Beauty beyond measure is what nature and if you have never explored the treasures that East Africa has to offer to you with the new 90 day free visa that can take you through all member countries, here are a few of our favorites rounded up by Jovago – right from the depth of the Tanganyika to the hills of Kisoro.
Tanzania
Probably the first country name that springs to someone’s lips when you mention that you are coming to East Africa, Tanzania is a big beautiful gem that you can never tire from exploring. It has long stretches of tantalising white sandy beaches located on the shores of the Indian ocean and shares an estimate of 46% Lake Tanganyika with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Zambia. Tanzania is just what you will need for a long vacation filled with exploring and relaxation.
Your long itinerary can start with a nice drive through the Ngorongoro crater that is home to an estimate of over 26,000 animals; a great way to organise a game drive and see the vast volcanic caldera.
Travel above sea level and climb the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro and tour the three peaks and a crater and get the thrill of a lifetime.
Then find your way to the Mafia and Pemba islands for some scuba diving, pass through to Zanzibar to the old cities like the Old Fort that bring history to life and then straight to the butterfly center filled with wondrous butterfly species.
You can tour the National parks or pass by the lake Victoria for some fishing, tour the city of Dar Es Salaam and later relax at the Mbudya island.
Kenya
There is always so much to see in Kenya, be it in the middle of Nairobi or just off in the expansive rift valley. You do not have to ask yourself what you can do when you get there, it is a magical destination filled with nature’s bounties.
Kenya is located East of Uganda and North of Tanzania, the country is vastly a traveler heaven; right in the middle of Nairobi is a taste of the actual wild, the Nairobi National park filled with lions, leopards and giraffes is a the first step into enjoying what Kenya offers then pass by Uhuru Park for a calming step right into history.
Go camping and trekking through the Masai Mara, one of the biggest destinations in East Africa and enjoy a sight of the wildebeests. You can go to the other national parks such as; Tsavo East & West, Amboseli and Hell’s Gate plus climb Mount Kenya and set your eyes on the amazing glaciers.
The coast is not derived of adventure either, you can pass by; the Watamu Marine National Park, Nyali and Diani beach, Mombasa Marine National Park and top it off with the ancient ruins and history packed museums of the Ruins of Gedi.
Rwanda
A wild beauty that still stands out, that is how you can describe Rwanda, just nestled in the heart of East Africa with several hills and thick forestry filled with the actual Kings of the Jungle, the Gorilla. The fun about exploring Rwanda as a traveler is seeing how fresh and clean it is and the rate at which Kigali has developed over the years to overcome the horrors of the 1994 genocide.
You can start the Rwandan adventure from the historical Kigali Genocide Memorial Center that is filled with several images of the lives lost during the 1994 genocide, then take a walk through the beautiful capital city of Kigali that is the cleanest city in East Africa. Fresh air and views of volcanoes in the Volcanoes National Park, that is home to several mountain gorillas is what you get as your trek the park. When it comes to camping, Akagera National park should be the best location since it has several lodges for refreshments and many wild animals to see on the drive through the park.
Go see waterfalls and enjoy the thick of the rain forests as you observe several chimpanzees in the Nyungwe Forests and cap the journey off with Lake Kivu that has tremendous fishing spots and sights of Gorillas plus volcanoes of Rwanda.
Uganda
The pearl of Africa is just what you need after a year of crazy working hours, you need to relax, see nature and meet several warm people and enjoy your time off.
Right from Kampala to the high volcanic peaks of Mount Elgon, you will have something to keep you busy, Kampala has a very active social life and you will find something to do everyday and night; there are several bars and clubs that are open all night everyday of the week and sights you have to see during the day such as; the Baha’i worship house, Namirembe cathedral (one of the oldest churches in the country) and the magnificent Gaddafi Mosque that can be seen from anywhere within the city. Climb one of the highest mountains in East Africa, Mountain Rwenzori and enjoy a beautiful view of the Albertine region, then go to the National parks filled with several different animals such as giraffes and elephants.
Go see Uganda at its finest in the many thick thick forests in the country such as the Mabira that are home to several different bird species for bird watchers and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for a gorilla trek.
There is so much to see in all the different countries in East Africa, you can all understand the collective beauty of them all when you visit, so what are you waiting for to visit East Africa?