4 Best Destinations in East Africa

East Africa is perhaps the best region to explore in Africa. Africa is the second largest content in terms of size so you have plenty of land area to cover in this region. In fact, East Africa is so large, this region, itself, is divided into sub-regions. These regions include the Nile Valley, Central East Africa, the Horn of Africa, and the East African islands. Each one of these regions has a couple countries each. Every destination has their own unique offerings that make them worthwhile to visit. You can see the range, from major cities to the rich wildlife. Some of the biggest geographic wonders can be found in East Africa such as the continent’s highest peak, the second largest freshwater lake in the world, and the second deepest lake in the world. The best destinations in East Africa can be found in each one of these sub-regions.

Nile Valley

The most northern part of East Africa is the Nile Valley. The mighty Nile River runs through this region. The Nile River is the longest river in the world and stretches across 11 countries. Three of these countries, Egypt, Sudan, and South Sudan, are part of East Africa. Many of the major cities and cultural attractions in this region have been developed along the Nile.

In Egypt, the capital city of Cairo is definitely one of the best destinations to visit in East Africa. This city alone is home to the country’s most famous landmarks, the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx. These attractions alone draw thousands of visitors daily from around the world. You will also have a chance to explore the Nile River and the Sahara Desert, the largest desert in the world. There are a variety of tours that you can find for venturing into these natural wonders.

Sudan is another country in the Nile Valley. If you’re a fan of wildlife, you’ll want to visit the Dinder Natonal Park. This is the largest national park in Africa. You can see all the animals included in the ‘Big Five’ along with an abundance of other animals. It’s also a place to go for visiting the Red Sea. Sudan has great beaches and many resorts line the shores of the Indian Ocean. South Sudan is newly independent. While it’s developing itself as a tourist destination, it’s most known for having the world’s largest animal migration in Boma National Park.

Horn of Africa

The Horn of Africa is one of the most distinct parts of East Africa. It’s the African peninsula stretching out into the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. Because of it’s location, it has close cultural ties with the Middle East. You can see a blend of influences across the entire home. It’s a very diver region of East Africa. The Horn of Africa consists of the countries Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia.

Djibouti has a great variety of natural landscapes to explore. You’ll be able to find large lakes, volcanoes, and mountains around the country. Visiting these natural sites are among the most popular things to do here. Eritrea is a contrast to Djibouti because many of the top sites here are man-made. It’s a very historical country. You’ll discover ruins from ancient civilizations and impressive architecture from different cultural influences. Italy, for example, had such a major influence on the capital Asmara, that it’s often called ‘Little Rome’. Ethiopia is also known for it’s natural sites. Religion is very prominent in Ethiopia and shaped a lot of the cultural attractions here. Many people enjoy visiting the unique rock-hewn churches, which were sometimes constructed from just a single rock.

Central East Africa

If you want to experience some of the best natural sites in the region, then you’ll want to visit Central East Africa. This region has such a diversity of landscapes that many of the main attractions are set around exploring them. The countries included in the region are Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. Rwanda and Burundi can also be characterized as Central Africa.

Tanzania is home to Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. This is the most popular attraction in Tanzania. Visitors can climb to the top of the mountain and the area surrounding it is dedicated as a national park to preserve the landscape. Lake Victoria is one of the largest lakes in the world and sits on three countries. You can visit this lake from Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. Uganda has many grasslands to see rare African wildlife. Burundi has plenty of nature reserves and national parks for both floral and animal attractions.

There are also a few major cities in the Central East Africa region if you prefer to see some of the fastest growing cities in Africa. Kampala, the capital of Uganda, and Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, are modern metropolises with a great blend of sightseeing, shopping, and entertainment.

East African Islands

In addition to the continental countries of Africa, there are also several countries and destinations located just off of the continent’s coasts. In East Africa, these islands sit comfortably in the Indian Ocean. These islands include small islands such as Comoros, Mauritius, and Seychelles. Réunion Island and Mayotte are in this region as well but they are French Territories. Madagascar is the largest island in East Africa which may also be considered the South African region.

As you can imagine, the East African Islands are some of the best places to go for enjoying the scenery.  Whether a large or small island, you’ll have great beaches, resorts, and even national parks which have preserved the islands in their natural states. Since much of the land area on each of the islands has been preserved, they are great for seeing unique wildlife and floral sites, as well as rivers, waterfalls, and more. Madagascar has a bit more to offer due to its size. In addition to the natural sites of the island, it’s also great to explore the culture. Because of its location, it’s closely related to the Southeast Asia region. It will give you a completely different African experience.