East Africa is home to more than sixty national parks. This vast area of the continent is made up of five countries: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania. Visiting these parks takes time – and money. Choosing a destination and national park can be complicated and confusing. Many things need to be taken into account before a decision can be made. How do you get there? Is it expensive? Can I visit independently? You won’t find budget hotels inside National Parks. Luxury lodges, with luxury prices, tend to dominate the scene. Some parks have no overnight accommodation options. These are all things that need to be considered before you decide on a destination.
Everyone’s heard of the Masai Mara and Serengeti – two world renowned spots, for good reason. They are also two of the most expensive and busiest parks, which can sometimes detract from the experience. We recently spent four months in this region, visiting all five countries. We explored multiple National Parks in each destination, and saw loads of amazing wildlife. Some parks stand out more than the others for various reasons. Here, we share our favourite three – plus where we stayed and useful tips.
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Meru National Park, Kenya
Meru National Park, in northern Kenya, is an untouched gem. Most visitors to Kenya focus on the more famous spots, so Meru often gets overlooked. The benefit of this is that you can have the whole park almost to yourself. Rhinos and elephants are easy to spot, along with a variety of other animals. The unspoilt park still has a wild, undiscovered feel.
Adding to Meru’s allure is its accessibility. You can reach the park gate using public transport. From Nairobi, matatus (minivans) depart when full, bound for the nearby town of Maua. From there, the park entrance is just a 25-minute drive, with taxis and boda bodas (motorbike taxis) available to help you navigate this last stretch.
Accommodation is only a few minutes from the entrance, with several affordable options. We stayed at IKWETA Safari Lodge, which was excellent. Many lodges are all-inclusive, with all meals prepared for you – and they’ll even pack a lunch if you’re heading out on a safari for the day.
Safaris in the park are easy to arrange, or you can self-drive. Your lodge can connect you with local guides, or you can explore on your own.
Meru boasts a variety of landscapes, from open savannahs to forested areas. Massive groups of giraffes, called a tower, are a spectacular sight, as are families of rhinos grazing in plain view.
Another bonus is that the entrance fee is less than half that of Kenya’s more famous parks.
Meru National Park is perfect for independent travellers seeking value, a variety of wildlife, and a crowds-free experience.
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Kidepo National Park, Uganda
Uganda has a host of popular national parks that receive more than their fair share of visitors. Few travellers, however, make it to Kidepo National Park. It is one of Africa’s most remote parks, located in the far north along the border with South Sudan. Getting here is part of the adventure. ‘The last true wild of Africa’ is the parks motto – and it becomes abundantly clear as you travel along the dusty, bumpy road to the entrance.
The area surrounding the park has some beautiful lodges, all offering epic views. We stayed at Kidepo Savannah Lodge and were not disappointed. You can explore the park independently or on a guided safari, and it is even possible to do a night drive – a rare experience in East African parks.
Kidepo has very few lions, with leopards being the largest predators. As a result, buffalo and various antelope species roam in massive numbers. More than 450 bird species also call Kidepo home, making it a prime destination for wildlife and adventure seekers. Limited infrastructure means that huge portions of the park remain largely undisturbed, creating a true biodiversity haven.
Accessing Kidepo independently is possible using public transport. From Kampala, the journey takes a couple of days by bus, with an overnight stop in Gulu – which is how we reached the park. It was by no means easy, but it remains one of our most memorable trips. Most travellers self-drive, an 8–9 hour journey from Kampala, while flying in is also an option.
Due to the park’s remoteness, and limited visitors, entrance fees remain minimal, wildlife is abundant, and you often have the place almost entirely to yourself.
Kidepo National Park, with its rich array of wildlife, and untamed landscapes, is unlike anywhere else in Uganda – or East Africa. It’s a place for true explorers, and those with the curiosity and appetite to discover the undiscovered.
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This region is a dream come true for wildlife enthusiasts.
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Serengeti National Park is one destination you simply cannot miss. Sure, it’s popular and can be expensive, but the atmosphere here is truly out of this world. The sheer variety and number of animals is phenomenal. This is the ultimate place for big cat enthusiasts – lions are everywhere, and during our visit, we spotted more than thirty. Cheetah and leopard sightings are also regular, and with so much wildlife around, you’ll often be torn about where to look first.
The great migration takes place here, a spectacle that must be seen to be believed. Fantastic lodges inside the park create unforgettable memories. Falling asleep to the distant sounds of lions and hyenas isn’t an everyday experience. We stayed at Tukaone Serengeti Camp, an extraordinary place, where waking up at dawn for an early morning safari filled us with excitement and anticipation — eager to discover which weird and wonderful creatures we might encounter.
Getting to the Serengeti isn’t possible via public transport. Hiring a car and self-driving is straightforward but requires a fair bit of planning. Most travellers experience the park on a guided safari tour. Hundreds of companies offer tours, most departing from Arusha, and everything can be arranged before you leave home. Having an expert guide is invaluable and without doubt your best hope of locating whatever it is you dream of seeing.
The only potential drawback is visitor numbers. Safari jeeps queuing up at the park’s entrance may make you a little apprehensive, and rightly so. This apprehension quickly disappears, though, as the park is enormous. Containing thousands of kilometres of roads and tracks, the Serengeti quickly swallows the jeeps from view. It does get busy, and this will inevitably need to be managed by the authorities.
Serengeti National Park is the ultimate destination for nature and wildlife lovers. It is impossible not to be impressed by the sheer wildness of the place, along with the incredible animals who call it home.
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Final thoughts on East Africa’s best National Parks
Every National Park has something unique to offer. Different animals, scenery, and landscapes mean that no two parks are ever the same. Some have excellent infrastructure, with well-maintained roads and comfortable lodges. Others are wild and rugged, with bumpy, dusty roads – and a free ‘African massage’ along the way. That may not appeal to everyone, but for some, that off-the-beaten-path sense of adventure is exactly what they’re seeking. Wildlife may be what guides you. Maybe elephants are all you want to see. Maybe it’s big cats. This naturally makes some parks more appealing than others. Be sure to take your time, do your research, and make a plan around what you want most.
No matter what type of experience you’re after, East African National Parks won’t let you down. This region is a dream come true for wildlife enthusiasts — the world’s premier destination for those who want to experience nature at its most raw, diverse, and spectacular. East Africa: where wildlife dreams come true.
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