Destinations

Entebbe, the old administrative seat of Uganda, is a short drive from the current capital and has a lot to keep tourists entertained. It is located on a peninsula in Lake Victoria. This little hamlet has streets surrounded with trees and makes a great starting point for exploring the area. Visitors can anticipate relaxing days on the shores of Lake Victoria, taking a stroll through the stunning Botanical Gardens’ fields and woodlands, or visiting the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, a sanctuary for the nation’s orphaned chimpanzees.

Uganda’s main city, Kampala, sprawls out across a series of undulating hills and is known as the “Garden City” for its tree-lined streets. Kampala borders the lovely Lake Victoria. It serves as the nation’s commercial centre and is home to a variety of African marketplaces, contemporary buildings, luxury hotels, nightclubs, and casinos. It is a great starting point from which to explore the neighbourhood. In addition to seeing the Namugongo Martyrs Shrines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, tourists may look forward to learning about the country’s colourful history at the Uganda Museum and taking part in a variety of activities on Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake. Don’t pass up the chance to visit the adjacent Mburo National Park to see some of the local species, such as hippo, zebra, gazelles, crocodiles, warthog, a variety of birdlife and monkeys.

The massive 6.5 million-hectare Lake Victoria is three times the size of Wales and is shared by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Known as one of Africa’s ‘Great Lakes’, it is world-renowned as both Africa’s largest lake and the source of its biggest river, the Nile. Its waters are rich in fish life with shimmering shoals of colourful cichlids and large Nile Perch which is sought after by fishermen. Visitors can look forward to a variety of activities including excellent fishing; wildlife viewing; and savouring local dishes at restaurants with a phenomenal lake view. Visitors can look forward to spotting wildebeest, crocodiles, elephants, buffalos and chimpanzees along the banks. Gorgeous islands such as Ssese, Bulago and Entebbe beckon to be explored.

Located in southwestern Uganda, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is said to be Africa’s oldest rainforest. It is world-renowned for its excellent gorilla-sighting opportunities – the forest is home to half of the remaining mountain gorillas on earth. This gorilla experience takes place among a rugged landscape of dense jungle, cascading waterfalls, sparkling mountain streams, deep valleys, and steep ridges. The untouched forest has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its breathtaking natural beauty and unique ecological significance, and aside from the amazing gorilla interactions, there are other drawcards such as a network of forest walks, over 340 species of bird to spot, and a variety of brightly-coloured butterflies to identify. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the spectacular Virunga Volcanoes, three of which are still active.

Situated in the southwestern region of Uganda, Lake Mburo National Park is an easily accessible, compact little gem. Renowned for its impressive biodiversity, Lake Mburo National Park shelters almost seventy mammal species and over 300 avian species in its forests, swamps and grasslands. This spectacular landscape features open plains of savanna interrupted by rocky ridges, forested gorges and lush dense woodland. Crocodiles, hippos and a myriad of water birds are found in and around the five lakes, of which Lake Mburo is the largest. Other commonly spotted wildlife include: impala, oribi, eland, zebra, buffalo, Defassa waterbuck, leopard, hyena, hippo and reedbuck.

Situated along the Nairobi River in beautiful Kenya, the capital of Nairobi is East Africa’s most cosmopolitan city. It serves as an excellent starting point for African safari trips around Kenya. Nairobi is Africa’s 4th largest city and is a vibrant and exciting place to be. There are some fascinating attractions: its cafe culture, unbridled nightlife, the National Museum, the Karen Blixen Museum and most notably, just 20 minutes from the city centre, wild lions and buffalo roam in the world’s only urban game reserve. Make sure you pay a visit to the elephant orphanage operated by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for a once in a lifetime experience.

Lake Naivasha, in Kenya’s Nakuru County, is the highest of the Great Rift Valley Lakes and despite having no outlet, it is one of only two Rift Valley freshwater lakes. Fringed by papyrus and acacia trees, this gorgeous setting is a unique geologic landscape that supports over 450 bird species. The lake serves as the main drinking hole for wildlife in the area such as zebra, eland, hippo, waterbuck, buffalo and many more animals, allowing for some superb game viewing. Visitors can look forward to intriguing night safaris, and boating excursions around the lake as well as to beautiful Crescent Island for spectacular bird watching. Other popular activities include horse riding, village visits and tours to several impressive neighbouring national parks.

