Made up of several countries, Uganda the pearl of Africa, the magical Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda a land of a thousand hills , Democratic republic of Congo and south Sudan, East Africa is the great tourism destination every traveler should not miss out. Tourism in East Africa has been made easier by the introduction and promotion of the east African visa that enable travelers to cross East African borders with a single visa, also, East African countries especially, Uganda, Rwanda and the Kenya have agreed to market East Africa as a single tourism destination to promote tourism development, develop high quality products and fight competition in the tourism market. All these countries that make up East Africa have different and unique attractions and features natural and manmade, cultural and historical that a traveler should not miss out. Travelers visiting East Africa can do it in the following ways:
Gorilla trekking and forest walks in Rwanda
This is done in the volcanoes national park that is part of the Virunga conservation area shared across the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic republic of Congo, more still, the park is believed to be a home of over 350 mountain gorillas. More still, there are other primates and mammals encountered during gorilla trekking which are all interesting, the national park is made of bamboo vegetation that allows light penetration and with little under growth which make the activity easy and saves time. Also the volcanoes national park is only 2 hour drive from the Kigali international airport, travelers can trek gorillas on the day of arrival in order to save time.
In addition to gorilla tours in Rwanda, travelers have nature/forest walks in Nyungwe forest national park. This majestic rainforest is filled with nature and wildlife experiences for travelers to emerge in. Hiking or even biking the beautiful terrain, tracking , experiencing the canopy walk, witnessing beautiful birds, relaxing by waterfalls are just a glimpse of activities that travelers to Nyungwe can experience.
Uganda’s Murchison falls wildlife, rhinos and boat cruising along the Nile
Travelers in Murchison falls national park are always amazed to see the spectacular Murchison falls that squeeze in the 8 meter gorge and listen to the rearing thunder of the waters as it falls down forming a kind of rain bow, After a picnic overlooking the falls and a night in basic camp on the banks of the Upper Nile, more still, travelers have a game drive where they see a multiple of wild animals including the big five. Also, still in Murchison falls, travelers visit the Nile the where they have the interesting and enjoyable boat trip on the river.
In addition, travelers in Murchison falls national park visit the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, where to see the habituated rhinos not found anywhere else in the whole country, they are taught how to track rhinos with by the rangers and also the behaviors and habits of the endangered rhinos. It is real experience cannot forget.
Mt Kilimanjaro and Ngorongoro crater lake in Tanzania
Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest inactive, intact, and unfilled volcanic caldera is the main feature of the Ngorongoro conservation authority. The crater was formed when a large volcano exploded and collapsed on it two to three million years ago is 610 meters (2,000 feet) deep and its floor covers 260 square kilometers (100 square miles and is believed to have the densest population of Masai lions that are inbred. The elevation of the crater floor is 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) above sea level. In addition, the Crater was voted by Seven Natural Wonders as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa in Arusha, Tanzania in February 2013.
Still in Tanzania, mountain climbing can be done at the cloud-swathed peaks of Africa’s highest mountain of Kilimanjaro that inspire climbers of all ages and abilities. This magnificent, still partially ice-capped peak crowns fantastically lush volcanic slopes, with plenty of wildlife interest along the lower forest trails. Travelers are assured of the great experience that they will always live to remember while in Tanzania.
Birding and wildlife viewing in Kenya
Often called the greatest bird spectacle on earth, Lake Nakuru is a very shallow lake in central Kenya. The lake’s abundance of algae attracts vast quantities of lesser flamingos, sometimes more than one million at once making the flamingos’ one of Kenya’s top attractions. However, the increased environmental degradation and pollution in recent years has reduced the number of flamingos at Lake Nakuru national park.
More still, Samburu National Reserve is a very peaceful national park in Northern Kenya which attracts wildlife because of the Uaso Nyiro River that runs through it and the mixture of forest and grassland vegetation. All three big cats, lion, cheetah and leopard, can be found here, as well as elephants, buffalo and hippos. The Uaso Nyiro River contains large numbers of Nile crocodiles which are hard to locate in other national parks and protected areas. Travelers to Kenya really have a lot of opportunities that provide them with the memorable experience.
Hiking of Mt Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nyiragongo volcanic mountain has the world’s largest lava lake in that its incandescent light can be seen from neighboring Rwanda on a clear night. The summit rim is largely devoid of vegetation and is frequently dusted with snow, from the rim, visitors can peer down into a churning lava lake and see and hear hot gases exploding up though a mosaic of molten lava the hike is about five-hour trek through dense forest and across lava fields takes thrill-seekers to the summit
In conclusion, East Africa has a vast of tourism attractions and activities that are shared by different countries. Some activities are similar in both countries but the experience derived is different. Travelers are encouraged to experience each country since they are all unique in their own; also, it is now possible to visit all East African countries such as Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda as a single destination using a single visa.
