East Africa is home to endless plains of beautiful national parks and reserves, diverse wildlife and scenic landscapes! It’s one of the best safari destinations in the world.
Here are the top 20 most beautiful national parks of East Africa:
1. Serengeti National Park
Serengeti is known for the Great Migration of Serengeti, whereby millions of wildebeests and zebras migrate every year. Watching the herds migrate is a beautiful sight. The best way to take in the beauty of the National Park is to take a hot air balloon ride over the endless beautiful plains.
Wildebeest At Serengeti National Park, Image Source: ArtofSafari.Travel
2. Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara is the best place in Kenya to observe the Big 5! With grasslands and beautiful plains, the Masai Mara is home to other wildlife species too including hyenas, hippos, elands, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, cheetahs, jackals, and impalas.
3. Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park provides beautiful views of Mount Kilimanjaro on clear days! Observing wildlife here with such a beautiful backdrop is a photographer’s dream!
Elephant At Amboseli National Park Overseeing Mount Kilimanajaro, Image Source: HelenInWonderLust.Co.Uk
4. Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Home to the ‘Roof of Africa’ (Mount Kilimanjaro), the park offers beautiful views of the snow-capped mountain. Explore the picturesque slopes of the mountain or challenge yourself to reach the peak!
5. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
With swamps and bamboos dominating the landscape, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to a little less than half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas. Hike through the park and track the gorillas! You can also spot over 200 species of butterflies and 300 species of birds here.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Image Source: UgandaTourismCenter.Com
6. Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda
Nyungwe Forest is essentially a rainforest with idyllic views, stunning waterfalls, and over 10 species of primates! It also has a stunning canopy walk for you to embark on while enjoying the beautiful views around you.
7. Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Mountain biking, hiking, canoeing and other adventurous activities await you at Volcanoes NP! Explore the ancient Musanze Caves, track mountain gorillas and immerse yourself in the beauty of the park!
Volcanoes National Park, Image Source: VisitRwanda.Com
8. Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda
Gaze in awe at the majestic Murchison Falls, observe hippos and crocodiles in Victoria Nile, and spot rare birds like the shoebill stork! Other wildlife species you can spot here include lions, hippos, buffaloes, leopards, and antelopes.
9. Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Uganda
Rwenzori contains botanic bliss with huge trees, mosses and other flora. The National Park contains glaciers, waterfalls, lakes and over 200 species of birds!
Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Uganda, Image Source: VisitUganda.Com
10. Tsavo West National Park
Known for the red elephants that you can spot here, Tsavo West National Park is home to scenic landscapes. Check out the Chaimu crater, observe hippos and crocodiles from an underground viewing point, and observe the Shetani Flow.
11. Lake Nakuru National Park
Spot rhinos, observe millions of flamingoes by the lake, and enjoy birdwatching with over 450 bird species at Lake Nakuru National Park. You can also spot the Big 5 here!
Flamingos At Lake Nakuru National Park, Image Source: ZoteTours.Co.Tz
12. Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park is home to beautiful and rare wildlife species like sable antelopes, greater kudus, lesser kudus, African wild dogs and striped hyenas. It’s a beautiful national park with lots to explore!
13. Mahale Mountains National Park
The Mahale Mountains make for a beautiful backdrop and the greenery just enhances the beauty of the National Park. Observe chimpanzees and enjoy birdwatching at this beautiful park.
Mahale Mountains National Park, Image Source: WildLifeSafaristz.Com
14. Gombe Stream National Park
Gombe Stream National Park has a beautiful landscape brushed with rivers, streams and valleys. The vegetation is diverse, consisting of patches of rainforest, grasslands, and bamboos.
15. Udzungwa Mountains National Park
Check out the Sanje Waterfalls, observe over 400 species of birds and enjoy hiking through the Park’s beautiful trails. The mountains themselves offer scenic views too!
Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Image Source: TanzaniaTourism.Go.Tz
16. Kitulo National Park
With over 350 species of flowers, Kitulo National Park has beautiful plateaus dotted with splendid flowers. The park has many hiking trails that let you explore the beauty of the park! You can also enjoy birdwatching here.
17. Katavi National Park
Katavi National Park is a pristine park with lots of hippos, elephants and lions. The park is never crowded and has stunning sceneries! Don’t forget to check out the hippo pods and Ndido Falls.
Katavi National Park, Image Source: SensenatureAdventures.Com
18. Lake Manyara National Park
The best way to take in the beauty of the National Park is to embark on the treetop walkway and explore the canopy. Don’t forget to check out the tree-climbing lions and the other wildlife that this park has to offer!
19. Mount Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya NP has pristine hiking trails, rare plant species, lakes, glaciers, and beautiful tarns. You can also attempt to climb Mount Kenya!
Mount Kenya National Park, Image Source: LonelyPlanet.Com
20. Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is known for its abundance of elephants! You can spot herds of about 300 elephants at once!
You can also spot tree-climbing lions, leopards and cheetahs!
So, what are you waiting for? Head over to East Africa and have the best time of your life! The best time go is September (here’s why!) so plan your vacation ahead!
