Discover East Africa

Top Places to Explore

Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar

Kenya and Tanzania have protected their natural assets through national park systems, recognizing that conservation and sustainable tourism serve as an economic engine while protecting wildlife that poachers once preyed upon. Wildlife safaris bring visitors to both Kenya and Tanzania.

Samburu Game Reserve is home to one of Kenya’s largest elephant populations and several well-known research projects on carnivores, lions and elephants. You can find four of the Big Five, and though no rhinos are present, it’s an excellent place to see leopards, lions and elephants.

Masai Mara National Game Reserve straddles the border of Kenya and Tanzania and lies within the latter’s Serengeti National Park, where grazing animals feed. Adjacent to the reserve, the Mara Naboisho Conservancy was established by over 500 Maasai landowners. Visit a village to understand the community better.  Naboisho has one of the highest lion densities in the entire Mara ecosystem.

Close to the equator, it is surprising to see the snow-covered summits of Africa’s second-highest peak, Mount Kenya, 5,200 m (17,058 ft), in northern Kenya.

With 22 national parks and 40 percent of the country’s land protected, Tanzania offers exceptional landscapes, history and wildlife viewing.

Top natural attractions include Lake Victoria and the Great Rift Valley, which lies between Syria and Mozambique. Lying in the valley, Lake Manyara, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, links Tarangire National Park with Ngorongoro Conservation Area with its 8,000 year-old volcanic crater, Olduvai Gorge – often called the Cradle of Mankind based on discoveries by paleoanthropologist Mary Leakey and her husband Louis – Serengeti National Park, home to the Masai Mara National Game Reserve, borders Kenya. 

Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain at 5,895 m (19,341 ft) and lies east of Mount Meru, the country’s second-highest mountain, in Arusha National Park.

Zanzibar, an island off the coast of Tanzania, is a perfect post-safari end to an adventure-filled trip to Africa. Surrounded by coral reefs, its coastline is pure white sand and endless views of idyllic aqua-blue waters offering excellent snorkeling and diving. The island and nearby Pemba Island retain influences from earlier rulers, including native Swahilis, Arabs, Indians, the British and the Germans, in dress, customs, cuisine, music and arts. Old Stone, an historic town on the central west coast and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an exceptional example of how a trading town blends with modern life. 

Zanzibar boasts 15 beaches around the island. Other natural attractions include the Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park, home to the red colobus monkey endemic to the country and a vast number of avian species, and Ngezi Forest Reserve, a dense rainforest on the northwest edge of Pemba Island, which provides a haven for the Pemba flying fox fruit bats, primates and the marsh mongoose, among others. Two other forest reserves are Kiwengwa/Ponge on the northeast coast and Masingini, also a city park, which has endemic and rare plant and animal species, including insects, butterflies and amphibians. The latter reserve supports the island’s water supply via 35 gorges.

Visitors to Zanzibar can visit Stone Town’s Slave Market to learn about the slave trade or see the Freddie Mercury Museum, which showcases the Zanzibar-born former member of the rock group Queen. Besides dining in a cafe, a culinary event worth participating in is the Forodohani Gardens Night Market, a daily open-air food event starting at 6:00pm. This engaging experience, filled with seafood and the aroma of spices, lets visitors connect with local chefs who share local culture through their street food.

About 30 minutes west of Stone Town via boat is Prison Island. Its name is a misnomer, as the site was actually used to quarantine individuals during the yellow fever epidemic. Visitors can feed tortoises, swim, snorkel or sunbathe. If lucky, one might spot a Duiker, a tiny antelope species.

Zanzibar, previously known as the Spice Island, is now home to spice farms and tours that highlight its flavors. Its proximity to the equator means tides roll in and out twice each day, creating a thriving seaweed farm industry, too.

Because of its strong religious beliefs, visitors are asked to dress modestly when not at a resort.

