East Africa sees a huge number of
tourists, and for good reason. It’s got relatively good infrastructure,
political stability, pricing for all budgets, and is connected internationally
with hubs like Nairobi, Dar Es Salaam, and Addis Ababa.
But the main draw is the
incredible diversity of wildlife that inhabits the dozens of national parks. If
you’re feeling overwhelmed trying to decide which ones to add to your
itinerary, let us assuage those fears. Here are the 15 best wildlife parks in
East Africa that allow you to experience all the region has to offer.
1) Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Serengeti is one of the oldest, most well known, and beloved wildlife parks
in all of Africa. Known for its incredible diversity of wildlife, it is home to
Africa’s Big Five and the idyllic images of savannah grassland. The Great
Wildebeest Migration which happens each summer sees over 1.5 million of
these animals migrate in a circular route through Tanzania and the adjoining
Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is one of the most documented and
incredible animal migrations in the world.
2) Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda
Named after the famous waterfall located within its borders, Murchison Falls
is one of the best places to view wildlife in East Africa, let alone Uganda.
Buffalos, elephants, lions, kob, giraffes, and much more can be found here. The
park is bisected by the White Nile and together with the nearby Bugungu
Wildlife Reserve and Karuma Wildlife Reserve they form the Murchison Falls
Conservation Area. There are dozens of tour operators that will take you here,
and accommodation includes everything from camping in the open to five star
resorts!
3) Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Sandwiched between larger neighbors like Tanzania and Congo, Rwanda has a
few national parks and boy, do they have a lot to offer. The mountain gorilla
is what has put Rwanda on the map for wildlife watchers in Africa and Volcanoes
National Park is one of the only places in the world to get up close with these
incredible animals in their natural habitat. Only a limited number of passes
are issued per day (and far in advance), so if you plan a visit, book early.
There are also eight dormant volcanoes you can hike as well, hence the park’s
name.
4) Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Named for the proud and ancient warriors that inhabit the area where the
park’s boundaries fall, Maasai Mara borders the Serengeti in Tanzania directly
south. Besides a border, the Mara shares lions, elephants, giraffes, ostriches,
zebras, leopards, and the increasingly rare rhino. The Great Wildebeest
Migration is a huge draw not to mention the hippos and crocodiles found in the
Mara River. Between all that, the Maasai people, the 95 animal species, and
over 400 bird species, we couldn’t think of a better reason to go on safari
here!
5) Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
One of the most stunning and unique places in all of East Africa, the Simien
Mountains are spread throughout northern Ethiopia. Famed for its incredible
hiking, the park is home to many endangered species like the Ethiopian wolf and
walia ibex, which are endemic to only this area. The main draw here though is
to marvel at troops of gelada baboons which number in the thousands. With
plenty of places to camp and excellent hiking, we recommend hiring a guide and
taking a few days to explore the area and get back to nature.
6) Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania
Recognized as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, the Ngorongoro
Conservation Area is a must on most visitors’ itinerary of northern Tanzania.
Set in the largest unfilled volcanic caldera in the world, the volcano
collapsed millions of years ago leaving a depression 2,000 feet (600 meters)
deep and covering over 100 square miles (250 km). Home to many of the species
found in nearby Serengeti, tens of thousands of animals live in this relatively
small area.
7) Mafia Island Marine Park, Tanzania
Possibly the best marine park in East Africa, Mafia Island was designated as
a marine park with funding and help from the World Wildlife Fund in the 90s.
With warm, crystal clear water for most of the year, the area is a veritable
goldmine for scuba divers and snorkelers. Its reefs survived the warm El Nino
waters that decimated many other places in the Indian Ocean between 1997-1998,
and hundreds of species of fish, turtles, and other aquatic life thrive here.
8) Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya
Lake Nakuru National Park was created in 1961 making it one of Kenya’s
oldest parks. Nakuru has an absolutely astounding diversity of wildlife but is
most famous for its flamingos which can number in the millions, drawn to its
warm waters and sometimes turning the lake into a sea of pink. The park is also
home to over 100 rhinos (both black and white), large pythons, lions, cheetahs,
leopards, and a large diverse bird population. Meaning “dusty place” in the Maasai
language, it is anything but, all the more reason you should visit its lush
shores.
9) Nyungwe National Forest, Rwanda
Nyungwe Forest is the best preserved old growth montane rainforest in East
and Central Africa. Covered in dense forest and jungle, the park provides
sanctuary for a dozen species of primates including Silver, Golden, Vervet, and
L’Hoest’s Monkeys. The main draw for visitors here is tracking chimpanzees
which are found in abundance. Ornithologists will rejoice as close to 300 bird
species can be found, some of which are endemic to only the area. One of best
ways to check out a panorama of the park is to take a canopy tour suspended
high above the forest floor.
10) Virungas National Park, D.R.C.
Definitely the most difficult to visit of East Africa’s parks, Virungas is
worth the effort. Rebel activity and poaching has closed the park time and
again but as of late 2014, the park located in eastern Democratic Republic of
Congo is open for business. And good thing too, besides being one of three
places to track gorillas in the wild, the active Nyiragongo Volcano is able to
be climbed again with its large and active lava lake at the top!
11) Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya is hands down the best place to get
up close to the abundant troops of free range elephants that inhabit the area.
The long dry season and sparse vegetation make wildlife watching here ideal and
with Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance framing everything, your pictures will
be National Geographic worthy. Buffalo, impalas, lions, hyenas, zebras, and
giraffes are easily spotted as well as hundreds of bird species.
12) Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
Set in the southerly Ethiopian highlands, Bale Mountains is home to five
unique ecosystems including grasslands, woodlands, Afro-alpine meadows,
moorlands, and forest. With such diversity of landscape, the fauna is just as
diverse with wolves, nyalas (an antelope), monkeys, and the endangered Painted
Hunting Dog (though none have been spotted in recent years).
13) Hell’s Gate National Park, Kenya
Hell’s Gate National Park is truly unique in Kenya. It is one of the only
places where you can take a bicycle safari in the world, and without a guide as
well! Don’t worry though, despite the abundant giraffes, zebras, and warthogs
to name just a few, there are no predators meaning you can bike, walk, or drive
through at your own pace without concern. How cool is that?!
14) Dahlak Marine National Park, Eritrea
Dahlak Marine National Park is one of Eritrea’s few. Dozens of islands make
up this off-shore chain of white sand beaches and perfectly blue waters. The
warm waters of the Red Sea mean marine life and coral reefs abound with idyllic
conditions for diving and snorkeling. While Eritrea isn’t the easiest country
to visit, and getting a permit here can take some finagling with the
government, if you succeed, you will likely have the entire area to yourself.
It’s a truly once in a lifetime experience.
15) Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda
One of the least visited parks in all of Uganda, Kidepo Valley is located in
the far northeast of the country. Because of its remoteness, the park which
shares borders with Kenya and newly-independent South Sudan has higher than
average numbers of animals of which all of the main draws can be found. For a
true, off the beaten path adventure, Kidepo Valley is your best bet.
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