you can travel by bus to Nairobi and then connect to Tanzania. This is however a long drive and takes more than 12 hours. It is however very enjoyable as it goes through the countryside where you enjoy views of the different landscapes and get a glimpse of the people’s ways of life.

You can alternatively directly fly into the different airports the country has. They include Arusha Airport, Julius Nyerere International Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport, and Mwanza International Airport among others. From here you can then connect by road to the different destinations of interest.

What to Do in Tanzania

Tanzania is a leading wildlife, historic, and cultural safari destination with a number of attractions. Notable ones include Serengeti National Park home to a number of wildlife species including lions, elephants, leopards, and a number of bird species. Serengeti National Park is most famous for the wildebeest migration an animal mass movement of wildebeest, gazelles, and other antelopes from Serengeti to Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Serengeti National Park is among the featured destinations at the KARIBU-KILIFAIR and safari there and truly rewarding.

In Serengeti and other wildlife destinations, you can enjoy game drives, balloon Safaris, cultural visits, nature walks depending on your preferences. The Ngorongoro crater is another outstanding destination and while here you can also enjoy game drives. The Crater is an attraction in itself and has diverse landscapes including lakes. There are a number of wildlife species on the crater floor and safari game drives there are very rewarding.

Tanzania has a very long coastline with marine national parks and beautiful white sandy beaches. These are ideal to explore after the savanna wildlife safari.

Best Time To Visit

Destination Tanzania can be visited at any time of the year. For the best wildlife viewing, activities, and wildlife photography, it is best to visit in the dry season. This spans from June to September and from December to February. During this time you can catch up with the great wildebeest migration and enjoy overall big cats experiences.

The dry season also doubles as the peak tourist season and a number of lodges and camps get fully booked. You are therefore advised to book your safari in advance.

The wet season is also a great time to visit as it is easy to spot wildlife. The rains favor the growth of lush vegetation and major grazers do not therefore go far to look for pasture. This attracts the major predators in the land and they can therefore easily be spotted as well. Some tracks in the park however become impassable and could be a hindrance while doing game drives.

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Adventure. Discovery Journeys
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Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Trekking, The Ultimate Adventure

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking is among the best primate trekking adventures in the region. Despite her size, Rwanda is blessed with a variety of wildlife including the rare and endangered mountain gorillas. Gorilla tour experiences are a great part of Rwanda safari expeditions. Mountain Gorillas live in the forested mountains of Volcanoes National Park located in the western part of the country.

Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga conservation area and has the highest mountain gorilla population in the massif. There are 10 fully habituated mountain gorilla families in Park giving people a great opportunity to meet these rare primates.

About Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tours

It is important to book your Rwanda Gorilla trekking tours in advance. Only 98 gorilla permits available per day and they get fully booked especially in the peak tourist season. The festive season is also a busy travel season as people Visit Rwanda for mountain gorilla trekking adventures and overall safari experiences.

Rwanda Gorilla trekking Tours are tailor-made depending on one’s preference and the time they have in the country. The park is a 3-hour drive away from Kigali Rwanda’s capital and it is possible to do a 1 Day Rwanda Gorilla Tour with a pick-up at 4:30 am. This is to ensure that you get to the park headquarters by 7:00 am for a briefing about the trekking experience. After the briefing, it is when you are guided to the forested mountains for the gorilla adventure.

The hike to the gorillas takes 1 to 4 hours depending on their movement. Once you get to them you are allowed to stay in their presence for an hour observing and learning more. After this remarkable encounter, you are brought back to the park headquarters and later head back to Kigali. You can manage to catch a flight departing Kigali at 7:00 pm as you arrive in the city at 5:00 pm just in time for check-in.  This 1 Day Tour is most recommended for people with a tight schedule but would love to trek to the gorillas.

Other Rwanda Tour Options

The 2 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour is another great option. It is relaxed with an overnight in Volcanoes National Park ahead of the gorilla trek the following day. The 2-day tour starts with a Kigali city tour for those who have never visited Kigali. In case you have already explored Kigali city you can directly be driven to the park for other simple tour activities. These include a gorilla guardian village tour or a Visit to the Ellen Campus of the Dian Fossey Fund.

A nature walk along the twin lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo is another great option you can look at. Any option you choose makes your 2-day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour engaging. On Day 2 it is when you go for the gorilla trekking adventure and later be driven back to Kigali.

The 4-Day Rwanda Tour gives you a chance to track mountain gorillas twice or opt for the golden monkey trek. Golden Monkeys are rare primates that are endemic to the Virunga massif. With this, Volcanoes National Park Rwanda is one of the best places to see them. Rwanda Safaris of more than 5 days involve visiting other destinations in Rwanda including Nyungwe Forest and Akagera National Park.

Gorilla Trekking Rules & Regulations

There are set mountain gorilla trekking rules and regulations in Rwanda and other mountain gorilla parks. These are primarily aimed at protecting the mountain gorillas that have over 95% DNA similar to humans. Being among man’s closest relatives, mountain gorillas can easily contract communicable illnesses like flu. For this reason, people with severe cases of flu are not allowed to track mountain gorillas.

It is a Must to keep a 7-meter distance away from mountain gorillas. You are also not supposed to touch mountain gorillas as they can get irritated and charge at you. Flash photography and noise are strictly not allowed on a mountain gorilla trekking expedition. Only 8 tourists are allowed to track a mountain gorilla family per day and once you get to the mountain gorillas you only spend an hour in their presence. In one hour, it is when you take photos, observe, and get to learn more about these incredible apes.

Individuals below the age of 15 are also not allowed to track gorillas. They are young and minors and may fail to manage the hike through the forested mountains. The gorilla trekking experience is physically demanding and requires a bit of physical fitness that minors may not manage. Individuals with serious health complications if they insist on trekking are advised to hire porters or sedan chairs to rescue them in case they fail.