One of Kenya’s undisputed natural highlights is the Masai Mara National Reserve, which sprawls across more than 1500 square kilometres of the country’s southwest. The park protects a phenomenal array of game, including elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo, as well as crocodile and hippopotamus in the Mara River. The birdlife is no less impressive, with over 450 resident bird species. However, the true highlight here is the Great Migration, recognised as one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. To survive the dry months of July to September, some 1.7 million wildebeest, migrate from the parched plains of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Along with much smaller numbers of antelope, buffalo and zebra, they move to the more forgiving grasslands of the Masai Mara. In their wake come predators such as lion, hyena and cheetah, for whom these giant herds are an easy source of prey.

The Seronera district in the centre of the Serengeti is situated right on the path of the Great Migration and provides superb sight of this amazing yearly phenomena, when numerous wildebeest flood the area and migrate over the plains. Seronera is remains a wildlife hotspot at other times of the year, protecting the Big Five in addition to many other species, even if migratory game numbers vary seasonally. Numerous little campsites offer lodging, and guests can partake in guided game drives, walking safaris, and hot air balloon excursions.

Located between the Central Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve to the north, the Northern Serengeti is a remote African wildlife wonderland. The vast, rolling savannah of the Northern Serengeti, is known as the hub of the great migration. The landscape is characterised by vast stretches of savannah interspersed with acacia trees and riverine woodlands. Wildlife can be seen along the banks of the Mara River and visitors can view the annual spectacle of the half a million migrating wildebeest. Commonly spotted wildlife include: a multitude of plains game such as buffalo, zebra, gazelles, impala, giraffe as well as lion and leopard. Visitors can look forward to bird watching, hot air ballooning, game safaris and guided bush walks.

The Central Serengeti, located in the centre of Tanzania, includes the renowned Seronera Valley, which is renowned for offering the best chances to see wildlife. This idyllic terrain is made up of infinite lengths of open grasslands covered in savannah, broken up by rugged granite outcrops, dotted with acacia woods, and drenched in a network of rivers and streams. A wide range of species, including giraffes, impalas, waterbucks, hippos, elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, hyenas, jackals, servals, and many more, can be found in the Central Serengeti, which is a part of the big wildebeest and zebra migration. Game viewing, cultural tours, horseback riding safaris, and hot air ballooning over the breathtakingly beautiful landscape are all popular pastimes.

Wildlife features in the Eastern Serengeti’s beautiful, acacia-dotted plains. Visitors swarm to this location to see the legendary wildebeest migration. The easternmost point of the Serengeti National Park, Lobo, near the Grumeti River, offers some of the best opportunities for observing wildlife. Popular pursuits range from picnics in the wilderness to hot air balloon safaris, guided walks across the breathtakingly beautiful Serengeti landscape, and classes on Maasai culture and history. For the best cheetah sighting in Africa, don’t pass up the chance to go to the renowned Gol Kopjes.

Ndutu is located in the wonderful Serengeti within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which is part of the Arusha Region. Thousands of wildebeest, antelope, and zebra use the adjacent grasslands as their migratory route since they are the ideal habitat for these animals. The woodland surrounding Lake Ndutu may be explored, a variety of fauna can be seen, and the Olduvai Gorge is an interesting archaeological site. Don’t pass up the chance to go on a game drive to see the magnificent herds of the Great Migration, to take a beautiful hot air balloon ride over the plains, or to go on a guided tour with the Maasai community to learn about their culture and traditions. Other species that are frequently sighted include the leopard, lion, cheetah, caracal, serval, African wildcat, and a wide range of colourful birds.

Africa’s most well-known wildlife park consists of Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Park and Northern Tanzania’s Southern Serengeti. For many people, the picture of acacia trees on a vast grassy plain represents Africa. The yearly wildebeest migration, which passes across the Serengeti and the Masai Mara and involves more than a million animals, is the world’s greatest mass movement of land mammals. Elephant, giraffe, gazelle, eland, and large prides of lions can all be spotted, making for some incredible photo opportunities. Rides in hot air balloons offer further ideas. Additionally, trips that dive into the rich culture of the Masai people are available for tourists to enjoy.

Africa’s most well-known wildlife park consists of Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Park and Northern Tanzania’s Southern Serengeti. For many people, the picture of acacia trees on a vast grassy plain represents Africa. The yearly wildebeest migration, which passes across the Serengeti and the Masai Mara and involves more than a million animals, is the world’s greatest mass movement of land mammals. Elephant, giraffe, gazelle, eland, and large prides of lions can all be spotted, making for some incredible photo opportunities. Rides in hot air balloons offer further ideas. Additionally, trips that dive into the rich culture of the Masai people are available for tourists to enjoy.

