Why Go on a East Africa Safari?
Witness the Wildebeest Migration
Witness the Wildebeest Migration Every year, about 2 million animals follow the rains and their ancient instincts on a death-defying, 3 000-kilometre (1 900-mile) journey. Witnessing one of the rip-roaring river crossings is like watching a live National Geographic documentary.
Superb, Year-round Game Viewing
Thanks to a mild climate, wide open spaces and an abundance of wildlife in heavyweight destinations like the Serengeti, Masai Mara and Ngorongoro Crater, East Africa delivers sensational safari experiences any time of the year.
One-of-a-kind Experiences
From floating silently over the Wildebeest Migration’s mega-herds in a hot-air balloon to seeing each member of the Big 5 in an ancient volcanic crater, East Africa offers the kind of experiences found nowhere else on Earth.
Exclusive Lodges & Camps
Despite some camps being situated in remote wilderness locations, they still offer superb amenities like private plunge pools, spas and gyms. You may even find silver chandeliers and copper bathtubs in the middle of the Serengeti.
Convenient Transfers
There are dedicated airports that service most of Tanzania and Kenya’s national parks and game reserves. The best East Africa safaris are fly-in itineraries, which eliminate the need for long road transfers – meaning more time on safari!
Easy Additions
Regular flights and accessibility make it easy to combine your Tanzania or Kenya safari with a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda or Uganda. The same goes for crowning your East Africa trip on a tropical island in the Indian Ocean.
Kenya, Tanzania and Beyond
From the Masai Mara’s acacia-dotted savannah to the Serengeti’s vast rolling hills and beyond to Rwanda’s emerald rainforest, East Africa delivers the very best in authentic safari experiences.
Combine luxury and adventure in some of the world’s most remote locations, while the magical sights and sounds of Africa leave you with memories you’ll cherish forever.
Accommodation From $500 USD
Per Person Per Night Sharing
Accommodation From $700 CAD
Per Person Per Night Sharing
Accommodation From $1,100 AUD
Per Person Per Night Sharing
Accommodation From €1,050 EUR
Per Person Per Night Sharing
Accommodation From £850 GBP
Per Person Per Night Sharing
Accommodation From R16,000 ZAR
Per Person Per Night Sharing
Top East Africa Safari Destinations
And the best times to travel for a safari
Masai Mara, Kenya
The Masai Mara National Reserve’s wide-open plains provide a sanctuary for an abundance of animals like elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, hyena and the Mara’s famous big cats: lion, leopard and cheetah. Thanks to its high numbers of resident wildlife and a temperate climate, the Mara is widely regarded as a fantastic year-round safari destination. Its wide and open plains mean there is virtually always something to see – no matter what time of year you visit.
Dry season:
January–March & June–October
The weather is usually mild and dry from January to March, and most of the safari crowds are absent. June to October is safari’s high season; the national reserve sees high visitor numbers, but weather conditions are fantastic and the Wildebeest Migration’s dramatic river crossings take place.
Staying inside the reserve means you’re a stone’s throw from the Migration’s action, while staying a little further away from the Migration hot spots in a neighbouring private concession means you can easily reach
Green season:
November–December
The ‘short rains’ season relieves the dry mid-year winter. Clouds build up in the mornings and break in spectacular, but generally short-lived, showers in the late afternoons. Migrant birds return from the northern hemisphere and resident plains game give birth, which means the predator action is thrilling.
Migration season:
July–November
The popular Mara River crossings – when the Migration moves from the northern Serengeti into the Masai Mara – can happen anywhere between July and October. Just as the rains are unpredictable, so too are the river crossings. The herds will enjoy the Mara’s fresh grazing until about December, when they move back to the Serengeti to give birth.
Highlights
- Fantastic year-round game viewing – especially lion, leopard and cheetah
- The Great Wildebeest Migration (July to November)
- Crowd-free game viewing, nature walks and off-road game drives in private concessions
- Hot-air balloon safari – perfect for a honeymoon or anniversary
Serengeti National Park
Home to one of the world’s greatest concentrations of wildlife and the majority of the Wildebeest Migration, the Serengeti National Park is Tanzania’s flagship conservation area and a must-do for first-time and returning safari goers alike. The park’s astonishing density of wildlife offers a spectacular safari experience no matter what time of the year you visit, and the wide-open plains and mild climate mean that vegetation is never too dense to see animals.
