The region regarded as yet untapped, East Africa Road trips take you through unique and amazing natural world experience, different climatic zones. From the high mountains, through the beautiful savannah grasslands to the green lush thick forests. East Africa is where the Ancient rain forests of Central Africa meets with the East African Savannah. Meaning your road trip adventure around East Africa gives one a chance to encounter both Forest dueling and Savannah dueling wildlife. For unique and thrilling adventures choose a Road trip adventure around East Africa in your fully equipped 4×4 jeep with a rooftop tent or hire a 4×4 jeep with a pop up roof or even with a driver guide.
Immerse yourself in the greatest Wilderness and Unique Jungles
One of the greatest Africa’s wilderness contenders, Serengeti/Maasai Mara with the vast open plains that’s home world’s Greatest Migrations, The Great Wildebeest Migration along with the Big five animals. The immense biodiversity of Virunga conservation area that is a solo host for the rare and most Endangered Mountain gorillas, chimpanzees-the closest human cousins, golden monkeys and L’Hoest’s Monkeys as well as variety of other primate species. East Africa gives you so much more when you decide to combine Kenya’s dense big cat action in the Mara with Tanzania’s vast plains of the Serengeti, famous for massive river crossings migrations in large herds and then Uganda and Rwanda’s ancient forest Jungle. This diverse ecosystems rewards with a chance of iconic savannah based “Big Five” sightings (lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, rhinos) encounter, forest based wildlife (Mt. Gorillas, Chimpanzees, variety of colorful bird species) and rich cultural experiences of not only the Maasai but also the endangered Batwa pygmies tribe in Uganda, Intore dance from Rwanda.
Visit Africa’s Adventure capital
Widely known to be Nile River origin, Jinja city is now very popular with thrilling adventure activities not commonly found elsewhere.
In recent years, Jinja adventure city has gained more popularity for hosting the world’s famous Nyege Nyege Music festival hosted along the beautiful Nile River every November. If you are looking to get part in mind blowing adventures such as bungee Jumping, white water rafting up to grade five, kayaking, water sliding, water tubing where you float on Nile River for 7km.
Other activities include Quad biking, horse riding. The boat trip to see the real point of the source river Nile also rewards you with views of different reptiles like monitor lizards, colorful water based birds like pied kingfisher, Cormorants, African data, Egrets, stock birds, Herons among many. From Lake Victoria you will have a chance to visit Uganda’s oldest port. Oldest bridge as well as the vibrant city night life.
Explore the most endangered animal species
In 90s, the world population of Mountain gorillas hit the lowest, only 500 individuals were left on earth but thanks to the conservation efforts from responsible governments and non-governmental organizations as well as dedicated primatologist personalities like Dian fossey. In the recent 2018/2019 census reveals that, the world’s populations of Mountain Gorillas in the Virunga Massif and Bwindi Impenetrable national park is at 1,063 individuals – perhaps their only home globally.
Visiting these gentle giants in their natural habitat, much as a visit to this endangered species is proved a highlight of any visit to Africa but meeting with these unique Apes is one way of contributing to their survival as a significant part of gate collection goes into conservation efforts.
The trek through the ancient and mountainous forest can be audacious and tiresome, because of the terrain, finding your way through impenetrable thick forest but once you meet with the family and looking eye to eye with the mountain gorilla in a moment of a life time and all the hustles gone through is all forgotten. The chimpanzees, the human closest cousins is another great Ape which is endangered along with Golden Monkeys in Virunga Massif, the L’hoest’s Monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, the mongoose among many.
Meet the tree climbing lions
The Ishasha sector found in southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda and Tanzania’s Lake Manyala National park are the only famous places in the world that have recorded the rare tree climbing lions. Large pride of lions are commonly seen rooming in tree branches for bigger part of the day forming one of the rarest of wildlife sightings. Common type of trees these associated with this rare animal viewing are mainly acacia and fig trees. The reason for this adaptation or animal behavior in these lions prides in such regions is still unclear and under research but some of the research sources say they climb trees to spot their prey from where they can launch their hunting, while other researchers say they want to escape the savannah heat on the ground so they climb to get cooler temperatures up.
Hike to the highest points of Africa
East Africa is widely known for dense jungle, hot climates and vast savannah plains but also boasts a number of glaciers atop sky-piecing peaks. Hiking the three East Africa’s highest peaks rewards you with an amazing experience of a lifetime. With its Uhuru peak standing on Kibo Volcanic cone on Mount Kilimanjaro, is Africa’s highest point with 5,885 meters above sea level and Kilimanjaro is the highest free standing Mountain in the world. While Batian is the second highest peak in Africa with 5,199 meters above sea level requires advanced skills to reach it, Lenana peak (4,985m) possess the highest summit accessible by trekkers. Uganda Rwenzori Mountains also popularly called “Mountains of the Moon”. With its Margarita Peak at 5,019 meters above sea level, is also known for its glaciers and Afro-Alpine vegetation. Reaching all the three Africa’s highest points requires energy but Rwenzori poses the most challenging hike among the three.
Relax at the finest Sand beaches at the coastal line
The East African Coastline also known as Swahili Coast on Indian Ocean, produces one of the finest white sand beaches in the world. Popular places like Dian sea beaches in Mombasa, Nyali, Bamburi, Watamu in Kenya, then Dar Es slam, Pemba and Zanzibar (Nungwi, Jambiani) in Tanzania provide a totally relaxing moments after a rigorous adventures inside East Africa’s Savannah and Jungle wildlife parks like Masai Mara, Serengeti, Bwindi Impenetrable forest, Volcanoes national Parks among others. Apart from the white sand beaches the coast also rich with biodiversity including coral reefs, Mangroves, historical local towns making a tourism hub. Some of the key activities for you to explore at the coastline include swimming with Whale sharks, Snorkeling and diving, Scuba diving, Kite Surfing, nature walks in Zanzibar forest to meet the colobus monkeys. Cultural and historical sites to explore include the UNESCO world heritage sites of stone town in Zanzibar as well as Fort Jesus in the heart of Mombasa.
The Rarest of encounters in the world
East Africa’s rarest of wildlife encounters are quite a number including meeting with the rare mountain gorillas in their natural habitat in Rwanda and Uganda. Gorilla trekking in this region is regarded as the highlight of any safari tour to Africa. The activity involves walking or trekking through the ancient impenetrable forest that can take you between 2-5 hours in the forested hilly jungle part of the ancient rainforests of central Africa.
The Great wildebeest and Zebra Migrations of Kenya and Tanzania is the world’s largest overland wildlife movement. This clockwise loop between Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti National parks provides a magical encounter especially at a number of river crossings where you view over two million wildebeests, zebras and Gazelles move looking for greener pastures across the rivers. Big cats like Lions, Leopards and other predators like Crocodiles, Hyenas and birds of prey always waiting at the river crossing to catch their meal.
Explore East Africa in an equipped 4×4 with a rooftop tent
The best way to explore East Africa and beyond, is the drive yourself in a fully equipped 4×4 Land cruiser with a rooftop tent and Camping gear or a 4×4 Toyota Hilux double cab with a rooftop tent and camping gear. This is not just cost effective yet Flexible but it’s the most trending adventure style and gets you immersed in the total wilderness while sleeping on roof of your 4×4 car can really treat you to a great feeling hence enjoying an African trip of a lifetime.
However, not all rental agencies have eligible 4×4 car to traverse to entire East Africa parks. Choose a Rental agency with 4×4 vehicles eligible for East Africa cross-border rental. Apparently if you have both Tanzania and Kenya, there are a few 4×4 rental companies in East Africa with eligible vehicles to enter national parks of both countries