About East Africa
East Africa here means Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda. Kenya and Tanzania share the Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystem, where more than a million wildebeest move in a yearly circle. Uganda and Rwanda have the mountain forests where you can trek to see gorillas and chimpanzees. Zanzibar, off the coast of Tanzania, adds white beaches and the old Stone Town.
Most people stay for 8 to 14 days. A normal trip puts together 4 to 6 nights in the Serengeti or Masai Mara and the Ngorongoro Crater, with 2 or 3 nights for gorilla trekking or 3 or 4 nights on Zanzibar. Most guests fly between regions on small planes. From Namibia, flights connect through Johannesburg.
East Africa trips & itineraries
These are starting ideas, not fixed deals. We plan every trip around you. Prices are a guide, for each person sharing a room.
Every East Africa trip is planned for you
We do not sell fixed East Africa packages. Tell us your dates, group size and what you want to see, and we send a day-by-day plan and price within 24 hours.
- Free quote, no payment needed
- Change anything until it fits
- Can join a Namibia trip
Five reasons to visit East Africa
The Great Migration
More than a million wildebeest, with zebras and gazelles, follow the rains around the Serengeti and the Masai Mara each year. From about July to October they cross the Mara River. In January and February, the herds give birth on the short grass of the southern Serengeti.
A safari inside a crater
The Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania is a huge volcanic caldera with a floor of about 260 km². Lions, elephants, buffalo, zebras and black rhinos live inside its walls. A half-day or full-day game drive is enough to see a lot.
Mountain gorilla trekking
In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, you walk into the forest with rangers to find a gorilla family. Once you find them, you spend one hour with them. Permits are limited, so book months ahead.
Chimpanzees and forest walks
Kibale Forest in Uganda is one of the best places in Africa to track chimpanzees. Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda has chimpanzees, many monkeys and a canopy walk. Both join well with a gorilla trek.
Beaches and the highest mountain in Africa
After a safari, fly to Zanzibar for white sand, warm sea and the old streets of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you want a challenge, climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa at 5,895 metres.
Top things to do in East Africa
From the Mara River crossings to a morning with gorillas, these are the things that make an East Africa safari special.
Migration game drives
Follow the herds and the big cats that hunt them in the Serengeti and Masai Mara.
Hot air balloon flight
Float over the Serengeti or the Mara at sunrise, then land for breakfast in the bush.
Gorilla trekking
Spend one hour with a mountain gorilla family in Uganda or Rwanda.
Chimpanzee tracking
Walk through Kibale or Nyungwe Forest with a ranger to find chimpanzees.
Climb Kilimanjaro
Reach the top of Africa on a 6 to 9 day guided climb.
Zanzibar beach time
Rest on the beach and walk the old lanes of Stone Town.
Top things to see in East Africa
The animals and places that make East Africa the most famous safari region in the world.
River crossings
Wildebeest crossing the Mara River from about July to October.
Ngorongoro Crater
A volcanic crater full of animals.
Mountain gorillas
Gorilla families in the forests of Uganda and Rwanda.
Chimpanzees
Chimpanzee groups in Kibale and Nyungwe Forest.
Amboseli elephants
Large elephant herds with Kilimanjaro behind them.
Stone Town
Old coral stone houses, carved doors and markets on Zanzibar.
Destinations in East Africa
These are the main areas and parks we plan trips around. Put a few together to see the best of the country.
Masai Mara
Big cats all year and the river crossings from about July to October.
Serengeti
Endless plains with the migration moving through all year.
Ngorongoro Crater
A day game drive inside a volcanic crater.
Tarangire
Baobab trees and large elephant herds in the dry season.
Amboseli
Elephants with views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Bwindi
Uganda's rainforest home of the mountain gorilla.
Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda, a few hours' drive from Kigali.
Zanzibar
Beaches, warm sea and Stone Town after your safari.
Best time to visit East Africa
The best time for an East Africa safari is the dry season from June to October. The river crossings in the Masai Mara and northern Serengeti happen from about July to October. January and February are good for the calving season in the southern Serengeti. The long rains from March to May bring fewer visitors and lower prices, but some camps close and forest trails are muddy. Gorilla trekking runs all year.
These months are a guide only. Please check the weather when you book.
East Africa holiday types
No matter how you like to travel, we can plan it. Here are some popular kinds of East Africa holiday and trip:
Great Migration Safaris
We place you in the right part of the Serengeti or Mara for your travel month.
Gorilla Trekking Trips
Gorilla permits, lodges and transfers in Uganda or Rwanda, booked for you.
East Africa Luxury Safaris
Small tented camps, private guides and flights between parks.
Safari and Zanzibar Honeymoons
A few nights on safari, then a quiet beach hotel on Zanzibar.
East Africa Family Safaris
Family tents, private vehicles and short travel days.
East Africa Photography Safaris
Long days in the field and vehicles set up for cameras.
Why travellers trust us
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A real person on call throughout your journey, in your time zone.
No hidden costs
Every quote is itemised; the price we agree is the price you pay.
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Clear written terms and a transparent deposit and cancellation policy.
How it works
What happens after you get in touch.
Tell us your plans
Share your dates, interests and budget by form, phone or WhatsApp. There’s no cost and no obligation.
We design your trip
Your travel designer builds a tailor-made route with hand-picked lodges and a clear, fully itemised quote, refined until it’s right.
Travel with confidence
Book with written terms and 24/7 support, then explore with your dedicated Namibian guide while we handle the details.
East Africa travel FAQs
Guest reviews
Reviews from real travellers
Real words from our guests, copied as written from Google. Read them all on Google, SafariBookings and Tripadvisor.
It is hard to describe this magnificent adventure. It exceeted our expectations. Arranging the tour went very smooth. Then Peter, our guide picked us up and took us to the Walvis Bay Salt Refiners site...
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Rated 5 out of 5
“Great adventure, presented with a great deal of professionalism and care towards customer needs. Our host was very knowledgeable and competent during the trip. Refreshments well received.”
Alexander StramwoodGoogle review by Alexander Stramwood · February 2026 -
Rated 5 out of 5
“The tour was excellent. We saw dolphins, a whale, seals and other sea animals. Our guide Sherry, the skipper and other staff did a great job. The lunch and refreshments were good especially the oysters.”
Er HoGoogle review by Er Ho · December 2025 -
Rated 5 out of 5
“It's hands down the best Sandwich Harbor tour there is. I'm glad that I chose People's tour and safaris. We climbed the dunes, walked down, saw them from the most beautiful angles and had a very tasty lunch...”
Roger PorterGoogle review by Roger Porter · May 2026
