Post Lock down Safari Adventures in East Africa
The end of year 2019 hit the world with the Corona virus disease forcing many to cancel their safari adventures. The disease spread very fast around the globe forcing a number of countries to lock-down their economies.
The tourism and travel sector were among the most affected as airports were closed shattering hopes of adventure travelers. After over 5 months of lock-down, there is hope to the tourism industry as economies are opening up once again.
Some East African countries that are worlds’ leading wildlife destinations have responded positively to restarting tourism. So far Kenya, Rwanda & Tanzania have open to international travelers and those interested in safari adventures can visit.
Below are your favorite East African wild places where you can have the best post lock-down break.
Located in the great rift valley region is the famous Masai Mara game reserve an ecosystem with diverse wildlife species. The Reserve is inhabited by over 95 mammal species, 400 bird species a number of reptiles and amphibian species. A combination of all these make safari adventures in the game reserve worthwhile.
Safari Adventures in Masai Mara
Masai Mara game reserve is one of the best places to see predators like lions, hyenas, leopards and cheetahs.
The predators take an advantage of the wildebeest migration a mass movement of over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles. These move annually from the Serengeti plains of northern Tanzania across the border into Kenya searching for pastures.
These natural wonders attracts various tourists and would be one of the best post lock-down safari adventures to opt for. Wildlife in Masai Mara can be enjoyed on game drives where you see animals and birds the reserve has.
Safari adventures you engage in here include game drives, balloon safaris, guided nature walks, cultural encounters, camping, birding among others.
Best time to Visit
The best time to have a wildlife tour in Masai Mara is in the dry season from June to November. In the wet season from December to May, you can still visit the park and have a great time.
Getting There
Kenya opened the airport to international travelers on 1st August 2020 and you can therefore a safari to Masai Mara. Those who are in Kenya already can directly drive to the reserve for safaris after 5 months of lock-down.
Masai Mara can be accessed by road and air transport from Nairobi Kenya’s capital city. Main airstrips in the reserve include Mara Serena airstrip and Kichwa Tembo airstrip which reduces on the travel time. A road trip is also rewarding as you start your wildlife experiences as soon as you enter the game reserve.
Rwanda Safari Adventures
Just like Kenya, Rwanda also opened the airport to international travelers on 1st August 2020. Rwanda gorilla tours are among the most rewarding wildlife safari adventures while in East Africa.
In Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park you can have ultimate post lock-down tours to meet the mountain gorillas. The mountain gorilla population is now 1063 and Volcanoes national park Rwanda is among the best places to see them. The park has over 10 habituated mountain gorilla families that are open to tourist visitation.
Note that only 8 tourists are allowed to track one gorilla family per day. Tourists are allowed in the presence of the gorillas for one hour after a 2 to 6 hours hike.
While on the hike, you get to see other wildlife species like birds and if lucky can spot forest elephants. Volcanoes national park has other primates like golden monkeys and you can have tailor made itineraries featuring them. Wildlife activities you can enjoy in the park include mountain gorilla tracking, birding, guided nature walks in the park.
Other Rwanda Safari Adventures
You can also opt for mountain hiking with a hike to mount Karisimbi and have an overnight in the mountain. For cultural experiences, visit the gorilla guardian village where you will get to know more about the local peoples’ culture.
You can visit Nyungwe national park further south to meet the chimpanzees, have a canopy walk and other primates. For a combined primate and wildlife safari experience in Rwanda you can add Akagera national park to the itinerary.
Now that the airport is open, visit Rwanda for exclusive post lock-down safari adventures.
Tanzania was against all odds of lock-down and totally refused to close its border to international travelers. While other countries lock-down economies, Tanzania was open and welcoming those interested in exploring the wildlife destinations in the country.
Now that other countries are opening up airports, travel has increased and you can visit Tanzania’s Seregenti National park. Tanzania has many safari destinations but Serengeti takes the number one spot of the Must visit places while in Tanzania.
Serengeti Safari Adventures
Serengeti is the genesis of the wildebeest migration exodus of animals up-north across the border to Masai Mara game reserve. This is not your usual exodus but a mass movement of millions of animals. Animals on the migration include gazelles, zebras, and wildebeest as they look for fresh grazing grounds.
While in Serengeti you can have endless game drives following the wildebeest migration and spotting the predators. Major predators in Serengeti include lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, crocodiles. Savanna wildlife giants like Elephants, hippos can also be seen here in large herds plus a number of bird species.
Serengeti can be visited any time of the year but if best experiences can be enjoyed from June to September. This is the best time to witness the wildebeest migration and predator action.
For now these three East African countries are very open for both local and international tourism. They are very highly recommended destinations as the world of tourism regains momentum.
