East Africa is considered an amazing tourist destination. The region is known for diversity that offers something for everyone. It is known for wildlife seen in game reserves and national parks. It also has other tourist attractions such as monuments, cultures, museums, and beaches. On this page, we give a list of 21 main East African tourist attractions.
Tanzania
7. Katavi National Park
Katavi National Park is a haven for wildlife. It is located in the Western part of Tanzania. Travelers enjoy seeing buffalos, crocodiles, and hippos among other wild animals. Other fun activities include camping and walking safaris.
6. Ruaha National Park
Travelers love visiting Ruaha National Park. It is a good destination for seeing predators such as lions. Travelers also spot elephants and unusual species of antelopes such as sable and greater kudu. Other fun activities include balloon safaris and guided nature walks.
5. Nyerere National Park
This is the largest national park in Tanzania. River Rufiji, infested by crocodiles, divides Nyerere National Park. It remains among the main East African tourist attractions. Travelers enjoy the sightings of crocodiles, elephants, and wild dogs among other animals.
4. Ngorongoro Conservation Area
This is one of the main East African tourist attractions. It is home to Ngorongoro Crater. It is also popular for amazing wildlife viewing. Travelers come to see wildebeests, gazelles, elephants, rhinos, and zebras among other animals. This area is also superb for bird watching.
3. Zanzibar Beaches
Zanzibar island is a major tourist destination in Tanzania. The beaches here are among the best in the world. Travelers love the beautiful island.
2. Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
This is the most visited place in Africa. The park shelters Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa. It also tops globally among the highest freestanding mountains. Many tourists have hiked Mount Kilimanjaro. It is best for the most daring tourists. Apart from hiking, travelers enjoy game drives.
1. Serengeti National Park
The park is among the main East African tourist attractions. It plays a key role in boosting tourism in Africa. The park is home to about 2 million wildebeests. More than 1000 leopards, 4000 lions, and 500 cheetahs inhabit this area. The park has recorded over 500 species of birds. The park is known for its diversity when it comes to mammals. It is also known for the Great Migration. This occurs when wildebeests migrate to and from Kenya for green grass.
Uganda
7. Ssese Islands
This island is known for its sun-kissed beaches. Travelers love the destination for premier relaxation.
6. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
This is another popular tourist destination. It is popular for mountain gorillas. Travelers also enjoy sightings of golden monkeys, jackals, and elephants.
5. Kidepo Valley National Park
Wildlife lovers enjoy visiting Kidepo Valley National Park. They report extraordinary safari experiences. Visitors enjoy game drives, hiking, bird watching, and nature walks. The park has recorded over 75 mammal species and 470 bird species. The best time to visit is between September and March. However, you can visit any time of the year depending on your interests,
4. Queen Elizabeth National Park
It is popular for its unique tree-climbing lions. It is home to a variety of large wild animals. Travelers enjoy sightings of over 10 species of primates such as chimpanzees. The park has recorded over 600 species of birds. This makes bird watching a beautiful experience. Other activities in the park include tracking chimps, balloon safaris, and cultural tours.
3. Kibale National Park
It is one of the top safari destinations in East Africa. It is popular for the highest number of primates including chimpanzees. Travelers enjoy several activities. These include forest hikes, watching primates, tracking primates, guided nature walks, etc.
2. Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park has the most powerful waterfall. The waterfall emits about 300 cubic meters of water per second. The powerful pressure makes the surroundings tremble. It is rich in wildlife. Travelers see elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, etc. The park is also known for bird watching with over 451 species. Other common activities include game drives, tracking of chimpanzees, hot air balloon safaris, etc. You can visit this place across the year. However, the dry season is the best time.
1. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
This national park is among the main East African tourist attractions. It is situated in the southwestern areas of Uganda. The impenetrable forest covers the hillsides of this park. This forest is home to over 400 species of plants. The forest also protects over 320 mountain gorillas. Travelers enjoy the tracking of mountain gorillas. They enjoy trekking adventures in the impenetrable forest. The park has recorded over 346 species of birds and 200 species of butterflies. This makes it an ideal place to explore. The park has played a key role in boosting tourism in Africa. It is the most visited place in Africa.
Kenya
7. South Coast Beaches
Kenya is also home to beach lovers. The South Coast area offers a range of options. Travelers love Diani and Watamu Beaches. These are among the most beautiful beaches in the world.
6. Tsavo National Park
This park is divided into two; east and west. Tsavo West is wetter. It is popular for crocodiles and hippos. It is also known for bird watching and Chaimu Crater. Tsavo East is known for a variety of wildlife. Visitors can see large herds of elephants among other animals.
5. Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is a haven for wild animals. Visitors can see leopards, wildebeests, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and cheetahs among others.
4. Lake Naivasha
This is the best destination for birders. Lake Naivasha is home to over 400 species. Other wild animals such as hippos, buffaloes, giraffes, and zebras are spotted here.
3. Lake Nakuru National Park
The park is popular for pink flamingos. The birds cover most of the park’s area. Over 450 bird species have been spotted in this park. It is also rich in wildlife. Visitors can see leopards, rhinos, lions, pythons, warthogs, etc.
2. Amboseli National Reserve
Amboseli National Reserve is among the top tourist attractions in Kenya. Travelers enjoy a close view of large herds of elephants. Other common animals include lions, cheetahs, gazelles, giraffes, etc. The reserve has recorded over 600 bird species.
1. Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve is among the main East African tourist attractions. It is a unique area for wildlife. It is popular for the natural diversity of wildlife. This makes it among the best tourist attractions in Kenya. Travelers enjoy sightings of lions, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, giraffes, etc. This reserve is among the seven wonders of the world. As a result, tourists across the world purpose to visit it. Masai Mara is famous for the Great Migration. Millions of wildebeests, zebras and other animals migrate into Mara from Serengeti. The migration makes the reserve the main tourist attraction in Africa. Visitors enjoy game drives, balloon safaris, camping, village visits, etc.
We have composed a list of 21 main East African tourist attractions for you. These are the must-go places when you visit East Africa. Do you want to learn more about tourist destinations in any country in East Africa? Feel free to contact us.