What To Wear

It is also recommended to wear clothes that are not brightly colored. Given that gorilla trekking is done in the forested mountains, rainfall is very unpredictable and can occur at any time of the day. It is therefore highly recommended to wear waterproof pants and have a raincoat or poncho. It is also important to have hand gloves and gaiters.

We always share a detailed packing list with several recommended items you can have on your gorilla trek. This helps you to plan accordingly.

Rwanda Gorilla Families

There are currently 12 fully habituated gorilla families that are open to tourism.  Each gorilla family has a different setup and individual gorilla numbers. Some have infant or baby gorillas while the majority have a mixture of infants, juveniles, adult females, and their leader, the silverback.

You can request to trek to a gorilla family with infants in case it is what you prefer. Gorilla family trekking allocation is however solely determined by the head Rangers but giving them a heads-up can help. 

Our Rwanda Safari adventures are open and you can join in for your ultimate mountain gorilla trekking Discovery Journeys.

Mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park. Congo Gorilla Trekking Adventures. Discovery Journeys
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Congo Gorilla Trekking Adventures and Wildlife Tours

Congo gorilla trekking adventures are among the desired primate safari adventures. The country is among the less explored wildlife safari destinations and offers exclusive wildlife safari experiences. Congo has several national parks but the gorilla national parks in the eastern part of the country are more adventurous. The Democratic Republic of Congo has two main gorilla species that are the Eastern lowland and Mountain gorillas. Congo gorilla trekking adventures to meet any of the two gorilla species is rewarding.  It gives you an insight into the life of the gorillas, some of the man’s closest primates.

Virunga National Park Gorilla Trekking

Virunga National Park is Africa’s oldest national park having been established in 1925. The park is part of the Virunga massif with 5 of the eight mountain gorillas that are home to mountain gorillas. The national park area has over the years had security challenges. Virunga National Park is a great safari destination for Congo gorilla trekking adventures despite these challenges. 

It has ten habituated gorilla families that are open to tourists. Mountain gorillas have over 95% DNA similar to humans. With this, there are set rules and regulations that people trekking to them Must follow. This is intended to protect mountain gorillas as they can easily contract communicable diseases and adapt human behavior when much exposed. People trekking are therefore advised to keep at least 7 meters away from the mountain gorillas when in their presence. One is also not allowed to touch a mountain gorilla but rather withdraw in case they come close.

When the Coronavirus pandemic hit the world, Virunga National Park and all primate parks in East Africa were closed. World economies gradually opened up but the primates especially mountain gorilla national parks were last to be opened up. The mountain gorilla parks in East Africa include Volcanoes National Park Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable, and Mgahinga Gorilla Parks in Uganda. Even when they opened up, there were set strict rules and regulations one had to follow observing standard operating procedures.

Virunga National Park's Current State

Virunga National Park is currently closed and Congo gorilla trekking adventures there are not possible. The situation however is continuously monitored and the park will eventually open. There are several safari itineraries you can look at when planning a visit to Virunga.

All gorilla trekking adventures to Virunga were scheduled when the park closed to ensure one’s safety. The 3-day Virunga Tour is the least number of days you can visit the park. Other gorilla tour options to the park include a 4-day Mikeno Mist Safari and a double gorilla trekking depending on your interest.

Kahuzi Biega National Park Adventures

Kahuzi Biega National Park in the southern Kivu province is home to Eastern Lowland Gorillas. Eastern lowland gorillas are the biggest of the 4 gorilla subspecies and are endemic to Kahuzi Biega National Park. Just like mountain gorillas, eastern lowland gorillas live in families headed by a dominant male gorilla called Silverback. They are also vegetarian with 85% of the diet consisting of plant vegetation and shoots.

Congo gorilla trekking adventures to Kahuzi Biega National Park are very exclusive. The park has two habituated eastern lowland gorilla families that are open for tourism. There you hike the forested mountains and meet these giants in the jungle and observe them as they eat, relax, and go by their daily routine.

A visit to Kahuzi Biega enables you to explore other primate wildlife species in the area. You can visit the Lwiro Sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees that is home to these and several monkey species. 

Eastern Gorilla Habituation Experiences

For any gorilla family to be opened for tourism, it has to undergo the habituation process. This is done to ensure gorillas get used to human beings’ presence. Gorilla habituation is still ongoing in all gorilla parks including Kahuzi Biega National Park. There is an opportunity for you to join this process as you observe how rangers habituate gorillas. It starts early in the morning where you follow the eastern lowland gorillas right from their nests observing their routine.

The lowland gorilla habituation experience is rewarding and best for those seeking to understand how these apes manage in the jungle. On this experience once you get to the gorillas you can stay up to 4 hours in their presence.

There is also a mountain gorilla habituation experience in the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Our 3-day Gorilla habituation experience is the ideal tour option for this experience. We can however customize a safari for 6 to 10 days featuring both mountain and eastern lowland gorilla habituation experiences.

The Discovery Journeys Experience

Discovery Journeys and adventures to Congo mainly feature these gorilla trekking expeditions. We work with well-knowledgeable local guides who more than the gorillas share the culture and history of this great nation. Our primate safari calendar is open and this is the best time to book your Congo gorilla trekking adventures.

Our safari adventures go beyond the Congo to Kenya and Tanzania as well. These two countries are renowned savanna wildlife destination giants. They both have four of the Big five mammals and an ecosystem where the wildebeest migration takes place. Now that DRC is part of the East African Community, it is becoming easy to access the whole region. You can now book an East African safari adventure to the Congo for lowland gorilla trekking plus a visit to Masai Mara or Serengeti. 

Remember we customize our safari itineraries and they can be amended depending on your preference and convenience. Contact us for more details about any of these leading wildlife safari destinations in the region.

