4 Best National Parks in East Africa – Wildlife National Parks to Visit in East Africa

Some of the world’s most recognizable and varied national parks are found in East Africa. Visitors can enjoy the amazing natural beauty and wildlife of the continent in these parks, which range from the endless savannah of the Serengeti to the misty mountains of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Everyone can find something to enjoy in East Africa’s national parks, regardless of their level of experience with safari travel. Here are some of the top ones: Enjoy an amazing wildlife safari holiday with your loved ones in these national parks in East Africa.

If it’s on your bucket list, the national parks below are recommended to visit in East Africa. Enjoy sightings such as the great wildebeest migration in Kenya and Tanzania, trekking with gorillas in a Uganda Safari, or spot the big fives in the plains of the extensive Masai Mara and Serengeti Parks.

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AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK

4 Best National Parks in East Africa – Wildlife National Parks to Visit in East Africa

Originally known as Maasai Amboseli Game Reserve, this 151-square-mile ecotourism hotspot in Kenya’s Rift Valley was first set aside for preservation in 1906, established as a national park in 1974, and declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1991.

Although primarily known as the best place in the world for viewing free-ranging elephant herds, Amboseli National Park also offers opportunities for cultural interactions with the indigenous Maasai people, extraordinary views of Mount Kilimanjaro, and a vast array of wildlife ranging from the “Big 5” mammals to over 400 species of birds.

Located 150 miles southeast of Nairobi, Amboseli is Kenya’s second-most popular national park, attracting around 120,000 visitors annually.

You may also like to check out Woodward Reservoir Camping: Unwind and Connect with Nature’s Beauty.

MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

Masai Mara is the best place in Kenya to observe the Big 5! With grasslands and beautiful plains, the Masai Mara National Reserve is home to other wildlife species, too, including hyenas, hippos, elands, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, cheetahs, jackals, and impalas.

A “bucket list” dream for practically every traveler with a passion for wildlife, the Maasai Mara is part of the massive Serengeti ecosystem, which covers approximately 12,000 square miles in northern Tanzania and southwestern Kenya. Enjoy Masai Market Days in Nairobi after every safari from Masai Mara or any other destination.

The Maasai Mara is a prime destination for witnessing the annual Great Migration, which is widely considered among the world’s Top 10 Natural Wonders.

Every year, millions of gazelles, wildebeests, and zebras make the arduous 500-mile trek northwest to Kenya in search of water and fresh grass. The famous crossing at the Mara River, where hungry crocodiles lie in wait, is unlike any other safari spectacle you’re likely to see.

BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK, UGANDA

With swamps and bamboo dominating the landscape, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to a little less than half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas. Hike through the park and track the gorillas! You can also spot over 200 species of butterflies and 300 species of birds here.

Bwindi is located in southwestern Uganda, about 502 km from the capital, Kampala. By road, the journey takes 8–10 hours but includes stopovers such as an equator crossing experiment, a making experience, friendly locals, and scenery.

However, coming from Kigali, Rwanda, provides quick access to Bwindi within 3 hour’s drive. Travelers can fly with Rwanda Air and then cross over to Uganda for gorilla trekking.

In addition to gorilla trekking, tourists can take village walks in the local communities. There are Bakiga and Batwa pygmies offering cultural encounters. You get to learn about their traditions, food, dance performances, and arts and crafts.

SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

Seeing Serengeti National Park included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List doesn’t surprise me. Serengeti is Tanzania’s oldest but most exciting national park.

It serves as a great vantage point to witness the annual Great Wildebeest Migration, the movement of thousands of wildebeests and zebras into Maasai Mara, which takes place from July to September.

Serengeti provides hot-air balloon safaris where you have unobstructed views of its assorted wildlife, captivating scenery, and vast plains.

Here, you will get a chance to learn about the iconic Maasai culture. In a bid to maximize the tourist experience, luxury lodges and camps with fantastic features can be found in or near the park.

Explore East Africa extensively with our exclusive African Safari Holiday, privately guided, and well-curated safari itineraries. We guarantee you an epic safari in Africa.