Category: Safaris

Early in the morning, as the sun rises, your warm-up for the day on a safari experience kicks off. After having breakfast, head out at dawn to catch a glimpse of the animals in the chilly morning air, with all the grass filled with mist. Driving through the park in search of the big five is one of the highlights of your safari, having a community visit, or a walking safari, and many other activities, all based on the setup of your program. Looking at visiting East Africa? Wondering what a day on safari in Kenya or Tanzania will look like? Look no further! This article will break down the unforgettable day safari experience for you.

Early Morning – Around 6:00 am

A typical day on a safari begins early, it even starts earlier if a hot air balloon is part of your day’s activities. Hot Air Balloon safaris start at sunrise floating above the landscape, watching the sun streak its first colors across the horizon, and seeing the wild animals in their natural habitats. You’ll be in the air for around two to three hours, and a fresh breakfast awaits on your return to the ground.

With the hot air balloon excluded, one can kick off with a morning game drive

Making it very favorable for one to see various animals before the day heats up. You will be able to have a mouthwatering breakfast packed for you or enjoy it right before you jump on your safari vehicle. While on the game drive, chances of spotting the big five in their natural habitat in the comfort of your vehicle.

For both Tanzania and Kenya, full board packages are available with a full-time driver guide and safari vehicle throughout your safari. For a safari beginning in Tanzania, you will meet the guide in Arusha, drive to Tarangire, and then to the Serengeti before ending in the Ngorongoro Crater with the same vehicle and driver-guide throughout. To have a comfortable safari, you will opt for a 4×4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up section in the middle of the roof, which enables you to stick out your head to get a better view of the wildlife. When one opts to fly between the parks and reserves, it makes the distance shorter and easier. Game viewing in East Africa lasts for about 4 to 5 hours, and then later gets transferred to the lodge for lunch and relaxation around the lodge. While at the lodge, one can enjoy the campfire, swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, nature walks around the lodge, spa treatments, and many more activities around the lodge.

Full-day game drives in Kenya and Tanzania are the way to go. Start the day with an early morning breakfast as you head out to the bush tracking animals and generally having a brilliant time. Our driver guide will pack all the food you need, from snacks to lunch to drinks, and with his assistance, you will be able to have stopovers at several pretty and shady locations ready for you to stop at in search of the big five. When you head out with your packed lunch, you will return to the lodge at sunset for relaxation and dinner. In case you don’t have your lunch packed, you will have a game drive for about 3 to 4 hours and then move back to the lodge for lunch.

Lunchtime and Afternoon – Around noon – 14:00hrs

The afternoon is for you to do what you fancy. After your hot lunch, grab a cold drink, read a book, hit your bed for a snooze, get pampered at the spa, take a walk around the lodge, or go for a swim. One can later have a light snack at the cafeteria of the lodge and tea. While on a safari in Kenya and Tanzania, you are most likely to have an afternoon community visit where you take part in traditional dances, craft making, and many more. The Masai community is famous for its cultural practices and is one of the most recommended for a community visit while on your safari in Kenya.

Evening Game Drive  & High Tea or Sundowner – 15:00hrs – 17:00hrs

An evening game drive is more suitable for a time like this, in the same way that animals are most active early in the morning, they start to come to life again in the later hours of the day. Just as the sun sets, predators are easy to spot since it’s their time for hunting. A sundowner experience is one not to miss out on, watching the sun go down, various bird species, and in case of any chance, the big five might be spotted as you sip on a drink of your choice and a variety of snacks.

Dinner Time  – 19:00 hrs

When you make it back to the lodge earlier, you will be able to freshen up before dinner; otherwise, it’s straight to the dining area. After dinner, attending a campfire is a great choice for one to listen to soothing traditional songs and enjoy stories and warmth from the fireplace, accompanied by drinks of your choice, most especially a cup of tea or cold beer.