Kenya Safari Getaway Destinations. Discovery Journeys
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5 Best Kenya Safari Getaway Destinations

There are several Kenya Safari getaway destinations as the country is a top wildlife, cultural, and historic destination. Kenya is an East African tourism giant with key attractions that make it a top bucket list for many travelers. With over 20 protected areas, Kenya offers diverse and amazing safari experiences. Let us look at Discovery Journeys’ top Must Visit Kenya Safari getaway destinations for exclusive wildlife experiences.

The Giraffe Manor

The Giraffe Manor is a historic exclusive boutique hotel in Nairobi that was established in the 1930s. It is located in Nairobi on a 12-acre land and is home to the land’s tallest mammal, the giraffe. The Rothschild’s giraffe is the particular giraffe species resident at the Manor. The giraffe Manor started as a hunting lodge after it was established in 1932. In the 1970’s it slowly transcended into a conservation center for the then-endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. After years of conservation and breeding programs, the number of Rothschild giraffes has steadily increased over the years.

The Rothschild’s giraffe experience is a key attraction at the giraffe manor. While here you get to enjoy one-on-one moments with these giants feeding, interacting, and getting to know more about them. The resident giraffes at the Manor visit in the morning and evening hours and are habituated and therefore used to human beings’ presence. Here you get to feed them or dine with them as they move their long beautiful heads through the large windows at the Manor.

Near the Giraffe Manor is the Giraffe Center. This is a sanctuary that has a forest where the giraffes get to enjoy their natural setting. You can enjoy a true safari setting in the city center while at the Giraffe Manor and Giraffe Center. You are however required to book accommodation at the giraffe Manor to fully experience the wildlife activities here. The Giraffe Center experience is free for guests at the Giraffe Manor and costs $15 per person for walk-in visitors. The Giraffe Center is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Masai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara National Reserve is the most popular safari destination in Kenya. It is located about a 6-hour drive from Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city. Masa Mara is the finest and ultimate savanna wildlife destination with a variety of wildlife species. It is most famous for the wildebeest migration, an annual mass movement from Serengeti National Park in northern Tanzania. This migration involves about 1 million wildebeests, over 200,000 zebras, Thompson gazelles, and other antelopes. The animals move in search of fresh pastures on a journey that sees them overcome several obstacles including predator big cats and the Nile crocodiles in the Grumeti and Mara Rivers.

Kenya Safari getaway and adventures to Masai Mara National Reserve are ideal and must-do while in Kenya. There you get to see the various wildlife species in the park. You can also catch up with the wildebeest Mara River Crossings if you visit around July to August. While in Masai Mara you can engage in activities including game drives balloon safaris, Community visits, and nature walks.

You can have a Kenya Safari Getaway to Masai Mara in 3 days. In case you want more time to explore the reserve, you can look at a 7-day Kenya safari. The safari features this and other beautiful destinations in Kenya. Even outside the wildebeest migration window, you can still enjoy overall safari game drives in Masai Mara featuring the big five mammals, big cats, and birds.

Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National Park is the only safari national park in the city’s proximity where you can enjoy safari game drives. The park is home to several wildlife including Black Rhinos, lions, giraffes, hyenas, and over 400 bird species. Kenya safari getaway adventures there are ideal for those with limited time but would like to explore Kenya’s wildlife.

You can do a day excursion to the park arriving early enough for a game drive. The park is also ideal for corporate companies interested in team building in the African wilderness. You can also have sundowners, bush breakfasts, Dinners, and many other excursions.

Nairobi National Park can be explored at any time of the year.  Because of its proximity to the city, it is among the cheapest Kenya safari getaway destinations. There are many hotel options in the city ranging from Budget to Luxury where you can base from. 

Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru is a great Rift Valley lake in Kenya located about a 3-hour drive from Nairobi Kenya’s Capital city. The Rift Valley Lake is a great birding safari destination and is famous for flamingos. The flamingo population at Lake Nakuru reduced but the Lake is still an excellent birding destination. It is home to over 500 bird species including great white pelicans, grey-crowned cranes, and western reef herons among others.

Beyond the birds Lake Nakuru has big safari animals that you can see while on game drives. They include Rhinos (both black and white Rhino species), giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, buffaloes lions, and hyenas among others. All these can be seen on safari game drives in the park. If you only want to explore Nakuru National Park then a 2 day tour is enough. You can transfer from Nairobi arriving in the park early enough for a lunch break. Spend the afternoon on game drives seeing the major wildlife species including birds. The following morning have a morning safari and return to Nairobi arriving in the afternoon.

You can alternatively take on a combined safari featuring other beautiful wild places and Kenya safari getaway destinations of interest. The 6-day Kenya Safari with Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, and Lake Naivasha would be a great adventure to take on.

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is one iconic destination that pops up every time top wildlife destinations in Kenya are listed. It is the land of the giants and the best place in Kenya to see elephants. This national park is located about a 3.5 to 4-hour drive from Nairobi, Kenya’s capital. Amboseli is another great Kenya safari getaway destination where you can see four of the big five mammals. They include buffaloes, lions, leopards though rarely seen, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest among others.

The park is home to over 420 bird species making it one of the best Kenya Birding safari destinations. Notable birds to see on birding safari in Amboseli include the African Jacana, greater flamingos, long-toed lapwing, yellow-necked spurfowl, and others. The great view of Mount Kilimanjaro also makes Kenya Safari Getaway experiences in Amboseli remarkable. Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain. Even though it is located in Tanzania, it can best be seen on the Kenyan side in Amboseli National Park. Nothing beats a Kenya safari getaway in Amboseli having game drives with a view of Mount Kilimanjaro in the background.