Madagascar

Explore this large Indian Ocean island off the coast of Mozambique, was a strategic French colonial military site until it gained independence in 1960. French influence remains prevalent in Malagasy life. Residents speak French, cook French cuisine, build in French architectural styles, and follow French customs. Expatriates reinforce their homeland’s traditions.

Mozambique

Along the coast, Mozambique offers a wide range of activities, from hiking in the mountains to exploring ancient rock art, a 500-year-old fort, and UNESCO sites. Discover amazing archipelagos with diving and snorkeling near casual beachside communities, plus other outdoor recreation pursuits and historic trading towns.

The Quirimbas National Park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Its namesake archipelago consists of 32 islands in the northernmost area with colorful corals, mangroves, fishing villages and Swahili trade history.

One of Africa’s largest open spaces, Niassa Special Reserve covers 42,000 km² in northern Mozambique and is home to 40,000 residents and wildlife.

On the border with Zimbabwe, the Chimanimani Mountains include the country’s highest point, Monte Binga. Hikers can travel from lowlands to alpine grasslands. Waterfalls and ancient rock art are highlights.

At the southern end of the Great Rift Valley, Gorongosa National Park is being restored following the civil war. Wildlife is being returned with coffee farmers funding reforestation efforts.

Bazaruto Archipelago, five islands of white dunes, is the centerpiece of the country’s marine sanctuary. Discover crocodiles, manatees or seacows, sailfish, trevallies and seasonally humpback whales. Vilanculos, a lagoon tidal town, serves as its gateway and as a deep-sea charter base. Experience the local market with smoked fish and fresh fruit, hometown beer, and popular recipes passed down through generations.

Towns and fishing villages range from Tofu, a marine science hub and a surfer’s dream, with year-round whale sharks and manta rays.

Inhambane Old Town, overlooking its namesake bay, is one of the oldest continually settled towns in this region of Africa. Indian and Arab merchants once traded cotton and ivory. Visitors can climb the cathedral’s towers for views, rent bicycles and ride to village bakeries and beaches at Tofu and Barra.

Ilha de Moçambique is the UNESCO-listed island capital, with a history dating back 500 years of Swahili, Arab and Portuguese influence. Fort São Sebastião is the oldest complete fort still standing in sub-Saharan Africa. The Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte (1522) is among the oldest European buildings in the southern hemisphere. The former governor’s palace serves as a museum and features historic Indian Ocean traders or merchants. Macuti Town is known for its fish markets, mosques and delicate silver work. 

The present-day seaside capital is Maputo. Much of the impressive downtown architecture dates back to the turn of the last century. Then as now, it is a city of music with genres ranging from jazz to African dance music – marrabenta. Visit the Central Market in the downtown Baixa neighborhood for seafood and Portuguese custard tarts. You can find works of art at the FEIMA craft fair. 

Ponta do Ouro, at the country’s southern tip, has a beach vibe with local food vendors and markets, an ATV dune trail and pods of dolphins in the distance.

Seychelles

Made up of 115 islands, the Seychelles sit on the western edge of the Indian Ocean, east of Tanzania. Once a British Crown colony, it became independent in the mid-70s. Mahé, the largest and most populated island, is surrounded by coral reefs. Rent a car to explore the island and take in exceptional coastal scenery and crystal-clear blue waters. Discover the town of Victoria with its museums, botanical gardens, state house and nearby Beau Vallon Beach. The Seychelles are home to rare birds, while offshore big game fish are plentiful.

Zambia

This country’s top attractions are thunderous Victoria Falls, its game reserves and Lake Tanganyika, an unusual inland sea. Experience Zambia’s culture, which highlights its heritage through dance, folk art and tribal customs. Outdoorsmen will be astounded by true tales of fishermen’s catches. South Luangwa National Park is reputed to be one of the continent’s best-stocked sanctuaries. Kafue National Park highlights the little antelope brought back from extinction, now roaming the Busanga Plains. Beach resorts at Kasaba and Nkamba Bays on Lake Tanganyika offer sailing, fishing and sunbathing.