East Africa is home to some of the most intriguing and unique locations for adventurous safari activities, taking you out of your comfort zone and into the heart of your natural surroundings. If you’re planning an East African journey, here are our top six adventures in the region.
Top Adventurous Things to Do in East Africa
From mountaineering to fly camping, there are so many daring East African adventures available for bold-hearted travellers. Here are a few of the best places to cross items off your bucket list when you visit East Africa.
1. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: Reach the “Roof of Africa”
The Kilimanjaro Trek is both a test of endurance and a celebration of the human spirit. Located in Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro’s snowcapped peaks tower over the plains of the surrounding grasslands. This dormant volcano has three distinct peaks – Mawenzi, Kibo and Shira and is Africa’s highest mountain. If you’re looking for a life-changing adventure, then heading up the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro should be at the top of your list of things to do while in East Africa.
When to Climb Kilimanjaro
The best climbing conditions occur between January to March, and June to October each year.
The Best Routes up Kilimanjaro
We would recommend taking one of the most scenic, off-the-beaten-track routes – the Lemoso Route and the Rongai Route.
- The Lemoso Route is the most beautiful by far and is approximately 70 kilometres (42 miles) from gate to gate.
- The trekking distance of the Rongai Route is 44 miles (72 km). This route is also the only trek which approaches Kilimanjaro from the north and it is close of the Kenyan border. Due to its remote location, it offers trekkers a relatively unspoilt wilderness experience.
Safety and Preparedness
Reaching Kilimanjaro’s summit is quite an achievement, however it does come with some hazards. With the risk of altitude sickness, as well as the changing weather conditions the higher you go, a Kilimanjaro climb here should not be entered into lightly. Make sure you prepare for the climb properly beforehand. If you’d like to familiarise yourself with altitude sickness, have a look at safety and altitude acclimatisation tips while climbing Kilimanjaro.
Check out the below video from Follow Alice who climbed the Lemosho Route: https://youtu.be/DAb1gqAlzpU
Book a Kilimanjaro safari experience with Asilia.
2. Rubondo Island, Tanzania: Meet Precious Primates with a Chimpanzee Trek
Only a few people are fortunate enough to track chimpanzee or gorilla in the wild and spend time with these special creatures while on safari in Africa.
Rubondo Island is home to a group of chimpanzee who were brought to the island during the 1960s as part of a unique conservation project. Over four years, Professor Bernhard Grzimek, a professor from the Frankfurt Zoological Society, released onto the island 16 chimps who had been rescued from zoos in Europe. These 16 chimps have since successfully bred and repopulated the island with wild primates.
What’s Special about Chimp Trekking?
If you visit Asilia’s Rubondo camp, you can be part of the habituation process these chimps are currently undergoing. This is a unique opportunity to join the team on the island as they accustom the chimps to humans, allowing you to witness them in their natural habitat at the same time.
Guests can take a guided trek into the tropical forest to track the primates. Since 2020, visitors have been able to observe chimpanzee as close up as 10-15 meters, with many sightings lasting 30 minutes or more.
Where to Stay in Rubondo
Rubondo Island Camp: This is the only camp in the wild and virtually uninhabited Rubondo Island National Park, in a pristine sub-tropical ecosystem where elephants and chimpanzees roam wild. Truly a special place to experience.
Read more about the chimpanzee trekking on Rubondo Island.
3. Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda: Gorilla Trekking in the Forest
With their very existence being under threat, it is a true privilege to encounter gorilla in the wild. Eastern and mountain gorilla are listed as critically endangered on the IUCN red list. Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are home to the world’s last remaining mountain gorillas. These herbivorous apes live in tropical or subtropical forests and can be found in Volcanoes National Park, as well as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Virunga National Park, and Mgahinga National Park.
When to Go Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking experiences are available year-round, however, the rainy season can make trekking conditions difficult. June to mid-September and December to February are drier months and are usually best for trekking. The paths are rough, and if you are lucky you may encounter a group after a short stroll, but if not, you could spend more time hiking up the steep mountain slopes in search of the gorilla. A high fitness level is not required, but you should be able to manage a good walk.
Note that you’ll be required to keep your distance from each gorilla; their DNA is so similar to ours that they are susceptible to the same illnesses as humans. However, on occasion, these curious creatures might get a little bit closer to you to do some investigations of their own.
Money generated by the sale of gorilla trekking permits is used to support a healthy and sustainable local gorilla population and environment and to improve the standard of living for local people.
4. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania: Follow the Great Wildebeest Migration
The Great Migration Africa attracts thousands of visitors to East Africa annually as it is undoubtedly one of nature’s greatest wildlife spectacles.
