Different types of safari in East Africa

When you imagine going on safari, you’re probably thinking of bumping along in the back of an open-top jeep on a classic game drive safari. While this is a wonderful way to wildlife spot (and game drives are included at most lodges and camps), there are a variety of other types of safaris you might want to consider.

Experiencing a reserve from multiple vantage points offers a greater perspective on the ecosystem and allows you to spot a diversity of wildlife. Some animals are easily scared by vehicle engines, so the best way to get up close to them may be on foot or by a non-motorised watercraft.

So what different types of safaris are possible for your next East African adventure?

Walking safaris

One of the most unique ways to experience East Africa’s national parks and reserves is on a walking safari, which includes both short, guided bush walks from lodges and camps, as well as multi-day guided walking safaris. They allow you to get up close to animals such as antelopes as they graze, with the lack of noise from a jeep engine meaning the animals are less likely to be spooked.

Walking safaris are most commonly conducted in parks and reserves where big-game predators such as lions and leopards aren’t present, meaning you won’t be at risk of threat. They require a good level of fitness and a sense of adventure, with rugged and sometimes challenging terrain.

A multi-day walking safari will see you exploring magnificent landscapes and wildlife spotting by day before arriving at temporary camps erected by your crew each afternoon. You can expect walk-in tents with proper beds and bed linen, as well as warm showers and a skilled team of chefs to prepare gourmet meals. Enjoy sundowners around the campfire as wildlife roams in the surrounds, giving you the opportunity to be completely immersed in the natural environment.

Multi-day walking safaris are popular in Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park, as well as in Kenya's Samburu National Reserve. Alternatively, you can join a day-long walking safari to spot chimpanzees in Tanzania's Mahale Mountains or mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Bush dinners

Experience the magic of East Africa’s spellbinding savannah during a bush dinner under the stars. Many luxury lodges and camps offer this unique dining experience, complemented by gourmet cuisine and the sounds of the wild ringing around you. Feast on decadent dishes made using fresh local produce while recounting the day’s adventures. A bush dinner is the ultimate way to indulge and an experience not to be missed.

Dine by the river’s edge while hippos grunt as they submerge themselves in the water or watch the silhouettes of giraffes and elephants traversing the plains as you sip on fine wine. Most bush dinners are timed to coincide with sunset as the heat of the day dissipates and the sky transforms rich hues of oranges, reds and pinks. A campfire and lanterns will keep you warm during the winter months, with some including cultural experiences such as Masai tribal dancing.

Boat safaris

Many of East Africa’s national parks and wildlife reserves centre around permanent rivers, making water-based safaris a popular way to get around. Gently floating downstream while watching wildlife as they come to refuel on the riverbanks is one of the loveliest ways to wildlife spot, with boat safaris common in Botswana’s Chobe National Park and Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve.

If you’re travelling to the Okavango Delta, traditional mokoro canoes are an idyllic way to explore these seasonal floodplains, with locals having travelled this way for decades. Sitting low in the water, you’ll get a unique perspective on wildlife as they lumber on the surrounding islands and can listen to the grunts and groans of hippos as they surface in the nearby pools.

Canoe safaris are also popular in Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park, with multi-day adventures that travel from camp to camp. Stop on deserted islands to relax during lunch and access parts of the reserve that few other visitors get to see.

Fly-in and aerial safaris

Get a bird’s eye view of the savannah during a fly-in or aerial safari, which is sometimes the only way you can get to remote camps and lodges with no road access. It’s an unforgettable way to see herds of animals traversing the landscape below while also giving you a sense of just how vast the African plains really are.

Fly-in safaris are a great way to move between locations if you’re short on time, giving you the opportunity to see more than you might if travelling by vehicle. Most fly-in and aerial safaris make use of single propellor planes and dirt landing strips, meaning they might not be suitable for nervous flyers.

Hot air balloon safaris

One of the most romantic ways to wildlife spot in East Africa is during a hot air balloon safari. Slowly floating above the landscape at sunrise is an enchanting experience, with herds of wildlife visible down below. Conditions for hot air ballooning are usually at their best during the early morning hours, with passengers picked up before dawn. Most include a celebratory champagne breakfast, making for an unforgettable and majestic experience.

Tanzania’s Serengeti National Reserve is one of the most popular places in East Africa to go on a hot air balloon safari and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Watch as wildlife gathers in the Seronera River Valley or witness the Great Wildebeest Migration as it makes its way through the Serengeti to the Masai Mara, crossing the crocodile-infested Grumeti River around June and July.

Want to experience East Africa from a different perspective? Let us help you plan a unique adventure with multiple safari types.