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How to Choose the Right East African Safari
An East African safari is often lauded as a once-in-a-lifetime experience…and we’d have to agree! Having worked in the industry for 10+ years, leading safaris all across the region, we’ve helped countless travellers tick this bucket list adventure off their list.
But with so many countries, parks and lodges to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. Add in budget considerations and a variety of different tour styles - planning an East Africa safari can be overwhelming.
What’s right for one traveller isn’t right for the next, which is why all of our safari tours are tailored to our clients’ needs. Rather than picking a set safari itinerary with designated lodges and camps out of a glossy brochure, we’re all about customising the experience to suit your interests and budget.
Our East African safari planning guide serves as a starting point for first-time travellers wanting to design the perfect wildlife-viewing itinerary. This might include some of the region’s most famous wildlife-viewing parks or it might be filled with lesser-known reserves that few tourists venture to.
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Before you start comparing destinations or safari lodges, be clear on your motivation for doing an African safari in the first place. Understanding your “why” is important in ensuring the reality of the experience matches your expectations…and that you aren’t left disappointed.
Before choosing an African safari, ask yourself:
There are no “right” or “wrong” answers to these questions. It’s about figuring out what is important to you so that your East Africa safari reflects that.
East Africa is home to some of the best safari countries in Africa, but no two are exactly alike.
Some offer classic game drive safaris across the savannah to spot big-game wildlife, while others are focused on forest hikes to spot gorillas and chimpanzees.
Several destinations are geared towards travellers of all budgets, while a few have set themselves apart as luxury safari destinations, with lodge and camp prices to match.
Based on the questions you answered in Step 1, you can whittle down your options. In East Africa, these are the four main countries to focus on:
Best for:
Kenya is ideal if you want a classic safari experience without ultra-luxury prices - there’s a reason it’s one of the most popular safari destinations in East Africa. It boasts excellent wildlife density (including “Big Five” sightings) and there’s a strong community conservation model being replicated across the country.
When it comes to logistics, many of Kenya’s parks and reserves are easy to access, by road or light plane. And the wide range of accommodation options and prices makes it accessible to most.
That being said, Kenya’s wildlife parks, reserves and conservancies can get busy, particularly during the peak season from June to October.
Vencha Travel’s favourite wildlife destinations in Kenya:
Best for:
• Iconic landscapes
Tanzania is home to some of East Africa’s most iconic safari destinations, with the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater the most famous. It offers incredible migration experiences and “Big Five” encounters, all against backdrops that are unmatched in their scale and natural beauty.
In our opinion, Tanzania is a great option for fly-in safaris, as the travel distances can be long, but this does add to the costs. That being said, you can still enjoy an epic road trip here if you allow enough time.
Aside from the popular parks and reserves along Tanzania’s “Northern Circuit”, there are plenty of little-visited gems on the “Southern Circuit” for avoiding the crowds.
Vencha Travel’s favourite wildlife destinations in Tanzania:
Best for:
• Gorilla trekking
While Uganda is renowned as a mountain gorilla and chimpanzee tracking destination, it also offers more classic safari experiences in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Park. The scale of these landscapes is not on par with those found in Kenya and Tanzania, but it’s ideal for intimate experiences in lush settings.
You can see the “Big Five” in Uganda, although you’ll need to add on the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to tick white rhinos off your list.
When planning a Uganda gorilla trekking safari, many travellers add on a classic wildlife safari in Tanzania or Kenya. Keep in mind that gorilla trekking permits are expensive and safari prices here reflect that.
Vencha Travel’s favourite wildlife destinations in Uganda:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Best for:
If budget isn’t an issue and you want to support some of the region’s leading conservation initiatives, then consider adding Rwanda to your East Africa safari itinerary. Many travellers include it as an add-on to their Tanzania or Kenya safari, with the main draw being gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
It would be a shame, however, to miss Akagera National Park, home to all of Africa’s “Big Five” and a variety of birdlife.
The guiding and infrastructure in Rwanda is at an extremely high level, matched only by the extremely high costs. We have to be honest when we say there are limited options available here for budget travellers.
Vencha Travel’s favourite wildlife destinations in Rwanda:
Nyungwe Forest National Park
Safari lodges range from basic tented camps to ultra-luxury retreats and lodges that lie somewhere in the middle. You can select your East Africa safari accommodation based on price alone, but that doesn’t always equate to an unforgettable or ethical stay.
A property may have a polished website that says all the right things, but a simpler camp might offer a more meaningful experience. And because most East Africa safari lodges and camps provide their own game-viewing experiences, where you stay matters more than ever.
Before booking the first property that appeals to you aesthetically, ask:
If you’re not sure where to start, our team can provide recommendations for safari lodges and camps, based on your budget, travel style and ethical considerations.
First-time safari travellers often think that Africa is a “cheap” destination. But that couldn’t be further from the truth, particularly when it comes to ethical travel.
Lodges and camps are in remote settings, so goods, fuel and foodstuffs are transported long distances to reach them. Most are small in scale to protect wildlife habitats and reduce environmental impact. This inevitably adds to operational costs.
Highly skilled guides, trackers and lodge/camp staff are required and they need to be paid fair wages that reflect their training. Responsible safari operators also support local communities through jobs and education, as well as investment in healthcare and conservation initiatives.
Additionally, national parks, wildlife reserves and private conservancies all charge daily fees to fund infrastructure, ranger salaries and anti-poaching patrols. What we’re trying to say is, this all adds up!
If you decide you want to do a safari “on the cheap”, you need to be realistic about what this means. In our experience, a “cheap safari” is usually too good to be true and often comes with hidden costs:
At Vencha Travel, we strive to make our safari experiences accessible, while supporting local communities and wildlife conservation initiatives. Our prices reflect a sustainable safari model, which is something we are proud of.
When planning an East African safari, it’s important to note that experiences differ from month to month. The animals that are most visible during one season might be completely different from those you’re likely to see the next.
Additionally, the time of year you travel will affect the cost of your safari - peak season demands higher prices, while the “green season” is generally the most budget-friendly.
It’s worth noting that rainfall doesn’t equate to a “bad safari”. Instead, it means increased birdlife, fewer vehicles and better light for photography.
As a rough guideline, this is what you can expect at different times of the year
Plan a safari that’s as unique as you are
As you can see, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to planning the perfect safari. Everyone has their own interests, budget and preferred travel style. This is why our team at Vencha Travel thinks a customised approach is best.
The right East African safari for you is about choosing an experience that aligns with your values and expectations and being honest about trade-offs. So rather than picking a pre-planned safari that may or may not align with you, we encourage you to take the bespoke approach.
Consider what is most important to you and ask the hard questions. Remember: how you travel matters just as much as where you go.
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