Encounter wildebeest, zebra and gazelle as they embark on an epic cyclical journey through the Serengeti and Masai Mara in search of seasonal grazing and water. From December through to March, an estimated 500,000 calves are born during a three-week period, which attracts many predators eager to prey on the young wildebeest. During this time the wildebeest are usually located in the southern Serengeti National Park and northernmost regions of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
The herds reach such large numbers that they can even be seen from space. Few wildlife encounters can match the feeling of being riverside and waiting patiently for the first, brave wildebeest to take a leap into the crocodile-infested waters. As soon as the first wildebeest makes his move, hundreds follow and the action begins. These epic river crossings could last a few minutes or hours depending on how many wildebeest are in the area at the time. One thing that always remains is the feeling of excitement in the air as you watch this battle for survival play out right in front of your eyes.
Where to Stay in the Serengeti
Olakira Migration Camp: This unique camp follows the massive herds of wildebeest as they traverse the vast plains of the Serengeti. From June to October, the camp is in the Bolongoja region in the northern Serengeti, watching the wildebeest herds crossing the Mara River. From December to March, it moves to the southern base in Ndutu, in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, for a close-up experience of wildebeest calving season. Watch thousands of wobbly-legged young wildebeest finding their feet on the plains.
Olakira Camp also features mesh-covered stargazing tents which allow guests to sleep under a sky of glittering African constellations.
Ubuntu Migration Camp: This mobile-tented camp is carefully positioned in the best locations in both the northern and southern Serengeti, to follow the movement of the herds. From June to mid-November, the camp is up north of the Serengeti to watch the wildebeest cross the Mara River. From mid-December to mid-March, it moves to the lush grasslands of the south where herds gather to rest, graze and give birth.
5. Greater Masai Mara, Kenya: Sleep in the Bush with a Fly Camping Adventure
Fly camping is an especially memorable and unique experience, perfect for anyone interested in a safari adventure that takes you further out of your comfort zone than usual. Intrepid travellers who have undertaken a night of fly camping will tell you it would be a shame to pass up the chance.
What Makes Fly Camping Special?
When fly camping, you’ll be located in the heart of the African bush. This experience is often paired with a walking safari; you’ll head out in the morning to explore the plains on foot, arriving at your temporary fly camp where you’ll spend the night. Your guides will prepare a hearty meal on the campfire while you share stories of the day’s adventures. Not many travellers can say they have slept out in the East African wilderness with game strolling right past their tent.
Read more about fly camping.
Where to Stay for Fly Camping in Masai Mara
Encounter Mara: This camp is found on the edge of the savannah under the shade of acacia trees within the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, bordering the famed Masai Mara reserve in southwest Kenya.
Naboisho Camp: Also located in the picturesque Mara Naboisho Conservancy. Naboisho Camp is designed to be as open as possible, taking full advantage of the Mara surroundings.
Asilia is a founding member of the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, located close to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve. Activities such as fly camping, walking safaris, night drives and authentic community interactions, which are not possible within many national parks and reserves, are available to guests at this conservancy, offering a truly intimate experience of the wilderness.
6. Ruaha National Park, Tanzania: Step into Nature with a Walking Safari
A walking safari is an exceptional way to fully immerse oneself in the beauty of Africa and its wild places – any adventure-lover should definitely add this experience to their list. Discovering the bush on foot allows you to learn about the fauna and flora which are often missed or forgotten while you journey through the plains in a vehicle.
During a walking safari in the African bush, your senses are heightened when you know that at any moment an elephant or giraffe could emerge from behind a tree.
One of the most interesting aspects of a bush walk is learning about how the locals utilise various plant species for traditional medicines, fly repellents, poisons for arrowheads, and even as toothbrushes!
Why Take a Walking Safari?
Walking allows you to explore the bush at your own pace, taking in every interesting moment as they come. Walking through Africa is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that allows you the chance to get closer to the wildlife and quietly spend time in their presence. If you’re planning on visiting East Africa in the future and want to brag about the things you did and saw, make sure you head out on a walking safari – we certainly think it should be on everyone’s bucket list as there is nowhere else in the world quite like East Africa.
Where to Stay in Ruaha
Jabali Ridge: A stylish camp amongst a group of giant boulders, on an outcrop overlooking the Mwagusi River and Ikuka escarpment.
Jabali Private House: An exclusive-use property surrounded by ancient baobab trees.
Usangu Expedition Camp: This camp sits on the banks of the Usangu wetlands in the woodland shade.
Kokoko Camp: A classic tented camp booked on an exclusive use basis for up to 6 guests.
Top Places to Visit in East Africa
These are just a few destinations where you can experience amazing East African adventures. Why not plan a safari trip that takes you across Kenya and Tanzania, allowing you to include several unforgettable experiences in your itinerary? Asilia Africa can help you to plan the ultimate East African safari journey.
Do the All Asilia reserve circuit through Naboisho, Serengeti and Ruaha; this covers some of the best places to visit in East Africa, and gives you even better value for money. Book 7+ consecutive nights at only Asilia properties, and we’ll cover all the inter-camp transfers.
