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Justina Lambert is a managing partner with Kimbla-Mantana African Safaris. Justina's upbringing and unmatched enthusiasm for remote places, animals an... (more...)
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For most people, an African safari is the trip of a lifetime. Many of us dream from childhood of visiting Africa, and for many, a first safari leads to a lifetime love affair with the continent and its awesome wildlife, beautiful scenery, and incredible people.
George Kimble once said, "The darkest thing about Africa has always been our ignorance of it." The truth is that East Africa is home to some of Africa's most well-known parks and reserves and has some of the highest densities and diversity of wildlife in all of Africa.
With careful planning, an East African safari is sure not to disappoint. Selecting the right safari is very much like choosing a diamond as in both instances, there are so many variables involved in choosing the right one. A safari should be a highly individualized and well-planned endeavor as most often a substantial amount of time and money are involved.
Critical Safari Variables
Where do you start?
1. The Safari Company: Does the company specialize in safaris? When was the last time the person you are working with has been to the places that you want to visit? How long has the company been in business? Is the company a licensed safari operator in East Africa? Do they have liability insurance? Do they provide references? Is the company active in supporting the local communities in the areas in which they operate?2. Safari Guides: Are the company's guides certified? English-speaking? Professional? Are they experienced and knowledgeable in the behavior and identification of wildlife and of the areas and cultures that you will visit while on safari?
3. Traveling Independently or With a Group: Do you want a highly individualized, private safari that incorporates your specific interests and needs and allows you to travel on the dates that suit you, or do you want a run-of-the-mill group tour?
4. Safari Vehicles: Does the company use four-wheel-drive safari vehicles or minivans? Minivans may not always be reliable, especially if it rains.
5. Accommodations: There are many different types of accommodations to choose from on safari. A safari specialist who has traveled to the parks and reserves of East Africa and who has seen the different types of accommodations can help to identify the best accommodations for you. Accommodations range from hotels and lodges to smaller, more exclusive permanent tented camps and private mobile tented camps.
6. When to Travel: There really is no best time to visit East Africa. A lot really depends on what your specific interests are. The climate of East Africa varies with each region because of the varied topography. Most of the areas frequented on normal wildlife safaris are in areas of moderate climate. In general, the coolest months are from June to October and the warmest from December to March. Rainfall generally comes in two seasons, the 'long rains' from mid-March through May, and the 'short rains' during November and the first half of December.
East Africa Related Links
- The East African Wild Life Society
- For over forty years now, EAWLS has been at the forefront of efforts protecting endangered and threatened species and habitats in East Africa
- The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
- Dedicated to the protection and preservation of Africa's wilderness and its denizens, particularly endangered species such as elephants and black rhinos
- Kenya Association of Tour Operators
- Kenya's leading tourism trade association, representing the interests of some 200 experienced professional tour operators
- Uganda Wildlife Authority
- Official site of the Uganda Wildlife Authority
- Kenya Wildlife Service
- Official site of the Kenya Wildlife Service
- Uganda Travel Planner
- The Uganda Travel Planner includes information on National Parks, Protected Areas, Conservation Areas, Community tourism projects, Accommodation, Getting there and away plus much more
- Uganda Tourist Board
- Official site of the Uganda Tourist Board
- MagicalKenya.com
- The official Kenya destination website
- Uganda Ministry of Tourism
- A list of Association of Uganda Tour Operators members
- Tanzania Association of Tour Operators
- The Tanzania Association of Tour Operators was established to coordinate and spearhead collective representation in tourism
industry in Tanzania - Kenya Travel Ideas
- Have you ever wondered what would be the most exciting, fun and rewarding way to discover Kenya?
The BIG FIVE
Do you know "Who" they are? Here's the list along with the best parks and reserves in East Africa to see them...
1. LIONKenya: Masai Mara, Samburu, Amboseli, Tsavo
Uganda: Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth
Tanzania: Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Manyara
2. LEOPARD
Kenya: Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Samburu
Uganda: Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth
Tanzania: Serengeti, Tarangire
3. ELEPHANT
Kenya: Amboseli, Tsavo, Samburu, Masai Mara, Lewa Downs
Uganda: Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth
Tanzania: Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti
4. RHINO
Kenya: Lake Nakuru (black and white rhino), Lewa Downs (black and white rhino)
Uganda: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (white rhino)
Tanzania: Ngorongoro (black rhino)
5. BUFFALO
Kenya: Amboseli, Tsavo, Lake Nakuru, Samburu, Masai Mara, Lewa Downs
Uganda: Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo
Tanzania: Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Tarangire
Field Guides to East Africa
Your professional safari guide will have these or similar field guides on hand. However, they are great to refer to in the evenings while on safari and when you get home.
Facts About Kenya
The Original Safari Destination
Slightly more than twice the size of Nevada, Kenya is a magnificent country with one of the greatest wildlife populations in the world. With more than 80 major animal species and one of the world's widest spectrums of wildlife habitats, Kenya is the original safari destination. In fact, the term safari, which was coined in Kenya, is the Swahili word for journey.Kenya borders the Indian Ocean between Somalia and Tanzania. The climate varies from tropical along the coast to arid in the interior. The lowest point in Kenya is the Indian Ocean, at 0 m; the highest point is Mount Kenya at 5,199 m (second highest peak in Africa). Kenya's population is approximately 32 million and the capital is Nairobi. The official languages in Kenya are English and Kiswahili. The country is renowned for its big game spectacles and the Great Rift Valley.
