East Africa has some of the finest wildlife areas on Earth, and choosing between them is half the fun. The East Africa national parks of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda include the plains of the Masai Mara and the Serengeti, the elephant herds of Amboseli, the mountain gorillas of Bwindi and Volcanoes, and the chimpanzees of Kibale and Nyungwe. This page brings every park together, with a short guide to each and a link to its full page. Sense of Adventure is a licensed Nairobi-based operator, and we plan any combination into a private safari for you.
East Africa National Parks: Four Countries, Four Styles of Safari
Each country has its own character. Kenya is the home of the classic savanna safari, with big cats, huge herds and the most varied choice of lodges. Tanzania has the largest landscapes, from the Serengeti plains to the Ngorongoro Crater and the wild southern parks. Uganda is the country of primates, forests and the Nile, and Rwanda is a compact mountain nation with gorillas, chimpanzees and a rebuilt savanna. Most guests pick one country for a first trip, then return for another, and some combine two or more.
Start with the country guides below, then use the park cards in each section to go deeper:
Kenya National Parks and Reserves
Kenya is the easiest place to begin. Parks are close to Nairobi, roads and airstrips are well developed, and the range of lodges runs from simple camps to luxury tents. Kenya’s parks are managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service, and the best-known reserves by county governments. Read our full Kenya national parks guide for regions, fees and routes.
Lake Nakuru
Rhino sanctuary, Rothschild’s giraffe and birdlife around a soda lake.
Samburu
Dry northern country with rare species found nowhere else on a Kenya safari.
Tanzania National Parks
Tanzania’s parks are larger and wilder, and many are reached by light aircraft or long game drives. The northern circuit of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara is the classic route, while Ruaha and Nyerere in the south offer walking, boats and few other visitors. Read our full Tanzania national parks guide for routes and seasons.
Uganda National Parks
Uganda packs a lot into a small area: mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, tree-climbing lions and the Nile at Murchison Falls. Distances are longer than the map suggests because roads wind through hills, so plan your route carefully. Read our full Uganda national parks guide for routes, permits and seasons.
Queen Elizabeth
Tree-climbing lions, Kazinga Channel cruises and crater lakes.
Rwanda National Parks
Rwanda has three national parks, each different from the others, all within a day’s drive of Kigali. Gorilla trekking in the Virunga volcanoes is the headline, supported by chimpanzees in Nyungwe and the Big Five at Akagera. Read our full Rwanda national parks guide for routes and permits.
Which of the East Africa National Parks Is Right for You?
- First safari and big cats: the Masai Mara in Kenya or the Serengeti in Tanzania.
- Elephants and photography: Amboseli in Kenya and Tarangire in Tanzania.
- Mountain gorillas: Volcanoes in Rwanda, or Bwindi and Mgahinga in Uganda.
- Chimpanzees and forest walking: Kibale in Uganda and Nyungwe in Rwanda.
- Rhino: Lake Nakuru, Meru and Nairobi in Kenya, Ngorongoro in Tanzania, and Akagera in Rwanda.
- Quiet, wild and walking: Ruaha and Nyerere in Tanzania, Meru in Kenya.
- Boats and rivers: Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth in Uganda, Nyerere in Tanzania, Akagera in Rwanda.
- Short stay near a city: Nairobi National Park, or Akagera from Kigali.
Migration, Gorillas and Other Seasonal Highlights
Some of the best moments in the East Africa national parks follow the calendar. The wildebeest migration moves between the Serengeti and the Masai Mara, usually reaching the Mara from about July to October. Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking take place all year, with firmer trails in the drier months. The calving season on the southern Serengeti plains falls in the early part of the year, while the birdwatching in many parks is best in the wetter months, when migratory species arrive. Ask us about the timing of any particular sighting and we will build the itinerary around it.
Sample East Africa National Parks Itineraries
7 days: the classic Kenya circuit
Nairobi, Lake Nakuru, the Masai Mara and Amboseli. You see rhino and flamingo, big cats and herds, and elephants beneath Kilimanjaro, before ending in Nairobi.
10 days: Kenya and Tanzania
Begin in the Masai Mara, cross to the Serengeti and finish at the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire. This route follows the migration and links the two best-known savanna ecosystems. See our Kenya and Tanzania safari packages for more.
10 days: Uganda and Rwanda primates
Kibale for chimpanzees, Queen Elizabeth for lions and boats, Bwindi for gorillas, and then across the border to Volcanoes National Park for golden monkeys, and perhaps a second gorilla trek.
14 days: Mara, Serengeti and gorillas
Combine the Masai Mara and the Serengeti with a flight to Kigali and a gorilla trek at Volcanoes. It is a full East African journey of savanna and mountain forest. Browse our multi-country safaris for sample routes.
Parks, Reserves and Conservancies: What Is the Difference?
People use “national park” for every protected area, but the differences matter. National parks are usually managed by a national wildlife authority and have strict rules on driving and activities. Reserves, such as the Masai Mara and Samburu in Kenya, are managed by county governments or local authorities. Conservancies are private or community-owned land next to parks, with fewer vehicles and, often, night drives and walking safaris. A good itinerary often mixes all three, and we explain which applies to each stop in your quote.
Getting Between the Parks
Within a country, most of our guests travel by road in a private 4×4 Land Cruiser, which gives flexibility and turns the journey into part of the safari. For long distances, scheduled and charter flights serve airstrips in the Masai Mara, the Serengeti and many other parks. Between countries, the usual options are scheduled flights to Kigali, Kilimanjaro and Entebbe, or land crossings at the main borders, which we arrange with our driver-guides and partners. We suggest no more than one long travel day every second day, with at least two nights at each major park.