There are many more Kenya safari destinations that you can visit and at Discovery Journeys we tailor-make itineraries to feature Many of these. Join our adventures not just to Kenya but other outstanding destinations in the region including Rwanda for mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park, Uganda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Zebras in Lake Mburo National Park. Uganda wildlife Tours
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Uganda Wildlife Tours to Lake Mburo National Park

Uganda wildlife tours are most popular when featuring mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. The country is a leading primate safari destination with 3 major primate national parks. They include Kibale National Park famous for chimpanzees, Bwindi Impenetrable & Mgahinga Gorilla Parks home to mountain gorillas. Uganda has several other national parks including Lake Mburo National Park that is pretty outstanding.  The park is among the most underrated Uganda wildlife tours and safari destinations.

Lake Mburo National Park is located in western Uganda in the Kiruhura district. With a land area of 370 square kilometers, it is among the smallest national parks in Uganda. The park is home to diverse wildlife species including those that do not occur in other safari destinations in Uganda. It was named after Lake Mburo, an iconic attraction within the park. Several other lakes within the park form a 50-kilometer wetland that is home to a number of wildlife species. 

Wildlife in Lake Mburo National Park

Zebras are among the notable safari animals you will see while on Uganda wildlife tours in Lake Mburo National Park. This and Kidepo Valley National Park are the only two Uganda Safari destinations with zebras. Lake Mburo and Pian Upe are also the only places in Uganda where you can see the Elands.

Other major antelopes including Impalas, bushbucks, and sitatungas, are also present here. Hippos, buffaloes, and giraffes are also seen while on game drives in the park. For birders, Lake Mburo National Park is home to over 300 bird species and the best place in Uganda to see acacia-dwelling birds.

Safari Activities in Lake Mburo National Park

Game drives

Game drives are the leading activities done in Lake Mburo National Park. The park is one of the best places to see the various antelope species including the Oribi. It has the highest population of Elands which are the biggest antelope species. An early morning and evening game drive will reward you with sightings of the major safari animals the park has.

Lake Mburo National Park is also among the 3 destinations in Uganda with Giraffes, the land’s tallest animals. These are often seen towering over the park and offer enjoyable experiences. There are many trails in the park with safari specials that you can follow depending on your interest.

You can also opt for night game drives to see nocturnal animals. Night game drives here give you more chances of seeing the leopards as they are most active at night. They start at 7:00 pm and last up to 3 hours. Other notable animal species you can spot here include porcupines, genets, and bush babies among others. Night game drives are rewarding and with the size of Lake Mburo National Park, you get to explore a lot.

Nature Walks

Nature walks are top-rated safari activities on Uganda wildlife tours to Lake Mburo National Park. These bring you closer to the wildlife as you get to see a variety of animals nearby. The park is safe for nature walks as there are few predators here. Leopards are the only major predators present but are rarely seen. This has allowed the antelopes and other major grazers to thrive as they have no serious threat.

The best time for nature walks in Lake Mburo is early morning as you get to see the animals start their day. They start between 6:30 to 7:00 am and last for 2 Hours or more depending on one’s interests. Evening times are great for photography as well and if lucky you can see the beautiful sunset over the horizon.

Birding

Lake Mburo National Park is a great birding safari destination. On top of the many bird species the park has, the period from November to May has migratory birds visiting from the area. Some of these come from as far as Europe and can be sighted while on birding tours in the park.

Notable birds to look out for while in the park include African finfoot, Papyrus gonolok, the rare shoebill stork, Saddle-billed Stork, Black-billed bustard, and African wattled lapwing among others. Birding safaris in Lake Mburo are more enjoyable with the sighting of the different open savanna and wetland wildlife species the park has.

Ankole Cultural Experience

Several Ankole communities around the park are predominantly cattle keepers. On a visit to the Ankole community, you will get to know more about cattle keeping as you are taken through the major practices and activities done to ensure the safety and wellness of cattle. You also get to participate if you like by milking a cow.

The  Ankole Long-horned cattle breed is native and reared by the Ankole people. It was named after the long distinctive horns that the Ankole cows have. There are also other breeds with shorter horns but the Long-horned cattle is more impressive.

Boat Cruise

A boat cruise along Lake Mburo is among the most anticipated activities while on Uganda Wildlife Tours in the park. The lake is an attraction in itself and offers views of several animal species along the lake shores. You also get to see several bird species including Kingfishers, African Finfoot, and fish eagles among others. The 2-hour boat cruise on Lake Mburo is an added adventure and is highly recommended.

Lake Mburo National Park is not visited by many people making it an exclusive Uganda wildlife tour destination.  Every activity you do here is done exclusively with no crowds and interference from other people.

Horse Riding

Horse riding is an adventurous safari activity done in the park. This is the only national park in Uganda where you will enjoy horse riding alongside savanna wildlife species. The horse riding trails are within the park and allow you to see the different wildlife species. Horse riding is organized by Mihingo Lodge, a luxury lodge just outside the park. It is advisable to book this in advance as it is highly demanded and priority is given to guests at Mihingo Lodge.

Sport Fishing

The presence of Five Lakes in Lake Mburo National Park makes it a great destination for sport fishing. This adventure sport is enjoyed with great scenic views of the surrounding. It is also important to pre-book this and have your own fishing equipment.

Cycling

Cycling is another incredible adventure you can enjoy in Lake Mburo National Park. These feature trails where you can see several wildlife. Cycling adventures are led by park rangers who share more knowledge about the national park. Cycling through the savannas amidst the sighting of safari animals is incredible and creates beautiful safari memories.

Lake Mburo National Park lies along the western tourism circuit. It is an ideal stopover when going for or coming from mountain gorilla trekking adventures in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. We usually recommend 2 nights here to fully explore the park but a night is also good enough.

Uganda wildlife tours here can be enjoyed any time of the year. The dry season from June to September offers great wildlife viewing and photography opportunities. The wet season on the other hand favors the growth of lush vegetation and you do not have to drive long distances to see the major safari animals.

Other Uganda Wildlife Tour Destinations

Other Uganda wildlife tour destinations include Kibale National Park located in western Uganda. It is popularly known as the primate capital of the world because of its primate diversity. The Park is home to 13 primates including chimpanzees and it is the best chimpanzee trekking destination in East Africa. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park located in southwestern Uganda is home to mountain gorillas with four sectors each with habituated mountain gorilla families.