Turn In Bed Time – 21:00hrs

A day on safari in Africa usually ends around 9 pm. With such an early wake-up call, most people head to bed after dinner. However, after dinner, some guests would choose to stay a bit longer for a drink and cheer up for another day.

However learn more about our safari and what you will expect on a typical day, our safari specialist will guide you on your interests

We are kicking off with a safari in Uganda in all our national parks. These are Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, Lake Mburo National Parks, and Pian Upe-Wildlife Reserve. In addition, other attractions to see include Lake Bunyonyi and the source of the Nile River. Visiting all these places requires careful planning of Uganda safari tailored to your personal needs as a traveler. Usually, it is a road-based safari conducted in 4*4 vehicles. This covers a lot of driving distances but certainly makes sense due to diverse experiences on the way. Besides, there’s an option for Uganda fly-in-safari. But it still alternates with short drives for game viewing and transfers in between the lodges and the airstrips. With that in mind, let’s explore the top things to see and do in Uganda.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga

Mountain gorillas are endangered and rare animals with a population of 1063 individuals. Surprisingly, in the whole world, they are found only in Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda. In particular, Uganda boasts of harboring half of the mountain gorilla numbers, with 459 individuals in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. In that regard, gorillas are the main wildlife attractions, therefore, among the top 8 things to do and see in Uganda.
Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda are available both in Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is part of the Virunga Mountain Ranges. Bwindi Forest has four gorilla centers giving the traveler more options to see the gorillas. You can do gorilla trekking and spend 1-hour with a fully habituated gorilla group or a gorilla habituation experience to track semi-habituated gorilla families. Bwindi has a total of 22 gorilla families thus preferred by many travelers for gorilla trekking in Uganda. Expect to find other visitors on your gorilla trek, especially during high season (June to September and December to February), which is the best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda.
On the other hand, gorilla trekking can be done in Mgahinga, which has only 1 habituated gorilla group called Nyakagezi with 9 individuals, including a silverback. This park suits solo travelers who need to get off the beaten track. As many travelers go to Bwindi, you’re likely to have a gorilla trek with few people on it.

Boat cruise safari

A boat cruise safari is an experience of watching wildlife from the boat on the water. It’s one of the best 8 things to do and see in Uganda for good reasons. Contrary to regular 4×4 game drive safari, the boat cruise provides access to aquatic wildlife such as crocodiles, hippos, and birds. Moreover, boat cruise activity is good for specialist bird watching as well as keen photographers.
The best places to do a boat cruise safari in Uganda are Murchison Falls, Kazinga Channel, and Lake Mburo National Park. Both of these are savanna-protected areas home to elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, and several antelope species. By incorporating a boat cruise into your trip, you get a higher chance to see a lot of wildlife.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest

Chimp trekking is one of the affordable safari activities in Uganda that anyone can do. Those intending to see chimpanzees in the wild, not in a zoo. Kibale Forest National Park, known as the “primate capital of the world,” is home to 13 primate species. Therefore, it provides higher chances to see not only chimpanzees but also other primates such as red colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, L’hoest monkeys, and gray-cheeked mangabeys, among others. This is especially true when you do a nature walk in the Bigodi swamp. Bigodi provides a sanctuary to over 200 bird species and 8 primates. It is managed by the local community, thus providing a cultural tour for those interested in experiences such as local banana beer brewing, basket weaving, and visiting a traditional healer for his stunning metaphysics.
Elsewhere, chimpanzees in Uganda are found in Budongo forest reserve, Kalinzu forest, and Kyambura gorge (the Valley of Apes). Both Kyambura Gorge, an underground tropical forest, and Kalinzu are found in Queen Elizabeth National Park, while Budongo forest reserve is in the southern part of Murchison Falls National Park.

