East African Safari Guide

Kenya - Tanzania - Uganda - Islands of the Indian Ocean

Mt Kilimanjaro viewed from Tortilis Camp, Amboseli

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East Africa encompasses the traditional safari venues made famous by Isak Dinesan, Bror Blixen, Ernest Hemingway, Courtney Selous, and Teddy Roosevelt, with spectacular views over broad open planes.

Our recommendation for an outstanding safari experience at great value is Tanzania. When to go and where to stay will be dictated by the migration.

The Wildebees* Migration on the Serengeti Plain

The Serengeti Plains encompasses Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Masai Mara in Kenya. This is the setting for the annual migration. 1.5 million wildebees, zebra, and gazelle, a cycle of wandering in search of grass and water. These herds are followed by predators, lion such as lion and cheetah. The following is the typical seasonal cycle. In the past few years, impacted by climatic variations resulting from el nino, the location of the herds has become less predictable.
DECEMBER through MARCH - the vast herds are located in the southern Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. During this period about 400,000 wildebeest calves are born.
APRIL and MAY As the grass is depleted in Southern Serengeti the herds move to the plains and woodland of the Serengeti's western Corridor. This is the long rainy season, and roads are often impassable.
JUNE - having exhausted the grass in the Western Corridor the herds begin moving further north to the Masai Mara in Kenya
JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER the wildebees reside in the Mara and can be viewed either in Kenya or in Northern Tanzania.
NOVEMBER With the arrival of the short rainy season, the herds being their return southward to the replenished grasslands of the southern Serengeti, thereby completing the migratory cycle
Great Migration Safari - 14 day private safari to see the migration in Kenya and Tanzania

MIGRATION UPDATE

In Botswana there is also a migration of zebra and wildebees across the grasslands on the outskirts of the Kalahari in about March of every year. This can be seen from Jacks Camp in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

*wildebees - this is the name for this animal in Afrikaans, the language derived from Dutch and spoken by the Boers, Dutch farmers, who emigrated to Southern Africa beginning in the 17th century. The correct English name for this animal is gnu. In recent years it has become popular to write this as wildebeest, but beest is neither an English word nor an Afrikaans word, and other animals are written Hartebees, etc.
wildebees at Klein's Camp

KENYA- Colonial comfort and style.

Although Kenya has become crowded, there are excellent private lodges and camps that provide exclusivity and excellent game viewing. Kenya also offers famous venues such as the Mt. Kenya Safari Club and Aberdare Country Club.

Recommendations:

Cheli and Peacock safari camps in Kenya including Tortilis Camp - this luxury tented camp at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Amboseli National Park has an unmatched view over God's own country.
Cheli and Peacock Classic Kenya Safari - A safari that will take you to small and exclusive tented camps and lodges, away from the crowds.
Kenya Safaris
Kiwayu - exclusive remote beach resort 30 km from Lamu

TANZANIA- Great safari country including the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Mt. Kilimanjaro. Our recommendation for value.

Custom safaris linking together the parks and reserves that interest you are particularly feasible and affordable. For the moderately fit of any age, a climb of Kilimanjaro is accessible. Olduvai Gorge in Ngorongoro, Tanzania , is the site of the Leakey's investigations into human origins. Because Nairobi and Arusha are such a short distance apart, it is a simple matter to combine a week in Kenya with a week in Tanzania. You can finish your East African safari with a short tour of the fascinating culture of old Stone Town on Zanzibar, followed by relaxation on the beach and some of the world's best diving.

Descriptions of Tanzania Venues

Safari recommendations:

Tanzania Lodge and Camping safaris and climbs of Mt. Kilimanjaro - Northern Circuit Itineraries
Conservation Corporation of Africa - Tanzania - View the famed Serengeti migration from the top line safari camps in Africa.
Migration Camp - Luxury lodge in excellent location for the migration during June - October
Tarangire Treetops - Luxury exclusive lodge in Tarangire Conservation Area.
Zanzibar - old culture and beautiful beaches. This is the best way to see this.
Sand Rivers Selous - luxury lodge and walking in this wild park off the beaten track.
Selous and Ruaha - Southern Circuit Itineraries

Chimpanzee trekking

Mahale Mountains Tented Camp - Rolland Purcell's luxury camp on Lake Tanganyika,

Klein's Camp

Uganda - "The Pearl of Africa" Uganda has become a preferred destination for those seeking an exclusive safari experience combining pristine beauty, diverse habitat and wildlife. 30% of the area enclosed by Uganda's boarders is covered by water. Equatorial rainforest, montane forests, snowcapped peaks and savanah make Uganda one of the most geographically and biologically diverse regions in the world. Although Uganda is best known for its gorilla, visitors often leave with the sense that the sighting of these awe inspiring animals is second place to the overwhelming beauty of the country.

INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS:

ZANZIBAR- old culture and beautiful beaches. For an exclusive island getaway we recommend Mnemba Island Club.
INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS - Tropical paradise in Mauritius and the Seychelles.

Cape To Cairo: African Business and Adventure Travel
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