Mgahinga Gorilla Park also located in southwestern Uganda is the third primate national park. It has one mountain gorilla family called Nyakagezi. Several Uganda wildlife tours often feature these three national parks and other savanna parks like Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

For a more adventurous Uganda wildlife tour, you can book a 7 or 10-day Uganda Safari featuring Lake Mburo National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale, and Murchison Falls National Parks. We tailor-make our safari itineraries and you can always choose to add or remove any safari activities depending on your preference.

Tanzania Safari Tours to Mahale Mountains National Park. Discovery Journeys
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Exclusive Destinations for Tanzania Safari Tours

Tanzania safari tours are currently among the most demanded wildlife adventures. At 365,756 square kilometers, Tanzania is the second largest country in the East African community. With this size comes the advantage of large wildlife-protected areas, diverse wildlife species, and numbers. There are several world-renowned wildlife safari destinations in Tanzania making the country among the most visited in East Africa.

The country is flocked by many adventure travelers in the peak season from June to September. December and January are busy travel months for Tanzania wildlife tour destinations like Serengeti National Park. With such tourist numbers travelers interested in exclusivity do not enjoy their Tanzania safari Tours. There are several wildlife destinations in Tanzania where you can still have exclusive Tanzania safari tours. They include the following.

Mahale Mountains

Mahale Mountains National Park in Northwestern Tanzania is an incredible chimpanzee trekking destination. The park is among Tanzania’s most isolated wildlife destinations and is home to chimpanzees and eight other primates. 

Mahale Mountains National Park has over 800 chimpanzees with habituated communities of about 60 individuals that are open to tourism. Just like other chimpanzee trekking destinations, chimpanzee tracking here is done on foot. Tanzania safari tours to the Mahale Mountains are truly exclusive and exceptional. 

The Forested mountainous park is adjacent to Lake Tanganyika where you can have a boat cruise safari. Other safari activities you can engage in while here include forest walks, and birding safaris. 

Mahale Mountains National Park can easily be accessed by air transport. There are scheduled flights to the park area twice a week operated by Safari Air Link. You can also opt for charter at an extra cost.

Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park is the second largest national park in Tanzania located in the southern part of the country. The park covers a land area of about 7,809 square kilometers of open savanna grasslands and woodland vegetation. Ruaha is one of the best places where you can enjoy private and exclusive Tanzania Safari tours. The park has four of the big five mammals including elephants, buffaloes, lions, and Leopards. Other big safari animals present include giraffes, Hippos, zebras, Kudus, and Roan antelopes among others. Wild dogs, cheetahs, and hyenas are also present in Ruaha though rarely seen.

There are well-developed game drive trails in the park that you follow to see the major wildlife species. Nature walks, and balloon safaris are other adventurous ways of enjoying Tanzania safari tours in Ruaha National Park. Ruaha is located 504 kilometers from Dar es Salaam and it takes about 10 hours to get there by road. You would need a minimum of 3 days to Visit Ruaha with two days for transfers to and from the park. For a better Discovery Journeys adventure here we recommend at least 4 or 5 nights.  

Ruaha National Park largely remains exclusive and private even in the middle of the peak tourist season. Ruaha is best accessed by air transfer though this comes at an extra cost. You can connect to the park on scheduled and charter flights from Dar es Salaam and from the northern part of Tanzania to Ruaha.

The Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro crater is a large volcanic caldera located in Northern Tanzania. It is believed to have been formed million years ago when a volcanic mountain erupted collapsing on itself. With this, it formed a Long depression and it is currently the largest unfilled Volcanic caldera. The Ngorongoro crater is an attraction in itself and was listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The crater floor has several landscapes with lakes, Rivers, and Volcanoes.

Ngorongoro has several vegetation types including open savannas and woodland in the highlands. These are home to various wildlife species including elephants, lions, birds, and wildebeest among others. The Ngorongoro crater is an enclosed feature that is naturally exclusive, and game drives on the crater floor are intimate.

Tanzania safari tours to Ngorongoro are highly recommended for those seeking exclusive experiences like honeymooners. A visit here can be supplemented with a safari to Serengeti National Park for the wildebeest migration. The Wildebeest migration passes the Ngorongoro conservation area but at the crater rim from around February to March. It is also the calving period where many births are witnessed. The calving period however attracts many predators that can be seen live in action hunting.  Our 5 Days Tanzania Safari is the most recommended option to explore the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti ecosystems.

Nyerere National Park

Formerly known as Selous Game Reserve, Nyerere National Park is an iconic and exclusive safari destination in Southern Tanzania. The park covers a total land area of 50,000 square kilometers and it is also a World Heritage Site. Nyerere National Park is a true definition of the less traveled paths with diverse wildlife and ecosystems. The Miombo woodlands are some of the unique ecosystems here and are home to major wildlife species.

Notable safari animals you can see here include buffaloes, Elephants, Giraffes, Zebras, and Rhinos among others. It is one of the few destinations in East Africa with the highest population of different wildlife species. Trophy hunting is still done in the park but very much restricted to the southern part. Nyerere National Park’s northern part was set aside for photography safaris and there you get to capture the various wildlife species.

You can engage in several safari activities here including nature walks, balloon safaris, boat trips on the Rufiji River, and game drives among others. Nyerere National Park can be accessed by road, air, and train but air transport is the most effective one. The park’s location in the wild south makes it remote, taking a couple of hours to get there by road. It takes a 5 to 6-hour drive from Dar es Salaam to the nearest entry point of the park. Due to the poor road conditions sometimes the road becomes impassable, especially in the rainy season.