Source of the Nile boat cruise

The source of the Nile River was discovered in Jinja, Uganda, and put on the world map in 1895 by John Speke. Although claims dispute Speke’s discovery, Jinja is proven as the true source of the Nile. As the world’s longest river, it’s such an amazing sight and one of the top things to do and see in Uganda.
Jinja city is in the eastern part of Uganda along the northern shores of Africa’s largest Lake Victoria. Easy to reach by a 2-hour drive from Kampala, the capital city, the source of the Nile boat cruise can be done on a day trip. And you still get time to return and have dinner at home. Besides the boat cruise, Jinja also offers adventure activities such as white-water rafting, Bungee jumping, river tubing, and island beach retreats.

Walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo is found in the western Uganda safari circuit. This region has 8 of 10 national parks in Uganda. But, Lake Mburo is the only place where you can see zebras and impalas in the whole region. Lake Mburo walking safari experience offers you a chance to watch giraffes and zebras walk. This activity is safe because you will be escorted by armed rangers. Again, there are no predators or elephants in Lake Mburo. The game walk is conducted from 7 – 9 am early morning. In addition, other activities to do on the Lake include cycling, bird watching, boat cruising, and game drives

Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi is 520 sq. km (9-hour drive) southwest of Kampala and 68 sq. km (1-hour drive) south of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Lake Bunyonyi is a spectacular scene to behold. While its beauty is unbeatable by any other lake in Uganda, Lake Bunyonyi offers a lot of outdoor activities to do and relax. For example, canoeing, ziplining, boat riding, and village walks. In particular, canoeing and boat riding give access to wildlife, especially birds and islands, which are historical sites such as Punishment Island. As its mere name suggests, this island became an abomination and was almost submerged in the water due to the unlawful traditional practices that took place there in the early 20th century. Among the Bakiga for example, it was prohibited for young unmarried girls to get pregnant. Those who were caught in the act would be tied, taken, and left on the island to starve or drawn in water while attempting to escape. In fact, to this very day, there are human remains on several islands for you to prove this is Africa.
Lake Bunyonyi has a depth of 40 to 90 meters, therefore among the deepest in Africa. In its waters, there are no crocodiles and hippos. If you are a good swimmer and not scared of its depth, it’s okay to swim in Lake Bunyonyi. If swimming isn’t your thing, there’s a variety of accommodation with swimming pools and modern amenities. This makes for a good place to relax and unwind after a gorilla trekking safari.

Nature walks in Bwindi Forest

A nature walk is one of the best ways to get closer to nature. This is especially true for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of the oldest tropical rainforests on earth. Bwindi is known to have survived the last ice age about 2.6 million years ago, when glaciers covered huge parts of the globe, causing most forests to shrink and disappear. As such, Bwindi has remained intact ever since, and the flora and fauna is rich and diverse. For example, Bwindi is home to over 1000 plant species, 345 species of birds, over 300 butterfly species, and many small creatures such as insects. Besides, there are also waterfalls and rivers, and Bwindi acts as a water catchment area for the communities around.
Those interested in exploring the biodiversity of Bwindi Forest can go for nature walks in the Buhoma and Nkuringo sectors, where there are three waterfalls. The two are connected by a trail that passes through the middle of the forest. The Bwindi walking safari stretches for over 10 km, taking 5 hours to complete.
For bird watching in Bwindi, Mubwindi Swamp in the Ruhija sector is highly recommended. The high-altitude swamp is a habitat for the African Green broadbill, one of the 23 Albertine Rift Endemics, rare to find in other parts of East Africa.