Green season:
January–March & June–October
The weather is usually mild and dry from January to March, and most of the safari crowds are absent. June to October is safari’s high season; the Serengeti is busy, but weather conditions are perfect and the Wildebeest Migration’s dramatic river crossings take place.
Although the sheer size of the Serengeti will give you a soul-stirring sense of space, the areas around the Migration’s river crossing points can get busy. If you want to be close to the action yet enjoy some serenity, we suggest staying in an adjacent private reserve.
Dry season:
November–December
The ‘short rains’ season relieves the dry mid-year winter. Clouds build up in the mornings and break in spectacular, but generally short-lived, showers in the late afternoons. Migrant birds return from the northern hemisphere and resident plains game give birth, which means the predator action is thrilling.
Migration season:
December–September
The herds usually cross the Grumeti River in the western Serengeti between about May and July, then move towards the Mara River in the north to cross into the Masai Mara between about July to October. November’s short rains trigger the herds to move back to the Serengeti to give birth before calving season, which takes place from January to March and is renowned for bitter-sweet predator action.
Highlights
- Fantastic year-round game viewing – especially lion, leopard and cheetah
- The Great Wildebeest Migration (July to November)
- Crowd-free game viewing, nature walks and off-road game drives in private concessions
- Hot-air balloon safari – perfect for a honeymoon or anniversary
Consider Adding...
Laikipia
The high plains of Laikipia are increasingly recognised as one of Kenya’s best safari regions. It’s home to some of the country’s most encouraging conservation success stories like Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a sanctuary for black and white rhinos as well as Grevy’s zebra.
Amboseli National Park
With its perennial wetlands flourishing beneath towering Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli National Park is the best place in East Africa to see massive herds of elephant. If you’re looking for that iconic postcard image of wildlife against a Kili backdrop, this is the place to get the shot.
Kenya Beaches
Relaxing along Kenya’s dazzling tropical coastline is one of the best ways to crown your safari. From family-friendly resorts to exclusive beach villas, the country’s coastline offers excellent accommodation and superb diving and snorkelling spots.
Or even Tanzania, Rwanda & Uganda...
Ngorongoro Crater
Created about 3 million years ago when a volcano exploded and collapsed on itself, the Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact volcanic caldera on Earth. It’s one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders, supporting over 25 000 animals, including the Big 5.
Ruaha & Selous
Part of the lesser-known Southern Tanzania safari region, Ruaha and Selous are beautifully wild. Enormous in size and filled to the brim with wildlife, these areas offer sensational safari experiences far away from the crowds.
Volcanoes & Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
The montane rainforests of Rwanda and Uganda are incredible destinations for gorilla trekking, Africa’s most powerful wildlife experience. No other wildlife encounter can rival sitting with endangered gorillas in their natural habitat.
East Africa Safari Trip Ideas
Here are some of our best East Africa safari packages, all completely customisable to your requirements and travel wishes:
Kenya & Tanzania:
Year-round Migration Safari
Wake up to the call of the wild on this intimate and authentic tour through Kenya and Tanzania, without sacrificing any comfort or service. You will set off after a welcome overnight stay at Arusha Coffee Lodge for the warm and friendly atmosphere of Gibb’s Farm, nestled against the forested slopes of the magnificent Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Ideally located to explore the surrounding wildlife areas like the Ngorongoro Crater, which offers the easiest and most rewarding Big 5 viewing in East Africa.
Your next stop is the intimate and down-to-earth Ubuntu Migration Camp, which follows the migrating plains game comprising millions of wildebeest as well as a smattering of antelope and zebra across the Serengeti. Expect to get the most authentic experience of the Great Migration at this semi-permanent safari camp.
Then you answer the call of the Masai Mara and head for your final destination, Rekero Camp. A cultural visit is on your ‘to-do’ list to learn more about the traditional ways of the Maasai. Spend the rest of your time watching the game come to drink at the Talek River from your veranda.