Other Safari Tour Destinations

There are still many more notable exclusive safari destinations where you can enjoy Tanzania Safari tours. At Discovery Journeys, we aim to explore these destinations following customized itineraries depending on one’s preference and convenience. You can check out our safari itineraries to Tanzania’s wild south and other exclusive destinations in East Africa featuring Mountain Gorilla trekking and much more.

You can also join our Kenya safaris to Masai Mara or Amboseli National Park. 

L'hoest Monkey In Nyungwe National Park. Rwanda Wildlife Tours
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Rwanda Wildlife Tours To Nyungwe National Park

Rwanda Wildlife tours to Nyungwe National Park are a must-do.  The park is one of the most exclusive wildlife destinations in Rwanda and East Africa in general. Nyungwe National Park is located in South Western Rwanda about a 6 to 7 hours drive from Kigali Rwanda’s capital city. It protects Rwanda’s largest forest and one of the oldest rainforests in Africa. Nyungwe is home to several wildlife species making it a top destination for Rwanda Wildlife Tours.

Nyungwe National Park covers a land area of 1,019 square Kilometers. It is diverse and it is on this basis that it was recently inscribed as a World Heritage Site. It is also among Rwanda’s largest protected areas. The forested national park is mountainous and consists of Afro-montane forests, Swamps, bamboo, grasslands, and bogs that are all habitats for several wildlife species.

There are 13 primates, over 300 bird species, 85 mammal species, 38 reptiles, 32 amphibians, and over 1060 plant species. On Rwanda wildlife tours to Nyungwe you, therefore, have several activities you can engage in, and they include the following. 

Chimpanzee Trekking Tours

Chimpanzee trekking is the main safari activity done in Nyungwe National Park. There are two main chimpanzee communities here that are habituated and open to tourism. One community is at Uwinka the main park headquarters and the other is at Cyamudongo near Lake Kivu. Chimpanzees share over 98% DNA similar to humans making them man’s closest primates. It is therefore adventurous to take on Rwanda Wildlife tours to Nyungwe to meet these human relatives. 

The chimpanzee Trekking Experience

Nyungwe Chimpanzee trekking starts early morning with a briefing at the park headquarters. To avoid wasting time it is important to book accommodation near the sector or community where you will be tracking. You can however still make it regardless of where you have accommodation. 

Trekking to the chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest takes 2 to 4 hours of hiking in the forest. Here you get to see several wildlife, especially birds and small reptiles. There are usually park rangers who go ahead of time and they communicate with the ranger guides once the chimps have been located. Once you get to them you are only allowed one hour in their presence learning more and taking photos. Later you are brought back to the park headquarters.

Chimpanzees are highly mobile compared to other primates. They tend to move from one place to another sometimes jumping from one tree branch to another. Chimpanzees communicate by making different sounds and calls amongst themselves. Expert ranger guides have trekked these forests for years and can tell the next move by sound and body language.

Colobus monkey and other primate treks

On these primate treks in Nyungwe forest, you will get to see the other 12 primates the park has. They include red-tailed monkeys, Olive baboons, Grey-cheeked mangabey, Silver monkeys, Colobus, and Vervet Monkeys among others. Nyungwe National Park has about 25% of Africa’s primates, and Rwanda Wildlife tours featuring any of them are unmatched.

The best time to start these primate treks is in the early morning but afternoon sessions can work as well.

Night Nature Walks

Nyungwe National Park has several nocturnal animals that can be explored on a night nature walk. The night is the best time to listen to the sounds and even the smallest species including crickets. Night nature walks in Nyungwe start at 7:00 pm and end at 9:00 pm.  In the two hours of hiking, you enjoy the Jungle and get to feel the real African wilderness.

Day Nature Walks

Several well-developed trails in the Nyungwe forest are hiked during the day. A number of these take 2 to 3 hours or more depending on one’s interest. The canopy walk is among the most spectacular as you hike East Africa’s major canopy walkway. The Canopy hangs several meters in the sky. On this adventurous walk, you are able to see the wildlife species that prefer staying in the top canopy layers. You also enjoy the great scenic views of the great Albertine Rift and some of the nearby Rift Valley lakes.

There is also a guided nature walk to the waterfalls in the middle of the forest. Here you mainly enjoy the scenery from the forest and the waterfalls.

Birding Wildlife Tours

Nyungwe National Park is Rwanda’s most Important Birding Area and the best birding safari destination in the country. The park is home to several Albertine Rift endemics and many species restricted to the central African forests.

Notable birds in the Nyungwe forest include the Rwenzori Nightjar, the Great Blue Turaco, Rwenzori Turaco, the Regal sunbird, the Kivu-Ground Thrush, and Congo the bay Owlet among others. Birding trips to Nyungwe are among the most important Rwanda Wildlife tours to be part of while in Nyungwe.

The best time for birding safaris in Nyungwe is from March to May. This is because birding in Nyungwe depends on calls and these months are when birds are more vocal. Migratory birds are also present in the park from November to May giving you a chance to see several species. 

Other Rwanda Wildlife Tours

Rwanda offers other incredible wildlife experiences. These include primate treks to the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park. You can also be part of the big five safari experiences in Akagera National Park. Akagera has all the most desired safari animals including both black and white rhinos.

All Rwanda Wildlife tour destinations have several bird species and are ideal for birding tours. We customize itineraries to all these depending on your preference and convenience. To have the best of Rwanda we recommend a 5 or 7-day Rwanda wildlife safari. The 10-day Rwanda Safari option is also great featuring the 3 National Parks in Rwanda. Contact Us now to start planning for your next Rwanda wildlife tours.

Baby Lowland Gorilla in Kahuzi Biega National Park. Discovery Journeys. 5 Days Lowland gorilla habituation Tour
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Lowland Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Kahuzi Biega National Park

Lowland gorilla trekking safaris are exclusive to Kahuzi Biega National Park. Eastern lowland gorillas are part of the great ape family and are the biggest of all the four gorilla subspecies. They are endemic to Kahuzi Biega National Park meaning it is the only place you can enjoy lowland gorilla trekking safaris.