Walking safari in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve

Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is in the Nakapiripiti district, the north-eastern part of Uganda, called Karamoja. In general, this region is the least visited compared to the west; therefore, still off the beaten path. Moreover, it is a semi-arid savanna climate area with spectacular flat terrain punctuated by rock kopjes such as Mount Moroto and Kadam. The wildlife that inhabits the Karamoja region is unique, such as cheetahs, ostriches, roan antelope, and white-eared kobs, which are not found in the parks of western Uganda. The people, too, called Karimojong, are Nilotic-speaking, closely related to the Masai warriors of Kenya and Tanzania. Visiting Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve provides the opportunity to see the wildlife on game drives. In addition, you can undertake a Pian Upe walking safari and visit the Karamojong traditional villages.
Apart from Pian Upe, the eastern region is home to Kidepo Valley National Park, which is 380 sq. km (7-hour drive) northwards. The road goes through rural Karamojong villages for further cultural encounters. Traveling southwards from Pian Upe, there are Sipi Falls in Kapchorwa and Mount Elgon National Park, providing mountain climbing and biking adventures

Ever wondered what it’s like to plan your safari in Africa? Most people get overwhelmed by a safari in Africa. GoExplore Safaris, your Boutique Safari Company, is your ultimate deal for your safari planning holiday. Whether it’s a Honeymoon Safari, a family safari, or an adventure safari, it all boils down to the Expertise we have collected and gathered over time.

Where to Go in East Africa.

East Africa Being a single Block in Africa has been eye marked by many travel enthusiasts where at least a lot is on a plate to discover countries like Uganda where you go on one of the highest altitudes of Africa that is Mountain Rwenzori and Explore the amazing experience, not only Rwenzoris are famous for your adventure trip in Uganda, you can get on that Boat on the Nile for a cruise where you will find Giant Elephants swimming across the Nile and share space with them, and The Primates being one of Uganda’s top on the do list. Rwanda Is another Place Primates also rejuvenate in the thick jungles of Africa, Magical Kenya is an absolute Wild Destination for your typical safari in Africa, Kenya is home to the World’s famous Masai Mara game reserve home to the migrating wildebeests. Tanzania is one of those destinations famous for the Beach in Zanzibar but let’s not talk about the coast and save it for another read here. You Will Explore the Serengeti National Park and be overwhelmed by Nature’s masterpiece at the Ngorongoro Crater Area.

Our Experience In East Africa is coupled with how deeply we go into learning every detail in planning your African Safari. Start exploring our Guides to be inspired on your Journeys beyond the map with us. Explore Our  Destinations Below

Uganda – Explore Uganda, The Pearl of Africa

Like our neighbours, Rwanda and Uganda have been out of the dark shadows of the past and grown into their deserved title as the “Pearl of Africa”. Often overlooked as a safari destination, this small, landlocked country packs one hell of a punch when it comes to bucket-list experiences.

Uganda is proudly famous for its primate experience, and Gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking are on top of travellers’ lists. With its highest concentration of primates in the whole world, ranking up there, a safari in Uganda, where you will see some of the most incredible and rare species like the tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and you can spot thousands of elephants in the wild, roaming around.

Uganda’s Scenery will blow your mind from the Jungles to the beautiful crater lakes regions, to the River Nile, squeezing itself in the Gorge in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s Largest National park, and Savanah Park, to cruising on the Nile with the Wildlife. This is a magical place with enough to keep even the most indomitable travellers enthralled and excited.

Where To Stay in Uganda

Accommodation in Uganda is as varied as the landscapes that you’ll be contemplating from under your duvet! Generally speaking, Safari lodges tend to be larger structures with more facilities – swimming pools, spas, a restaurant or two – Bush camps are the most intimate of all (some as small as 6 rooms!) or you could go one step further and take a bed roll and a mosquito net and GoExplore experienced guide!

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Rwanda – Land of a Thousand Hills

Rwanda’s Strides continue to Go up being a small East African country this is now one of those incredible destinations travellers are yawning for, from Kigali City alone to the lush Green Vegetation of its forests in The Volcanoes National Park And with vast tracts of unspoilt, luscious vegetation, spectacular sightings of iconic mountain gorillas in the mist, dense jungle forest and a healthy dose of culture and promise in Kigali, there’s plenty to show off and a lot more than first meets the eye.

