Bucket List Safari Experiences in East Africa - Nyumbu Beyond Journeys
While safari is–on its own–a bucket list experience, there’s no doubt that some experiences become an unforgettable highlight of your trip. Whether it’s coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla in the thick mountain forests, watching herds of wildebeest make their way across the Mara River, or learning about the traditions of remote tribes in the region, these bucket list experiences easily make the top of our list.
Our team is on hand to help you plan your adventure, bucket list experiences and all. Whether this is your first time to Africa or your twentieth, contact us to start planning your safari and get reliable, trusted answers to your questions along the way.
Come face-to-face with the mountain gorillas while gorilla trekking in Uganda…a true bucket list safari experience.
1.Meet the Mountain Gorillas
Journey into the forests of Uganda and Rwanda on foot to meet the most famed of all primates—the mountain gorilla.
Living deep in the lush highland forests, these gorillas have been carefully habituated and are protected as part of ongoing conservation work in the region. Watch as the gorillas feed on plants in the forest–peeling bark and stems or munching on leaves. Spot young gorillas playing in the low branches or babies clinging to their mothers’ backs as they amble through the brush, with a Silverback nearby, keeping watch.
While treks can vary in length—anywhere between three to eight hours in total—once you find the gorillas, you’ll get to spend a truly unforgettable hour in the forest with them.
Witness the wildebeest herds on this bucket list safari experience
2.Follow the Wildebeest Migration
Each year, nearly two million wildebeest and zebra travel in a massive loop through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.
Depending on your season of travel, a Great Migration safari might take you to Masai Mara or Northern Serengeti as the herds thunder across the Mara River, to the Central Serengeti as they congregate and slowly move north, or to the Ndutu Plains of Tanzania, where thousands of baby wildebeest are born every day.
3.Explore Wildlife on Game Drives
Game drives are a must-have on any classic safari. Explore the wilderness and spot wildlife with your guide in our 4×4 customized safari vehicles.
Depending on your itinerary, game drives might be conducted in the morning and evening, or as a full-day experience with a picnic lunch to enjoy along the way. Get ready for unbeatable views and incredible, up-close wildlife sightings.
4.Track Chimpanzees in the Forest
A trek into the forest allows you to spend an hour with these animated primates that have been carefully habituated to human presence. Our favourite chimp trekking spots include Kibale Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda, or head to Mahale Mountains in Western Tanzania for a chance to meet the chimpanzees. As you trek, listen to the chorus of birdsong and the occasional baboon call in the distance, then watch as the lively chimpanzees go about their daily lives in the forest–definitely a bucket list experience.
5.Support a Conservation Project
What if your safari included a stop to a community-run elephant sanctuary, where you could watch as the keepers gave the orphaned elephants their bottles nearby, and the little ones played in the mud?
At the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in Northern Kenya, orphaned and abandoned elephant calves are rescued by Samburu community members who have been formally trained in the care, rehabilitation, and release of elephant calves. Visitors can stop by the sanctuary to take a behind-the-scenes tour and watch feeding and playtime for the resident elephants.
This is one of many wildlife conservation projects worth visiting on safari in East Africa–to find a project that works best for you, just contact us.
6.Visit with the Locals
A cultural experience in East Africa often conjures images of a Maasai boma, where the villagers share their traditional songs and dances in a flurry of red Shuka cloth and mesmerizing chants. And while a visit with the Maasai is an incredible way to learn about one of the many cultures in East Africa, it’s not the only one.
Visit with the Hadzabe tribe of Northern Tanzania or the Batwa Tribe of Western Uganda to learn their ancient hunter-gatherer ways. Practice the art of basket weaving, beading jewellery, dancing, or cooking local dishes with an expert mentor on hand to guide you. Make a stop at our partner school in Uganda for a firsthand look at daily life for students there. No matter where your safari takes you, ask us about ways that you can experience the local culture–and support the local communities.
7.Relax on the Spice Island
At the end of your safari, there’s nothing like a little rest & relaxation along the Indian Ocean on Zanzibar. Stop in Stone Town to tour the city’s maze-like alleyways, browse the markets, and sample fresh finds at a local spice farm. From there, head to the beaches, where there’s a wide array of beach hotels and resorts to suit every taste for the ultimate relaxing bucket list safari experience. Fill your days with lounging by the water or enjoy the many water sports available on the coast.
8.Explore by Water
Whether you’re cruising down the Nile to the bottom of Murchison Falls, canoeing on Lake Duluti, paddle boarding in Uganda’s crater lakes, or sailing on a dhow off the coast of Zanzibar, a boat excursion is a chance to step out of the vehicle and explore the wilderness from a new perspective. Or, continue the adventure with a snorkeling or diving trip off the coast to explore the underwater world.
9.Discover the East African Icons
Masai Mara. Serengeti. Ngorongoro Crater. Mt. Kilimanjaro. These are just some of the names that command attention when it comes to safaris. If exploring these parks and reserves is on your safari wish list, know that their reputation is well-earned. Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater–a UNESCO World Heritage Site–on a game drive, explore Amboseli National Park with views of Mt. Kilimanjaro in the background, or adventure across the plains that have inspired safari goers for generations.
10.Dine under the African Sky
Sitting down to a bush dinner by lantern-light, enjoying a cocktail by the campfire as the sun sets, or ending a morning game drive with a breakfast feast on the expansive plains…these are one-of-a-kind experiences that bring you closer to the African wilderness in a new way. Ask our travel experts about adding an experience like this to your safari for trip like no other.
11.Set out on a Hot Air Balloon Safari
A balloon flight is widely considered a bucket list activity that offers a serene and spectacular experience floating over the vast, lush, and game-filled plains.
Lifting off at dawn, you’ll watch the sun rise as you head in a generally western direction. Flights usually last close to an hour and depending on the take off spot, you float over riverine woodlands, watching hippos return to their daytime refuges and crocodiles basking on sandbanks. Sometimes predators and large antelope herds can be spotted below, pointed out by your experienced captain.
After the flight you will be met by the trailing transfer vehicles and taken to a pre-prepared picnic breakfast, beautifully set up in an idyllic spot on the plains.
Explore our safari destinations to find more inspiration for your next journey…or contact us to start planning your safari.
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