Kahuzi Biega National Park is located in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in the Southern Kivu province. The park was gazetted in 1970 and is home eastern lowland gorillas, golden monkeys many other wildlife species. It is because of this diversity that the park is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. 

Lowland gorilla trekking safaris are the main activity done in the park for an encounter with the rare primates. 

About Eastern lowland Gorillas

Eastern lowland gorillas live in families that are headed by a dominant male called Silverback. To get and sustain that position, they fight and challenge any male contenders. Eastern lowland gorillas also for territories when they encounter another gorilla family.

The eastern lowland gorilla diet comprises plant vegetation and shoots. Lowland gorillas rarely drink water as the plant vegetation is covered with dew given the temperature of the place. There are currently 14 lowland gorilla families in Kahuzi Biega National Park but only two are open to tourism. The two families are Chimanuka and Bonanne with 10 and 30 individual gorillas respectively.

Only 8 individuals are allowed to trek to each gorilla family a day staying in their presence for an hour. 

The Trekking Experience

You are expected to report to the park headquarters for a briefing about the lowland gorilla trekking safari. Here you are given guidelines including rules and regulations while in the park and in the presence of the gorillas.

The two lowland gorilla trekking experiences in Kahuzi Biega include the normal trek and lowland gorilla habituation experience. On the normal lowland gorilla trek you hike for about 1 to 2 hours and once you meet the gorillas are allowed to stay in their presence for one hour.

You are required to keep at least 7 meters away from the lowland gorillas. This is aimed at reducing contact or threatening the territorial integrity of the gorillas as they can easily feel threatened and charge at you. Gorillas can also easily contract communicable illness from humans so the distance helps to manage these.

The Eastern lowland gorilla habituation experience is more adventurous as it gives you up to 4 hours in their presence. This is ideal for primatologists who seek to learn more about primates. It is also recommended for photographers who want to capture more details about these primates.

Best time for Lowland Gorilla Trekking safaris

The dry months from June to September and from December to February are the best times for lowland gorilla trekking safaris. With minimal rainfall disturbances, it Is easy to move through the park trails. Wildlife Photography is also great in the dry season with the natural lighting and no rainfall interference in the process.

You can still enjoy the lowland gorilla trekking safaris during the wet months.  The overall weather condition of the park is wet and rainfall is unpredictable even in the dry season. It is therefore recommended to pack appropriately even in the dry season.

Accommodation options

Bukavu has the best accommodation options to base from when going for lowland gorilla trekking safaris. These range from budget to deluxe and have incredible views of Lake Kivu. They include Orchid’s Safari Hotel Club, Panorama Hotel, and Hotel Elizabeth among others.

It takes about an hour to drive from Bukavu to Kahuzi Biega National Park. The Democratic Republic of Congo is generally less explored and has a lot to offer. It is a primate trekking destination giant with the major primate species and Primate Discovery Journeys and adventures to the country are most recommended.

You would need at least 3 days to visit Kahuzi Biega National Park for lowland gorillas. In case you have more time you can explore more destinations in the area including Ijwi Island and Lwiro Sanctuary. 

We have curated several Congo safari itineraries to different destinations in the country and other less-explored destinations in East Africa. Follow us for more of these and updates from your favorite wild places.

Other Gorilla Treks

Rwanda and Uganda offer other opportunities for gorilla trekking. These differ from Kahuzi Biega National Park’s lowland gorillas and are home to Mountain Gorillas. Mountain gorillas in Rwanda live in Volcanoes National Park. The park together with Mgahinga and Virunga National Parks are part of the Virunga conservation area.

Virunga National Park is however currently closed because of insecurity in the park area. Volcanoes and Mgahinga Gorilla Parks on the other hand are open and you can visit them for Mountain Gorilla Tours. They can be accessed by both road and air transport. Air transport to the parks is by scheduled or charter flights from the major airports of the respective countries.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda is the gorilla trekking destination. This has the highest mountain gorilla population with four gorilla trekking sectors. For a better understanding of Eastern lowland and mountain gorillas, we recommend a gorilla trekking safari adventure featuring the 2 species. This can start with either of the destinations depending on your schedule. Contact Us to start planning your ultimate gorilla safari adventure. You can also visit our other featured destinations including Masai Mara in Kenya. 

Kenya Wildlife safari with Mountain Kilimanjaro in the Background
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Must Visit Kenya Wildlife Safari Destinations

Kenya wildlife destinations top the bucket lists of many adventurous travelers. Kenya is located in East Africa bordering the Indian Ocean and Somalia in the East, Uganda in the west, South Sudan in the North West, and Tanzania in the south. The country is East Africa’s biggest economy and is also East Africa’s leading wildlife safari destination.

Kenya has over 30 national parks and reserves including marine wildlife national parks. These are home to several wildlife species and are key attractions to wildlife enthusiasts. Kenya Wildlife Safari destinations also have a rich cultural and historical background. This is thanks to the diverse culture and heritage of the people of Kenya. A combination of these makes Kenya wildlife safari experiences exceptional. It is no wonder many people keep traveling to the country yearly to discover more.

At Discovery Journeys, we customize safari adventures featuring exclusive destinations where one can have unforgettable experiences. Below are the top five Kenya Wildlife Safari destinations you Must visit while on a Kenya Safari.

Masai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara is the most famous Kenya wildlife safari destination. The reserve has savanna’s most desired wildlife species including the big five mammals, the big cats, and other safari specials. Notable safari animals you can spot on a Kenyan safari include giraffes, antelope species, elephants, and birds among others.

The reserve is most famous for its wildebeest migration. This is an annual mass movement of wildebeest, zebras, and Thompson gazelles from Serengeti National Park to Masai Mara in search of fresh pasture. It transcends from one month to another on a journey of life and death.