The village of Karatu is located in Tanzania’s northern highlands, amid the verdant hills that lead to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. This small, vibrant town, dominated by the imposing Ol Deani Volcano, is a well-liked overnight stop for travellers exploring the region’s numerous wildlife parks. Visit a traditional homestead, browse the crowded market, sample some beer at a nearby brewery, or go on a guided walk through the Ngorongoro Forest in search of waterfalls and caves, just to name a few of the activities available in the town. This underappreciated town has a lot to offer, whether you’re searching for cultural excursions, hiking and bicycling options, the ability to see rural Tanzanian life firsthand, or simply a break in between safari game drives.

Located in Northern Tanzania, the Ngorongoro Crater is best known for its natural beauty and abundance of diverse wildlife; which makes it one of Africa’s most popular safari destinations. Surrounded by Tanzania’s highlands, this UNESCO-listed crater is said to be the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Visitors can look forward to spotting the world-renowned Big Five and a host of other wildlife species including large herds of zebra and wildebeest. It is famed as one of Tanzania’s best tourist attractions offering visitors an array of wonderful activities including excellent bird watching, trekking, wildlife viewing, mountain biking and visiting a local Maasai village. Don’t miss the opportunity to jump on an excursion to the magnificent Olduvai Gorge.

Tarangire National Park, situated within Tanzania’s spectacular Manyara Region, is an awe-inspiring national park comprising of granite ridges, river valleys, mixed vegetative landscapes, and free-roaming wildlife. During the annual dry season, the Tarangire River is a magnet for thirsty wildlife. Large herds of elephants and migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland gather and not surprisingly the predators follow. With lion being among the most commonly spotted animal, it is a rare day that a visitor does not spot this majestic animal prowling or grazing. Tarangire is also the one place in Tanzania where dry-country antelope such as oryx and gerenuk are seen regularly. This expansive area is also known for its spectacular baobab trees, its breathtaking views of the Masaai Steppe and the wondrous mountains to the south.

Bordering the Lake Manyara National Park in the Arusha Region of Tanzania, the village of Mto wa Mbu lies the East African Rift Valley. It serves as a convenient stopover for tourists visiting the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park. Visitors can look forward to an authentic cultural experience which could include visiting a traditional home, sampling banana beer, enjoying a delicious Tanzanian meal, and browsing the weekly Maasai Market. The village is set within two wildlife corridors and a variety of animals can be spotted in the area. Look out for giraffe, elephant, hippo, wildebeest, baboon, zebra, and monkey. Other popular activities include walking, hiking, and biking tours.

Situated on the western coast of Zanzibar’s Unguja Island, UNESCO-listed Stone Town is the oldest part of Zanzibar City and is the cultural heart of the island. The town’s photogenic winding alleys are fringed by grand historic buildings, bustling bazaars, a glorious sultan’s palace, and the intriguing House of Wonders – named as such for exhibiting running water and electricity as never before in 1883. Stone Town also boasts numerous sacred buildings – over fifty mosques, six Hindu Temples, a Catholic, and an Anglican Cathedral – all of which are beautiful in unique ways. Other highlights include sunset dhow cruises; spice tours to aromatic distilleries; and neighbouring Changuu Island, home to stunning sandy beaches, a historic prison, and dozens of giant, ancient tortoises.

This picturesque archipelago, which is located about 40 kilometres off the coast of Tanzania, is made up of the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba as well as other smaller islets. Beautiful white-sand beaches lined with palm trees define Zanzibar Island, and the area’s turquoise waters and reefs are teeming with unusual marine life. Watersports fans go in droves to this location for the fantastic scuba diving, snorkelling, deep-sea fishing, kayaking, and kitesurfing options. Even sailing aboard authentic dhows is an option for tourists.
Stone Town, the island’s historic centre, is a labyrinth of winding lanes dotted with shops, cafes, bars, bazaars, mosques, and elaborate Arab homes. Don’t pass up the opportunity to unwind in absolute luxury on the exclusive private island of Mnemba, which is located just 3 kilometres off the main island’s coast.

Uroa is a small, rural, seaside village on the central eastern coast of Unguja, the largest and most populated island of the Zanzibar archipelago. The village sits approximately halfway between the villages of Kiwengwa and Chwaka, 35 kilometres north of the capital, Zanzibar City. Uroans mostly live on fishing and seaweed farming and visitors can enjoy the wonderfully authentic experience of haggling for fish from the local fishermen at a traditional fish market on the beach. The village shares the magnificent Uroa Bay with a number of exceptional resorts offering a range of exhilarating activities including, kite-boarding, diving, snorkelling and tours of the island.