Experience the Ultimate in Maasai Mara Safaris

Tanzania is a country that does nothing by halves, whether it’s a question of the epic scale of its wild places, the standards of its luxury safari lodges, or the quality of the wildlife experiences.

Like Kenya, Tanzania offers travelers the chance to combine both bush and beach experiences without the need for additional ink in their passports: the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba offer fascinating history, chilled beach time and excellent diving.

Tanzania’s almost synonymous with the Great Wildebeest Migration, the annual event which draws tourists to the Serengeti in the same unerring way that it calls to the itinerant antelope.

While the Serengeti’s endless sea of grass offers scope for the grandest of safari ambitions to be played out, it’s by no means the only wildlife-viewing hotspot in the country.

The ‘lost world’ of Ngorongoro Crater offers an uplifting descent into an extinct volcano, while Tarangire’s baobab trees compete with local elephant for lens time.

Benignly frowning down on the plains of northern Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro issues its silent challenge to more adventurous travelers. Southern Tanzania offers ample opportunities and space to leave the beaten path, and experience safari at its most authentic.

• Rates (USD)
  $220 to $639 pp/day
• Best Time to Go
  June to October; January to February (For wildebeest calving)
• High Season
  July to March (North), June to October (South and west)

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If you’ve ever wanted to sit with mountain gorillas in their natural rainforest habitat then a Uganda safari will deliver on your expectations. Boasting a 90% success rate at finding habituated gorilla family groups in the extraordinary Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, gorilla trekking in Uganda has become one of Africa’s most powerful wildlife experiences and such is its success that the gorilla population is actually increasing.

But don’t think that a Uganda safari is only about gorillas in rainforests: this landlocked East African country is home to a range of diverse national parks and is a strong contender for one of the world’s best bird watching destinations. Head for Murchison Falls or Queen Elizabeth National Park for classic big game viewing, chimpanzee trekking and river cruises.

Kibale, in southern Uganda, forms a massive wildlife corridor with Queen Elizabeth National Park that is used by migrating elephants in search of water. A mixture of tropical rainforest, swamp and grasslands, Kibale supports Africa’s biggest population of chimpanzees as well as at least a dozen other primate species. It is a top destination for those wanting to trek primates, including gorillas, and with over 320 recorded bird species, is also a haven for twitchers.

A green, hilly and elevated country with many lakes and mountains, Uganda’s appeal lies in its simplicity. Infrastructure is limited but growing and there is now a good range of safari accommodation and city-based hotels. Ideal for seasoned safari-goers, bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts, Uganda’s star is on the rise – combine it with Kenya or Tanzania for a holistic East African safari experience.

• Rates (USD)
  $220 to $639 pp/day
• Best Time to Go
  June to October; January to February (For wildebeest calving)
• High Season
  July to March (North), June to October (South and west)

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If you’re looking for a destination that will take you out of your comfort zone and into the heart of nature, consider Rwanda. Gorilla tourism is alive and well in Rwanda and remains the biggest draw for visitors to the region. As Rwanda becomes increasingly more popular, it has also become known as a luxury safari destination, much like Kenya and Tanzania, its eastern neighbors. Travelers to Rwanda will likely fly into the country’s capital Kigali, a vibrant and exciting city.

From there, journey to one (or more!) of the many luxury lodges that await to please and pamper in between gorilla treks. Travel northeast from Kigali to Wilderness Safaris’ new Magashi lodge in Akagera National Park for game drives to see the Big Five. Singita’s new Kwitonda Lodge is set on the edge of Volcanoes National Park and One & Only’s much-anticipated Gorilla’s Nest lodge, located in a lush, fragrant eucalyptus forest, just opened in the region. One & Only’s Nyungwe House rounds out the safari experience—there, guides take guests to the protected jungle in surrounding Nyungwe National Park to spy troops of colobus monkeys and chimpanzees.

• Rates (USD)
  $220 to $639 pp/day
• Best Time to Go
  June to October; January to February (For wildebeest calving)
• High Season
  July to March (North), June to October (South and west)