5 unmissable safari experiences in East Africa

Dawn breaks over the plains. Acacia-dotted grasslands stretch as far as the eye can see. In the pinkish half-light, an elephant herd travels slowly across the land; antelopes graze, birds flit and big cats stalk. East Africa is a region of timeless, spellbinding wonder, with the adjoining conservation expanses of Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park serving up truly exceptional wildlife encounters. A trip to either, or both, is unforgettable — with plenty of meaningful, immersive and authentic experiences available. From soaring above the plains in a hot air balloon to witnessing the Great Migration, here are five ways to make the most of an East African safari.

1. Experience the landscape up close on a guided walking tour

There’s a deep, spine-tingling magic to a walking safari. With just the soles of visitors' shoes standing between them and the bushland, and nothing but fresh air separating travellers from the wild animals that feed and breed here, it sharpens the senses like nothing else. When accompanied by an expert guide, walking safaris in Kenya and Tanzania provide travellers the chance to appreciate both the big and the small — roaming herbivores, tiny insects, myriad plants and the swirling scents of the land.

2. Stargaze under clear, dark skies

Being in the Maasai Mara or Serengeti is an around-the-clock sensory experience. After sundown, not only does the savannah keep stirring — frogs croaking, nightjars churring, predators prowling, hippos splashing — but the sky above becomes a glittering canopy of stars. Kenya’s Wilderness Mara and Tanzania’s Wilderness Usawa Serengeti are situated far from the light pollution of towns and cities, meaning it's often possible to see the head-spinning immensity of the Milky Way shining overhead. These landscapes feel special enough during the day, but at night their sense of in-the-wilds escapism is amplified further.

3. Spot incredible wildlife on a game drive

From spotting giraffes towering over the savannah to watching impalas scatter as a leopard slinks through the dusk, nothing beats the visceral, unpredictable thrills of a morning or evening game drive. In both the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti, travellers can explore the landscape from the comfort of a sturdy, open-sided 4WD with the help of a knowledgeable guide. While staying at Wilderness Mara, there’s a good chance of spotting not only imposing mammals such as lions, elephants and rhinos, but also tiny birds like bee-eaters, which zip between bushes on bright, rainbow-coloured wings.

4. Soar above the Serengeti in a hot air balloon

One of the best ways to experience the scale and beauty of the Serengeti’s plains is to see the landscapes from above on a hot air balloon ride. Most journeys begin very early in the morning, as the sun starts to rise over the plains. With Kilimanjaro framing the horizon, wildlife on the move below and a champagne breakfast waiting back on ground level, it’s an incredible way to savour the majesty of East Africa in a new light.

5. Witness the Great Migration

Few natural spectacles can rival the Great Migration. Every year, in a cloud of hoofbeats, herds of wildebeest, gazelles and zebras — numbering some 1.5 million animals — embark on a long, perilous journey to reach lush grazing pastures, providing tantalising hunting opportunities for the region’s crocodiles, lions and cheetahs. Staying at Wilderness Usawa Serengeti offers a great way to watch the drama unfold. The camp is set up in different locations seasonally, granting travellers access to one of East Africa's most iconic natural events — without the crowds.