East African Discovery Journey safari adventures are the best outdoor adventures you can ever take. The region is a prominent tourist destination thanks to its diversity in every aspect of culture and nature. The major East African countries include Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi. All these are members of the East African Community that South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo recently joined.
Each of the East African Countries is unique with several adventurous activities you can undertake while there. Below are our top best Discovery Journey safari adventures you must not miss on a Visit to East Africa.
Birding Discovery Journeys
East Africa is an avid birding destination with over 1000 bird species including endemics that do not occur anywhere else. Birding tour adventures are done in the different ecosystems from the open savannas, wetlands, and forested areas. All East Africa’s prominent wildlife destinations double as birding destinations. Nyungwe Forest in south western Rwanda is Rwanda’s most Important Birding Area and home to several Albertine endemics.
Semuliki Valley lies along the western arm of the Great Rift Valley. It is home to unique bird species including those endemic to west and Central African forests. The Semuliki valley connects to the famous Ituri forest one of the oldest forests on the continent.
Kenya’s Lake Nakuru, Lake Bogoria, and Amboseli are Kenya’s top birding destinations. These are home to flamingos, great white pelicans, and fish eagles among others. Lake Nakuru was formally the best place to see flamingos but these migrated because of the rising water levels. Nevertheless, there are still reasonable numbers of flamingos you can spot along the lake.
The shoebill Africa’s most sought-after Bird can be spotted in the Swampy areas in Akagera National Park Rwanda, Murchison Falls National Parks’ Nile Delta, and the Mabamba wetlands. All these birding opportunities make East Africa stand out as a destination for Discovery Journey safari adventures.
Gorilla trekking safaris
You can not talk about Discovery Journey safari adventures without mentioning primate trekking safaris. Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the renowned primate trekking destinations in East Africa. They are home to the remaining mountain gorilla population and several other primates.
Mountain gorillas live in the forested mountains of Bwindi in southwestern Uganda and the Virunga massif. The Virunga massif is a chain of Volcanic mountains along the Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC border. Wildlife species in the Virunga Massif are protected by three mountain gorilla trekking national parks. They include Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Mgahinga Gorilla Park in Uganda, and Virunga National Park in DRC.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest located in south western Uganda is another incredible mountain gorilla trekking destination. It is a World Heritage Site with the highest mountain gorilla population and home to several other primates and wildlife. Mountain Gorillas are among man’s closest primates with 95% DNA similar to humans. They are outstanding wildlife species which is why many adventure travelers hike the forested mountains to meet them in the wild.
More than the mountain gorillas, DRC is home to the Eastern Lowland Gorillas. These live in Kahuzi Biega National Park in the southern Kivu Province. Eastern Lowland Gorillas are the largest of all gorilla species and are amazing to watch in the wild.
Wildebeest Migration safari adventures
The wildebeest migration is the largest animal movement in East Africa. It involves millions of wildebeests, topi, and zebras moving between Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve. This annual movement is slow and consistent throughout the year. Migrating herds move through the different areas encountering different obstacles including the lands deadliest predators.
The wildebeest migration cycle starts from around November through March when the herds are back to Tanzania’s Serengeti. November to March feature the Calving period where over 5000 calves are born in a day. Predator action is high during these months as renowned savanna predators attack taking advantage of the weak and young calves. The migrating herds slowly drift from southern Serengeti through the central until they begin the River crossings around July.
Wildebeest Migration Mara River crossings sometimes occur in August depending on the movement of the animals. In the Mara River are some of the world’s deadliest Crocodiles that are often eagerly waiting for their prey. The wildebeest migration is a journey of hope, life, and death and a must-do safari adventure.
River Rafting adventures
East Africa has a great River network and it is the source of the world’s longest River, the Nile. The Source of the Nile River is disputed as some Key East African countries in the Nile Basin claim its source. Burundi claims the Nile’s furthest stream while Uganda, claims the River Nile’s main source at Jinja. Uganda’s source of the Nile is the prominent one as it is where the River starts its journey up north from Lake Victoria.
The Nile River in Uganda is in its early stages and forms several iconic features. These include rapids, a waterfall at Murchison, and surprisingly a Delta where the Nile River Joins Lake Albert. Uganda offers the best opportunities for white water rafting in along the Nile at Jinja. Here you peddle through the different rapids with high chances of being flipped in the waters.
White water rafting in Uganda is thrilling and fun and a must-do of all Discovery Journey safari adventures. Uganda is not the only country where you can enjoy River rafting adventures. Kenya’s River Tana is another great rafting destination. River Tana draws its waters from the Kenya highlands and Aberdare Mountains draining it in the Indian Ocean. River Tana’s waters are not crystal clear like those of the Nile but still offer an incredible River rafting experience.
Big cats and Classic savanna safaris
The East African region is the birthplace of safari. The word safari is Swahili which means to journey. It has been widely adopted by adventure lovers who take on journeys to be part of never-ending adventures. The Big cats are among the highs that make it to the list of Discovery Journey safari adventures. Savanna’s big cats include lions, leopards, and Cheetahs.
Lions are the most sociable of all the big cats and mostly live in pride. A lion pride can have up to 20 individuals comprising males, females, juveniles, and cabs. Kenya’s Masai Mara, Tsava National Park, and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania are the best places to see lions. Other top savanna wildlife destinations like Murchison Falls National Park have lions but In large numbers.
Leopards are solitary big cats but are most desired because of their nature. They are stealthy and the strongest of all the big cats. Leopards often hunt and climb up a tree with their prey to keep away from other predators. It is a safari success to see leopards and Uganda’s Lake Mburo National Park has one of the highest leopard concentrations.
For classic savanna wildlife safaris, we recommend Masai Mara and Serengeti during the wildebeest migration period. If you are interested in more exclusive safari experiences Amboseli National Park is a great option in Kenya. Southern Tanzania also has remote and less traveled destinations including Ruaha and Nyerere National Parks. The East African region is a great photography safari destination for all kinds of experiences.
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