The wildebeest migration breeds life as during the calving period over 6,00 calves are born a day. The calving period is usually between February and March. Calves are primary targets of the deadly predators seeking survival. The calving period happens in Tanzania from November to March. It is from here the wildebeests continue on their quest spreading to the western part and eventually crossing over the Mara River to Masai Mara. The wildebeest cross the Mara River into Masai Mara in mid-June depending on the movement of the herds.

Mara River Crossings

The Mara River crossings are the most spectacular event on the wildebeest migration journey. The calves would have grown by now and those that survive the big cats now face the Nile crocodile challenge. Mara River has some of the deadliest crocodiles that eagerly await the migrating herds.

Masai Mara also has several predators and has one of the highest lion populations ranging from 800 to 900. These depend on the herbivores the Mara ecosystem has and the migration numbers allow them to hunt.

Other Masai Mara Safaris

On Kenya Wildlife Safari expeditions to Masai Mara, you enjoy game drives, nature walks, and balloon safaris.  All these safari adventures feature the wildebeest migration and other top wildlife attractions the reserve has.

The best time to Visit Masai Mara is from June to October for better wildlife viewing opportunities. This doubles as a peak tourist season and several safari lodges get fully booked.  It is therefore important to make your bookings in advance to avoid missing out.

Some of our top Discovery Journeys adventures to Masai Mara include an 8-day Safari. This is extensive and features Masai Mara and other Kenya wildlife safari destinations. The 4-day Masai Mara tour is also ideal for those with limited time but would love to explore the reserve.

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is among Kenya’s underrated safari destinations. The park is most famous for its herds of elephants and it is the best place to see the world’s largest land mammals. Amboseli offers better African elephant safari experiences than Masai Mara.

Beyond the elephants, Amboseli National Park has major savanna big mammals including buffaloes, lions, leopards, giraffes, and over 600 bird species. It has a reasonable number of flamingos and currently offers better chances of flamingo viewing than Lake Nakuru. 

Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain is another iconic attraction to Amboseli National Park. The mountain is situated in Tanzania but can best be seen in Amboseli National Park. The cloudy and snow-capped mountain offers impressive scenic views. What makes Kenya wildlife safari experiences in Amboseli unique is viewing wildlife with a view of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Safari Activities in Amboseli

Game drives are the most enjoyable safari activities you can engage in here. The best time for game drives in this land of giants is early morning to catch up with the early risers. This is also when there are better chances of clearly seeing Mount Kilimanjaro. You can also explore the park on guided nature walks led by the local Masai people. Masai community visits are also exceptional as you get to know about the people’s ways of life.

Other activities you can engage in here include birding and scenic photography safaris among others. Amboseli is a busy Kenya wildlife safari destination and in case you plan to visit in the peak season from June to September ensure to book in advance.

Rift Valley Lakes

The eastern arm of the Great Rift Valley passes through Kenya and has iconic relief features including lakes. These are attractions in their own right but also home to several wildlife species, especially birds. Notable Rift Valley lakes in Kenya include Lake Nakuru, Lake Elementaita, Lake Turkana, and Lake Naivasha among others.

These lakes are Key birding safari destinations with colorful birds including flamingos, great white pelicans, grey-crowned cranes, black-winged lapwings, and white-headed vultures among others. Kenya Birding Discovery Journeys are ideal from November to May. This is a breeding season for birds and a time when they are in full plumage. It is also a time when migratory birds from as far as Europe are in the area.

Kenya Rift Valley lake areas are also home to other big game like hippos, crocodiles, and major grazers. They often go down the lake shores in the dry seasons to get drinking water. Kenya wildlife safari adventures in the Rift Valley lake systems are truly remarkable and adventurous. You can enjoy boat cruises for relaxed wildlife viewing and photography safaris.

Samburu National Reserve.

Samburu National Reserve is another unique must-visit Kenya Wildlife destination. The reserve has the most uniquely diverse wildlife species of all wildlife destinations in Kenya. Several wildlife species in Samburu do not occur in other destinations in Kenya. Some of the safari specials here include the Grevy Zebras, gerenuk, Somali ostriches, Beisa Oryx, and reticulated giraffes. 

The reserve has over 450 bird species thus also making it a great Kenya birding safari destination. Apart from the Somali Ostriches, other impressive birds there include the Yellow Billed hornbills, Marabou storks, and Sunbirds among others.

Ewaso Ngiro, northern Kenya’s biggest River is another iconic attraction in Samburu National Reserve. This is the reserve’s main water supply where animals gather to take water on a hot day. 

A community visit to the Samburu people is an added advantage that gives you an insight into the local people’s culture. Several safari activities are guided by the natives who are knowledgeable about the area. Samburu land is among the less traveled paths in Kenya and wildlife safaris and cultural experiences here are exclusive.

Turkana Land

This beautiful land is located in the northwest of Kenya. It is home to the Turkana people who are Nilotic of origin. The Turkana area is semi-arid and has Lake Turkana as the main water body. It is inhabited by the Turkana people who are semi-nomadic pastoralists. They keep cattle, and camels and do a bit of handcraft work, especially the women. Despite being near the lake, some sections of the Turkana tribe consider eating fish a taboo and few of them engage in fishing activities.

Turkana land has several wildlife attractions and is a true African wilderness. The region has more rare wildlife species that do not occur in many Kenya safari destinations. It is often described as a laboratory for the study of plants and animal species because of the area’s wildlife diversity and uniqueness.

The three national parks in Turkana include Sibiloi National Park, the South, and Central Island National Parks. These cover an estimated land area of about 161,485 hectares. With this vast size comes an added advantage of wildlife diversity and numbers.  Turkana land is also is a major breeding ground for Nile Crocodiles, Snakes, and hippos among others.

The exclusivity of the area is a game changer and it makes it a leading Kenya Wildlife safari destination to explore.