As a country that has gone through the Turmoil of the Genocide in the early 1990’s almost 30 years ago, Today Rwandans celebrate Unity among themselves our Rwanda Guides will show you how amazing and incredible the country is celebrating each the peace and happiness in the country and while on safari with us in Rwanda this is among the perfect Safari experience.

Where To Stay in Rwanda

Rwanda’s Vast and Incredible Camps vary from Luxury to High-End Lodges from Kigali City to The Jungles of Volcanoes National Park and to The Savanah Plains in the Akagera you will be spoilt for no choice, Inside and around all these amazing Jungles and Bush Areas of Rwanda, it has welcomed some of the African Luxury brands into the tourism space around the tourism chain.

Kenya – Magical Kenya

You are Looking for a classic Typical Safari in Africa; Kenya is that one special country from the storybooks most people have read when they are booking an amazing safari and exploring the savannah plains to Meet the Incredible Masai Nomad Warriors. Kenya Is the Original Safari Destination and home to the famous migrating wildebeests in the Masai mara game reserve.

A Kenya Safari can take you south, west, and the undulating North of the Area into the Samburu area, famously known for the arid thornveld and amazing leopard sightings in the bush, taking you to the stunning Views of the Kilimanjaro Mountain in the Amboseli National Park, and witnessing some of the spectacular herds of Elephants in all angles of your sight. Our GoExplore Experts Could Plan for you a safari for almost a month in this iconic destination to experience first-hand from safari to the coast, but it would still not be enough to see it all.

For More Detailed Planning information, we have to go you covered read more about Kenya 

Tanzania – Unforgettable Tanzania

We have planned incredible journeys around East Africa, looking for that action-packed, wild game viewing, and the great migration in the Grumeti rivers. Tanzania is the sole ultimate bucket list wild experience. We have a term, Tanzania is one destination you will think of, and the safari bag will bite you once you are on safari. An experience in Tanzania to explore the incredible game and end with the Indian Ocean coast, Zanzibar is the perfect one. This is one destination that is loved by honeymooners, and our figures crossed, we planned some incredible safaris along this chain

Browse Some Of Our Tanzania Journey Safaris Here

Tanzania, without a doubt, is the best safari destination in Africa that has it all with its incredible wildlife from the savannah to the coast being the biggest country on the East Africa block, this amazing space has vast lands and almost a third of it is protected areas and so making you get spoilt of choice. This is a game drive haven where you will wake up in the morning and at least spot something from the entrance of your camp/lodge. With a Vast choice of activities yes, we mentioned Uganda Being the best in terms of Primates that’s no doubt however Tanzania’s Mahale National Park also is home to Chimpanzees and trekking can be done here as well.

Serengeti National Park is a safari paradise from Spotting the Elusive Cats (Leopards, Lions Cheetahs and so many more) to the thundering hooves of the Wildebeests during the Great Migration One of those Natural Wonders Tanzania being a Safari Giant Star you will find yourself sharing some sightings with other tourists in their safari 4X4 Jeeps.

When To Go to East Africa on Your Safari

There’s really no ‘bad’ time to Explore Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya & Tanzania but depending on your safari style, there might be a time of year that suits you better. June to October across much of sub-Saharan Africa is considered the ‘best’ for a safari in Kenya & Tanzania and Rwanda, Uganda’s Rain Forest where you will get down to track the elusive mountain Gorillas, it’s not a must whether it will rain or not however being a rain forest, you would expect rain anytime. During the dry season and the weather is dreamy (but getting hot towards October) and the animals congregate around water making them easy to spot. The rains tend to fall from November to April in most countries in East Africa has a reprieve over December & January.

Our GoExplore travel experts can assist you with all the need-to-know details – contact them for in-depth expertise on booking your next unforgettable adventure here

The wildebeest migration occurs in the savanna ecosystem of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, and Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. It includes 1.5 million wildebeests and 200000 zebras, along with thousands of topis, Thompson’s gazelles, and impalas, which migrate in separate huge herds looking for green pastures and water. The rainfall seasons change every year, and so the animals follow a path that rotates through the two national parks.

