From wilderness to cultural heritage. East Africa is full of life and adventure waiting for you to discover. Today we're counting down our picks for the top 5 East African countries to visit in 2020.
This list we're taking a look with a primary focus set on wild nature, life style as well as tradition.
Number 5: Burundi
Known as the EDEN in the heart of Africa. Burundians are known to be highly hospitable. A visitor, or “Umushitsi”, in Kirundi, is respected and protected. You can visit the Livingston and Stanley Stone or visit the southern source of the Nile River, a pyramid has been built there and attracts many visitors. You can admire Lake Tanganyika’s beauty on extraordinary beaches such as Blue bay Resort, Club du Lac, Bora Bora, Genny’s Beach which are the most visited places. You can also see hippopotamuses come out of the water and rest on the beaches with people. You will also see thermal water sites said to be therapeutic. Burundian food and drinks are uniquely lip-smacking! You can eat Sangala, Mukeke and Ndagala that are not available in any other place in the world except Burundi, don’t leave without a chance of experiencing Burundian drumming performances which are a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.
Number 4: Uganda
Due in part to its troubled history mass tourism is not a feature of this lush country so it's a great place to see Africa without the crowds. Travelers will be amazed by the diversity of landscapes from rainforests to rivers to mountains, visit the wonderfully titled windy and penetrable National Park to observe endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat or walk through the Kibale Forest National Park where there's the highest concentration of primates in East Africa including chimpanzees. After a trek through the jungle hike up the high rwenzori mountains towards their snow-capped peaks or do some whitewater rafting in the River Nile. Whatever adventure you choose Uganda awaits.
Number 3: Tanzania
Perhaps the most famous feature of Tanzania is the Serengeti, one of the seven natural wonders of Africa but another natural wonder to see is the ngorongoro crater the largest intact and inactive caldera in the world the country boasts pristine wilderness and the largest predator population in Africa too more wildlife take a guided Trek in Gombe stream National Park to view the kasakela community of chimpanzees where Jane Goodall spent decades studying their behavior; for climbing enthusiasts hike up the famous Mount Kilimanjaro whose peak is 5,895 meters above sea level. After that long hike relax on the exotic main island of Zanzibar with miles of white sandy beaches and tropical forests
Number 2: Kenya
Kenya was named the safari capital of the world, Kenya boast several national parks and conservancies; to view some of Africa's most famous wildlife here you can watch the migration of over 2 million wildebeest gallop on horseback alongside herds of elephants or have breakfast with a giraffe in Nairobi's giraffe Manor. For some great shopping head over to one of the lively and colorful Maasai markets where you can bargain over handmade leather sandals, jewelry, and artwork. A trip to Kenya also wouldn't be complete without visiting one of their beautiful beaches like Diani Beach where the warm Indian Ocean is lined with silver sands.
Number 1: Rwanda
Known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda’s stunning scenery and warm friendly people offer unique experiences in one of the most remarkable countries in the world. It is blessed with extraordinary biodiversity, with incredible wildlife living throughout its volcanoes, montane rainforest and sweeping plains. Travelers come from far and wide to catch a glimpse of the magnificent gorillas, yet there is so much more to see and experience. Rwanda was well described by many as “Simply Rwandaful”; the attention-grabbing attractions here are huge, exquisite mountain gorillas, a group of which inhabit Volcanoes National Park (which contains five of the eight Virunga Volcanoes, the very embodiment of remarkably steamy, mythic-looking, densely jungle-clad volcanoes). Outdoor activities include boating on Lake Kivu, taking guided hikes through Nyungwe Forest National Park. Back in the city, travelers will explore the capital of Kigali, considered one of the world’s cleanest and safest urban areas, where they’ll visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial.