East Africa has a distinctive safari offering. Below are a few of the experiences offered to guests to the region. By Tessa Reed
1. The migration
Mohanjeet Brar, Commercial Director for Gamewatchers Safaris & Porini Camps, Kenya, says the famous migration stands out because of the sheer number of wildebeest. Taqi Moledina, CEO at Alpha Travel, describes the migration as “amazing”, explaining that it is possible because of the delicate balance of nature that allows roughly 1,6 million wildebeest to make their annual migration circuit between Serengeti and Masai Mara. Guests who have the opportunity to experience it are treated “the incredible sight of seeing a trail of wildebeest as far as the eye can see”. Hillary Mwanga of Multi Choice Safaris also says viewing the wildebeest migration is a unique experience.
2. Summit Mount Kilimanjaro
“The sense of satisfaction when our travellers successfully reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro,” says Moledina “is another amazing thing about East Africa.” He adds that this is also Africa’s highest peak. Mwanga considers climbing Kilimanjaro among the key experiences when visiting East Africa.
3. Ngorongoro Crater
Moledina says that while there are so many unique things about East Africa, Ngorongoro Crater stands out. “For me, one of the most amazing places on earth is the Ngorongoro Crater,” he says, emphasising the enormity of the volcanic mountain that collapsed to form one of the world’s largest intact and un-flooded calderas. “The millennia of development that occurred using the rich volcanic soil to form a lush ecosystem that independently supports more than 30 000 mammals year round.”
4. Lake Tanganyika
Moledina says the Mahale Mountains National Park is situated on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Africa’s longest and deepest lake. “Here you can view chimpanzee in their natural habitat – a truly amazing experience.” The lake also borders Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi.
5. Low-density safaris
Conservancies that include Ol Kinyei, Naboisho and Olare Motorogi, border the Mara Reserve and allow clients to experience game viewing along with open space, says Brar. He says on average there is one vehicle to every 570 hectares. Brar suggests a visit to the Katavi National Park in Tanzania, where guests can experience a real 'wild Africa' low-density safari experience, as well as Aberdare National Park in Kenya “which has a high frequency of melanistic servals and leopards”.
What unique experiences would you offer to your clients? Share your ideas in the comments section below.