Family Safaris in the East Africa National Parks
Many parks suit families. Amboseli, Lake Nakuru and Nairobi National Park have short drives and easy sightings, the Masai Mara and Serengeti keep children interested with constant action, and Akagera and Lake Mburo offer calm, varied activities. Gorilla trekking has a minimum age of 15 in both Rwanda and Uganda, so families with younger children usually save it for later. Some lodges have minimum ages, so we check every property when a family travels.
Responsible Travel in the Parks
Park rules exist to protect the animals and your experience. Stay in the vehicle except at marked points, keep to the tracks, keep noise low near wildlife and never feed animals. On primate treks, keep your distance, never eat near the animals and do not trek if you are ill. Our driver-guides follow the rules at every stop, and we work with lodges that employ local staff, support community projects and manage water and waste carefully. Your park fees fund ranger patrols and conservation, so each visit helps keep the East Africa national parks wild.
Costs: What Affects the Price of an East Africa National Parks Safari
Four things drive the price of a safari across the East Africa national parks: the lodges you choose, the number of park days, the permits and activities you book, and whether you fly or drive between parks.
Accommodation makes the biggest difference, from comfortable mid-range lodges to luxury tented camps. Park fees are set by each country’s wildlife or development authority and by reserves and conservancies, and they change from time to time, so we do not list them here. Gorilla and chimpanzee permits in Uganda and Rwanda are limited and set by the authorities, and we confirm the current prices in your quote. A private vehicle with a driver-guide is shared by everyone in your group, so the cost per person falls as the group grows. We quote a single all-in price per person.
What to Pack for the Parks
Light, neutral clothing in layers works for all the East Africa national parks, since mornings are cool and afternoons can be hot. Bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, sun cream, insect repellent, binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens, a power bank and a soft bag if you are flying between parks. For gorilla and chimpanzee treks, add waterproof hiking boots, long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, light gloves and a rain jacket. A warm fleece helps in the highlands and at altitude.
When to Visit the East Africa National Parks
The parks are open all year, and the best time depends on the park. The dry months from June to October give the best wildlife viewing in most savanna parks and coincide with the Great Migration in the Masai Mara and northern Serengeti. January and February are also dry and bright. The long rains fall from March to May and the short rains in November, when the parks are green, prices are often lower and the crowds are thinner. Each park page gives more detail for that area.
Planning Your Route
A good route follows the map rather than jumping between countries. Kenya and northern Tanzania pair naturally because the Masai Mara and the Serengeti are parts of the same ecosystem. Uganda and Rwanda pair naturally because their gorilla parks lie on either side of the same volcanoes. If you want to link all four, plan on two weeks or more and expect to use at least one flight. Our safari finder helps you match parks to your interests, and our tailor-made safari page lets you tell us what you want.
How We Plan an East Africa National Parks Safari
Every Sense of Adventure safari runs in a private 4×4 vehicle with a professional driver-guide. We arrange lodges, park fees, permits, transfers and flights as one package, so you deal with one team from your first enquiry to your return home. Tell us the parks you would like to see, or let us suggest a route to suit your dates and budget.
See where to sleep on our lodges and camps page, browse our safari packages, or read our travel guides for planning tips.
Practical Notes for Visiting the East Africa National Parks
Each country has its own entry rules, currency and practicalities, and we explain them in your trip notes. Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda all use different currencies, though US dollars are widely accepted at lodges and for park fees, and major cards work in most towns and lodges. English is widely spoken in all four countries, alongside Swahili and, in Rwanda, French and Kinyarwanda. Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda share the same time zone, and Rwanda is one hour behind.
Speak to your doctor well before departure about vaccinations and malaria advice, since requirements depend on the regions you visit, and take out travel insurance that covers medical evacuation. Emergency evacuation cover is included on every Sense of Adventure trip.
Building a trip around your interests
The best itineraries start with one clear priority, such as the migration, gorillas or a quiet corner away from crowds, and then add supporting parks that match it. A traveller who wants gorillas might begin in Rwanda or Uganda and add a savanna park for contrast. A first-time visitor who wants big cats might choose the Masai Mara and the Serengeti, and add Amboseli or Tarangire for elephants. We have planned many versions of these routes, and we will suggest changes if your dates, budget or fitness suggest a better choice.
Travelling in a small private group
Most of our guests travel as couples, families or small groups of friends, in a vehicle that belongs to the group alone. That means you can ask your driver-guide to stay longer with a sighting, start early for photography or skip a stop that does not interest you. It also means that dietary needs, mobility needs and children’s schedules are easy to manage.
East Africa National Parks FAQs
Which of the East Africa national parks is the best?
It depends on what you want. The Masai Mara and the Serengeti are best for big cats and the migration, Bwindi and Volcanoes for mountain gorillas, Amboseli for elephants and Nyungwe or Kibale for chimpanzees.
Can I visit more than one country on one safari?
Yes. Kenya and Tanzania combine easily, as do Uganda and Rwanda, and many guests link all four with a flight or two.
How many parks can I visit in one trip?
Two to four parks in a week to ten days is a comfortable pace. More than that means too much time travelling.
Do I need to book park entry and permits in advance?
We handle all park entry fees and permits as part of your safari. Gorilla permits in particular are limited, so tell us your dates early.
Are the East Africa national parks suitable for children?
Many are, especially Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Nairobi National Park and Akagera. Gorilla trekking has a minimum age of 15.