Nature Link Safaris arranges unforgettable journeys across the top East Africa safari destinations: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda, with tailor-made adventures into the Democratic Republic of Congo where conditions allow. As a Uganda Tourism Board-licensed tour operator running Uganda safari tours since 2007, we design personalized itineraries with guaranteed departures, standardized 4WD safari vehicles, guaranteed window seats, and direct booking with no middleman.
Choosing among East Africa safari destinations comes down to what draws you most: misty mountain forests where you can sit a few meters from a gorilla family, open savannas that host the largest land migration on Earth, an active volcano with a lava lake, or white-sand beaches on the Indian Ocean. Many of these East Africa safari destinations sit close enough together that several are reachable within the same two- or three-week trip. Each destination offers something distinct, and most travelers find that combining two or more countries gives the richest, most efficient itinerary.
Uganda: Our Top East Africa Safari Destination for Primates
Uganda is one of Africa’s premier primate destinations and the heart of our safari portfolio, with tailor-made trips available. It’s the rare country where you can combine world-class gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and classic Big Five game drives without long overland transfers between them.
Where to go:
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park:
Mountain gorilla trekking, home to roughly half the world’s remaining population - Kibale Forest National Park:
some of Africa’s highest chimpanzee-sighting success rates - Queen Elizabeth National Park:
Tree-climbing lions, Kazinga Channel boat cruises, Big Five game drives - Murchison Falls National Park:
The Nile’s most dramatic waterfall, big game, and Nile boat cruises - Rwenzori Mountains National Park:
High-altitude trekking on Africa’s third-highest range - Kidepo Valley National Park:
Remote, rugged wilderness for travelers wanting fewer crowds
Best time to visit: Year-round destination; dry seasons (June–September and December–February) offer easier trail access for trekking and clearer game viewing.
Kenya: The Masai Mara and the Great Migration
Kenya delivers the classic African safari experience, anchored by the dramatic landscapes of the Masai Mara and the world-famous Great Migration, tracked annually by the Kenya Wildlife Service. It’s often the destination travelers picture when they imagine “safari,” open plains, golden light, and some of the most reliable Big Five sightings on the continent.
Where to go:
- Masai Mara National Reserve:
The Great Migration’s river crossings, consistent Big Five game drives - Amboseli National Park:
Large elephant herds photographed against Mount Kilimanjaro - Lake Nakuru National Park:
Flamingos, pelicans, and a rhino sanctuary - Tsavo East & West National Parks:
Kenya’s largest protected wilderness - Mombasa / Diani / Malindi Coast:
Beach relaxation and Swahili heritage after a game-drive-heavy itinerary
Best time to visit: June–October for peak game viewing, with July–October being the migration’s dramatic river-crossing season; January–February for a second dry-season window with calving activity.
Tanzania: Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater
Tanzania pairs some of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife destinations, the Serengeti and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with Africa’s highest peak and the beaches of Zanzibar, making it one of the most complete single-country trips among East Africa safari destinations.
Where to go:
- Serengeti National Park:
Year-round Big Five game viewing and the heart of the Great Migration - Ngorongoro Conservation Area:
The world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, densely packed with wildlife - Tarangire National Park:
Massive elephant herds among baobab- studded landscapes - Lake Manyara National Park:
Tree-climbing lions and flamingo-lined shores - Mount Kilimanjaro:
Africa’s highest trek, with multiple routes for different experience levels - Zanzibar / Stone Town:
Beaches, coral reefs, and centuries-old Swahili heritage
Best time to visit: June–October for the Migration’s river crossings; January–February for the calving season; Kilimanjaro is climbable year-round, with January–March and June–October being the driest windows.
Rwanda: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Rwanda offers a premium, efficient gorilla trekking experience, clean, safe, and compact enough that travelers spend more time with wildlife and less time in transit. It’s a natural pairing with Uganda’s primate safaris and a favorite for travelers with limited time who still want a bucket-list wildlife encounter among East Africa safari destinations.
Where to go:
- Volcanoes National Park:
Mountain gorilla trekking and golden monkey tracking against the Virunga volcanic range - Mount Bisoke and the Virunga peaks:
Volcano hikes to crater lakes - Kigali:
One of Africa’s cleanest, safest capitals, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial - Lake Kivu:
Boat trips, kayaking, and lakeside relaxation - Nyungwe Forest National Park:
chimpanzee tracking and a forest canopy walkway - Akagera National Parks:
Savanna game drives, including reintroduced lions and rhinos
Best time to visit: June–September and December–February for firmer, drier trekking trails; permits are limited and should be booked well ahead regardless of season.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is home to extraordinary experiences, Grauer’s gorilla trekking in Kahuzi-Biega National Park and the active lava lake of Mount Nyiragongo in Virunga National Park, both set within the Congo Basin’s vast rainforest. Under normal conditions, this is some of the rarest wildlife access in Africa.
However, as of 2026, the governments of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand advise against all travel to the North and South Kivu provinces, where both parks are located, due to active armed conflict. Virunga’s tourism program is currently suspended, and there is an active Ebola outbreak in the same region.
We are not offering DRC itineraries at this time and won’t until the security and public health situation stabilizes. If gorilla trekking in the Virunga volcanic range is what draws you, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park offers the same experience from the safe side of the border, fully operational today. Contact us to be notified if this changes.
Combine Two or More Destinations
Many travelers combine two or more East Africa safari destinations into one seamless itinerary. Because Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania are closely linked by regional flights and well-established overland routes, combining countries often adds only a day or two of travel while significantly expanding what a trip covers.
Uganda and Rwanda (7–10 days):
Gorilla trekking in both Bwindi and Volcanoes National Park, ideal for primate-focused travelers who want to compare experiences across two of the world’s three gorilla-trekking countries, with Lake Kivu or Kigali as a relaxed add-on.
Uganda and Kenya (10–14 days):
Pair chimpanzee tracking and Big Five game drives with the Masai Mara’s open savanna, a strong choice for first-time safari-goers who want primates and classic plains game in one trip.
Tanzania and Zanzibar (8–12 days):
Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater game viewing followed by a beach escape on Zanzibar, a favorite for honeymooners and travelers who want safari and relaxation in balance.
Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania (2–3 weeks):
For travelers with more time who want primates, savanna, and the Serengeti’s Great Migration landscape in a single, unhurried itinerary.
The full East African circuit (20–25 days):
Our most comprehensive route, combining Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, offers gorillas, chimpanzees, the migration, Ngorongoro, and Kilimanjaro views in one trip for travelers who want to see the region in full.
Our team designs multi-country routes that minimize transit time while maximizing wildlife and cultural encounters, coordinating border crossings, permits, and connecting flights so travelers don’t have to.