The wildebeest migration in Tanzania

The great migration is in Tanzania in the months of December, January, February, March, April, May, and June to July. During these months, important events of the migration happen in Serengeti National Park, including the birthing season and Grumeti River crossings.

By the end of the year in December and the start of the New Year from January to February, the wildebeests are giving birth in the southern plains of Serengeti National Park. More than 8000 calves are born every day, according to National Geographic (NATGEO Wild) statistics. The big cats: lions, leopards, cheetahs, and other small predators such as African wild dogs and jackals lie in ambush to devour the helpless young animals. Many calves survive, and the number of wildebeests will increase. The migrating herds get bigger moving from the south to the western part of Serengeti National Park, which includes the Grumeti Game Reserve. Around April to May, the calves are mature enough to handle the obstacle that lies ahead – crossing of the Grumeti River lasts until June to July. But before the first river crossings take place, the animals scatter into several herds across the central Serengeti. Known also as Seronera Valley, the Big Five animals, especially black rhinos, elephants, and leopards, are common sights in the area.

Once through the central Serengeti, the mating season of the wildebeests starts around May to July in the Grumeti Game Reserve. The animals have to cross the major Grumeti River and the smaller Mbalagati River after which they move northwards through Ikorongo controlled hunting area.

The Wildebeest migration in Kenya

With the abundance of water and pastures, the wildebeests will activate their energy for the biggest and final obstacle of their migration. The Mara River crossing takes place from August to September. After crossing over from Tanzania to Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, the wildebeests scatter in separate herds which occupy the famous Mara Triangle until October to November when they again cross the smaller Talek river to return to Tanzania. This area has several camps and lodges positioned along the path where animals path.

5 Things to Consider on a Wildebeest Migration Safari in 2026 in Kenya & Tanzania

Kenya or Tanzania

Given that each country has got a unique safari experience, deciding whether to go to Kenya or Tanzania for a migration safari depends on several factors. Most importantly what do you want to get out of your holiday? Choose Kenya for spectacular Mara river crossings and big cats sightings in Masai Mara National Reserve. In addition, Kenya combines the migration with great unique traditional safaris including Amboseli National Park home to the last of Africa’s big tusker elephants and beautiful view of Mount Kilimanjaro; the camel riding safari in Samburu wilderness; the pink flamingos and black rhinos in Lake Nakuru National Park and the unique experiences in Nairobi city such as the giraffe manor centre and the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Winding up with a beach holiday in Lamu or Mombasa along the coast of the Indian Ocean makes Kenya safari great.

Going to Tanzania on the other hand offers the opportunity to view the

The different safari activities and experiences

There are different activities to view the migration such as game drives, hot air balloon safaris and walking safaris, and mobile and fly camping experiences. Each provides a unique way to view wildlife and nature thus you need to choose what you prefer while booking the migration safari. If hard for you, GoExplore Safari experts help you out with a great migration safari experience in Kenya and Tanzania.

Besides just viewing wildlife, several activities are available to incorporate into your trip. From city tours, visiting the Maasai people, boat rides, photography safaris, bird watching and adventures of different kinds including rafting and kayaking trips.

Consider the events that happen during the migration

The cycle of the wildebeest migration involves different events such as the calving / birthing season, the mating season and the river crossings. Each phenomenon occurs in a different park thus it’s important to have in mind a certain event and plan your safari accordingly. By doing so we will determine the best time of the year to plan to your migration trip to Kenya or Tanzania.

Accommodation and travel style

There are different styles of safari accommodation in East Africa. It’s much better to book a trip that suits your travel budget but also allows you to view the migration and wildlife. For instance, mobile camping is a great choice for those intending to track and follow the wildebeest migration from point A to point B. Permanent lodges and camps, on the other hand, allow you to stay in one position from where you can always go for activities away and return in the evenings.