Itinerary FROM $10,650 CAD
PER PERSON Sharing
Destinations
- Tanzania: Karatu, Serengeti, Arusha
- Kenya: Masai Mara
- First night spent on a coffee estate with Mount Meru as your backdrop
- Big Five encounters at the famed Ngorongoro Crater
- An authentic safari experience in the Serengeti
- Stay in mobile tented camps that move with the Great Migration
- Visit the famed Masai Mara and meet Maasai warriors
- Best combination safari: Tanzania & Kenya
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM $17,6050 AUD
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM €16,200 EUR
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM £12,950 GBP
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM R12,950 ZAR
PER PERSON Sharing
Africa’s Hat Trick:
Migration, Big 5 & Gorillas
Three incredible countries and three bucket-list-worthy destinations await you on this luxury 10-day East African safari. From the vast plains of Tanzania’s Serengeti and the exclusive conservancies of Kenya’s Masai Mara to the misty forests of Uganda’s Bwindi, you’ll witness the beauty and diversity of Africa’s most celebrated regions while enjoying luxurious accommodations, and an unrivalled warmth and wealth of knowledge from local staff.
Beginning in Tanzania, a scenic flight takes you to the Serengeti. Track the Great Migration (seasonal) and marvel at the region’s abundant wildlife—with particularly prolific big cat numbers. Crossing into Kenya, a private conservancy in the Masai Mara offers a more intimate safari with unique activities like night game drives and guided bush walks. Finally, you’ll fly to Uganda for an awe-inspiring gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Whether it’s your first safari or you’re a seasoned traveller looking to revisit iconic safari destinations while adding the thrill of gorilla trekking, this itinerary can be tailored to suit your needs. It’s also a fantastic option for a honeymoon, with the possibility of extending your adventure to the beaches of Zanzibar or Seychelles. Families with older children can enjoy this journey too
Destinations
- Uganda: Entebbe, Bwindi
- Kenya: Nairobi, Masai Mara
- Tanzania: Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha
Highlights
- Experience the herds of the Great Migration in season
- Prolific big cat sightings in the Serengeti and Masai Mara
- Stay on a private conservancy in Kenya
- Trek to see gorillas in Uganda
- Stay in a new, state-of-the-art lodge in Uganda
- Enjoy a diverse range of safari activities & experiences
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM $16,350 CAD
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM $26,150 AUD
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM €24,850 EUR
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM £19,900 GBP
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM R368,000 ZAR
PER PERSON Sharing
How Much is an East Africa Safari?
Rates generally depend on timing (i.e. key travel seasons like holidays) and level of luxury (the type of amenities and exclusivity). As a guideline, East Africa safaris can range anywhere from approximately $350 USD per person per night in low season to over $1,650 USD at the finest lodges in high season.
What Costs Are Included?
Most accommodations are all-inclusive; all your meals, snacks, beverages, alcohol (with some exceptions) are part of your room rate. In addition, your game drives, and other excursions like walking safaris and cultural village visits will all be included. To operate in such remote areas at such a high level of hospitality, it takes some serious logistics and often means guest-to-staff ratios of more than 5 to 1. Not to mention many accommodations offer services like laundry, so you can pack light and travel easy.
The only things you’ll have to pay for are special activities (like hot-air balloon rides and spa treatments) and, in some cases, imported spirits. Beyond that, just gratuities for the incredible staff who will make your stay at each lodge so memorable.
Justin Chapman
"East Africa is considered to be the spiritual home of safari, evoking images of wide-open plains and wildlife as far as the eye can see. Interest areas covered within the region include primate-trekking, the Great Migration through the Serengeti and Masai Mara, engaging and authentic cultural experiences, and numerous beach destinations both on the coast of the mainland and islands close to it.”
Why Travel with Go2Africa
Based in Cape Town, our team of experts are all born and raised in Africa.
When you travel with us you’re assured of the Big 5 Guarantee.
We are African
Since 1998 we've tailored unforgettable African safari holidays for over 200 000 travellers, that leaves a lasting positive impact.
We Know Because We Go
We have first-hand knowledge of every destination, lodge and activity we recommend from our 1 000+ carefully selected safari partners.
We Are With You All The Way
We take care of every detail, offering 24/7 assistance and local know-how from the right time zone, until you return safely home.
You Are In Expert Hands
With the most awarded Top Travel Specialists in Africa by Conde Nast Traveler and led by one of Travel & Leisure's A-list specialists, you are in expert hands.
Complete Financial Protection
Our clients are fully covered by our supplier default insurance, and our accreditation bond with the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association.
Making A Positive Impact Together
Every journey with us makes a meaningful positive impact by creating sustainable solutions, enabling people and nature to mutually thrive together.
Our Partners
Everything is about relationships. Fortunately, we’ve built great ones working with the top names in Africa for more than 20 years.
What Our Clients Say
