4 Things to Do in East Africa
Africa is one of the top 5 destinations I get questioned about often. I will not admit I am an African expert because there is so much to learn. Today, I share with you a list I have collected of the top things to do in east Africa in case you are considering a trip. Let’s get started!
By Kavonda L. Rogers
Big Game and The Great Migrations, Tanzania
The Great Migration of Africa is an amazing site. For those of us around during the 1980’s think back Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. Circular grazing paths full of over a million wildebeast and hundreds of thousands of zebras make for an awesome sight. You can actually feel the earth moving beneath your feet as the Serengeti trembles under the movement of so many animals. There are many safari expeditions that will allow you to see the big five in their natural habitat- Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Rhinoceros and Cape Buffalo. The beauty of this area adds to the excitement of animal watching.
Victoria Falls, Zambia & Zimbabwe
If you prefer your natural beauty to stand still and not move or if you love waterfalls (like me) then the Victoria Falls are for you.
Mosi-oa-Tunya (“The Smoke That Thunders) on the Zambezi river forms one of the most monumental water spectacles in the world as more than 10,000 cubic meters of water cascades down 108 meters every second! When the water of the Zambezi recedes marginally, it is possible to walk along the lip of the falls and plunge into one of the many rock pools formed through erosion over thousands of years. While it is impossible to achieve this feat when the Zambezi is raging in full flow, the view from the edge of the falls makes for one of the most exhilarating experiences. Do not expect to hold or conversation or maybe even think because the sound of the falls is similar to standing near a 500 watt amp at a concert. The experience will be unforgettable and the memories will be with you forever.
Gorilla Watching at the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
The Bwindi Forest is home to roughly half the world’s mountain gorillas population and is divided into four zones for tracking gorillas. Experts have been tracking gorillas in this area for many years. Once you obtain a tracking permit then 8 people are allowed to track one gorilla group per day. This is a great add on for a Safari adventure, so don’t miss out.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
For those truly wishing to stretch their adventure wings this is a quest of a lifetime. Imagine climbing Africa’s highest mountain, literally soaring above the cloud, atop the world! Not only this, the view throughout the final stretch of the trek to the summit is unbelievable. The Karanga camp just shy of the peak will offer you the opportunity of a lifetime – touching marshmallow clouds while standing above them, as the sun rises in the distance and awakens the world beneath you. You can also spot Meru – Kilimanjaro’s little sister in the distance. The peak itself also offers views of sparkling glaciers and Mawenzi’s spikes breaking through the uniformly ragged cloud cover, as the satisfaction of accomplishing the formidable climb amplifies the humbling yet exciting feeling of standing atop the world.