My Favorite Parks and Reserves in Kenya
1. Masai Mara National Reserve
2. Samburu National Reserve
3. Amboseli National Park
4. Meru National Park
5. Lake Nakuru National Park
2. Samburu National Reserve
3. Amboseli National Park
4. Meru National Park
5. Lake Nakuru National Park
Kenya Safari Photos
- Kenya April 2006
- Visited Lake Nakuru National Park and Masai Mara Game Reserve
- Nairobi April 2006
- Visited Sheldrick's Orphanage and The Giraffe Center
- Kenya May 2005
- Visited Tsavo West National Park
- Kenya October 2004
- Visited Nairobi, Meru and Lake Nakuru National Parks, Lewa Downs, Loisaba, and Naivasha
Kenya Travel Guides
Kenya Weather
- What is the current weather in Nairobi, Kenya?
- Check the current conditions and five day forecast for Nairobi.
Facts About Uganda
The Pearl of Africa
Located west of Kenya, Uganda is a stunning country slightly smaller than the state of Oregon. "For magnificence, for variety of form and color, for profusion of brilliant life - plant, bird, insect, reptile, beast - for vast scale... Uganda is truly the pearl of Africa."So wrote Winston Churchill in the early 1900s, and aptly so, for Uganda still today leaves clients filled with awe by its unique terrain and wildlife, in addition to its friendly and hospitable people.
Uganda's climate is tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in the northeast. Its lowest point is Lake Albert at 621 m and its highest point is Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley at 5,110 m. The population of Uganda is approximately 26 million and the capital is Kampala. English is the official national language, taught in grade schools, used in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts. Bwindi, in southwest Uganda, is home to half the world's remaining Mountain Gorilla population.
My Favorite Parks in Uganda
1. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
2. Kibale National Park
3. Murchison Falls National Park
4. Lake Mburo National Park
5. Queen Elizabeth National Park
2. Kibale National Park
3. Murchison Falls National Park
4. Lake Mburo National Park
5. Queen Elizabeth National Park
Uganda Safari Photos
- Uganda April 2006
- Visited Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, and Lake Mburo National Parks
- Uganda September 2005
- Visited Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, and Lake Mburo National Parks
- Uganda May 2005
- Visited Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, and Lake Mburo National Parks
Read About One Family's Uganda Safari Adventure!
- Fat Turtle Travel Uganda Journal
- Uganda Journal: December 30 - January 7, 2006
- Fat Turtle Travel Uganda Photos
- Uganda Photos: December 30 - January 7, 2006
Uganda Travel Guides
Uganda Weather
- What is the current weather in Kampala, Uganda?
- Check the current conditions and five day forecast for Kampala.
Facts About Tanzania
Home of Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti
Tanzania borders the Indian Ocean between Kenya and Mozambique. The country is slightly larger than twice the size of California. Its climate varies from tropical along the coast to temperate in the highlands. Its lowest point is the Indian Ocean at 0 m, while its highest point is Mt. Kilimanjaro at 5,895 m (highest peak in Africa and highest freestanding mountain in the world). Tanzania's population is approximately 36 million and the capital is Dar es Salaam. My Favorite Parks in Tanzania
1. Serengeti National Park
2. Tarangire National Park
3. Lake Manyara National Park
4. Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park
5. Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area
2. Tarangire National Park
3. Lake Manyara National Park
4. Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park
5. Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area
Tanzania Travel Guides
Tanzania Weather
- What is the current weather in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania?
- Check the current conditions and five day forecast for Dar es Salaam.
Some Frequently Asked Questions About Travel in East Africa
You should never hesitate to ask your safari operator questions and you should always expect to receive answers!
1. Passports: A valid passport is required to enter Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Your passport should be valid for six months from the date of your safari and should have a sufficient number of unused pages for endorsements.2. Visas: A visa is required to enter Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Visas are available either in the US from the Kenya, Uganda, or Tanzania embassies or, since many people prefer not to mail their passports to embassy, consulate, or tourism offices, you can easily obtain your visas upon arrival at the airports or at the Kenya, Uganda, or Tanzania borders. Photos are NOT required if obtaining your visas in-country.
3. Health Requirements: You should consult with your physician regarding the best choice of vaccines for your trip. Recommendations will depend on many individual factors, including your precise travel plans. It is recommended that you see your doctor at least four to six weeks before your trip to allow time for vaccines to take effect.
4. Electricity: Electric current is 220-240-volt AC 50 Hz. Power sockets are usually of the three-square-pin variety as used in the UK, although some older buildings have two-round-pin sockets. Bring a universal adaptor with you.
5. Time Zones: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda are eight hours ahead of Washington, DC, Eastern Standard Time. East Africa does not change its clock for Daylight Savings Time.
6. Food and Drink: Generally, it is not advisable to drink or brush your teeth with tap water in East Africa. Bottled water is always available. The food served at most upmarket camps and lodges is of the highest quality.
7. Currency and Currency Exchange: The currency in Kenya is the Kenya shilling, in Uganda is the Uganda shilling, and in Tanzania, the Tanzania shilling. The exchange offices in the airports and border crossings have up-to-date exchange rates for all major world currencies. Most hotels will exchange your currency at moderate premiums, but usually at lower rates than the banks. Major credit cards are accepted in East Africa at larger hotels and in some shops and restaurants in the main cities.
Reader Feedback
Tell me all about it. What do you think of my lens? What are your favorite places in East Africa? Thinking about going to East Africa? If you have any questions, ask away!
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gwkell
Thanks for the great lens. I'd like more information about Adventure Travel in Africa. Posted February 28, 2008 |
