East Africa is home to some of the world’s most iconic and diverse wildlife experiences. From the thunder of migrating wildebeest across the Serengeti to intimate encounters with mountain gorillas in lush rainforest, the region offers year-round adventure for nature lovers and safari-goers alike.
Live Updates as of Early August 2025
The Great Migration is currently unfolding in the **northern Serengeti and southern Masai Mara**, with bold river crossings at multiple points between Tanzania and Kenya—offering unrivalled wildlife drama and close-up views.
This moment—the height of river-crossing season—is a showcase of nature’s bold rhythms and a photographer’s paradise.
Right now, early August 2025 offers a front-row seat to the Great Migration’s most iconic phase: dramatic river crossings, predator action, and sweeping wildebeest herds. Whether it’s the **Mara Triangle**, **Sand River**, or the **Northern Serengeti**, guests are experiencing nature at its most powerful and moving.
ARP Africa Travel is standing by to tailor prime crossing safaris and secure the best locations and camps for maximum viewing impact.
Kenya’s most famous reserve comes alive between July and October with the Great Migration. Wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle cross the Mara River in dramatic scenes, often pursued by predators like lions, crocodiles, and hyenas. The surrounding conservancies offer more exclusive game drives, walking safaris, and rich wildlife encounters with fewer vehicles.
Located in Kenya’s rugged north, Samburu is home to the “Samburu Special Five”: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, beisa oryx, and gerenuk. Elephants are plentiful, and lions, leopards, and cheetahs are frequently spotted along the Ewaso Nyiro River, particularly during dry months.
Famous for its vibrant flamingo population and rhino sanctuary, Lake Nakuru offers compact but rewarding game drives. Visitors can see white and black rhinos, Rothschild giraffes, buffalo, lions, and abundant birdlife, making it a favourite for photographers and birding enthusiasts.
Set against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli is renowned for its large elephant herds and striking landscapes. Wildlife is easy to spot across the open plains, including lions, buffalo, hyenas, giraffes, and rich birdlife. The park is particularly rewarding during the dry season, from June to October.
Together forming Kenya’s largest protected area, Tsavo offers contrasting terrains and incredible biodiversity. Tsavo East is known for red-dust elephants and large prides of lions, while Tsavo West features volcanic hills, natural springs, and varied wildlife, including kudu, hippo, crocodile, and rhino.
World-famous for the Great Migration, the Serengeti delivers unforgettable wildlife moments all year. From calving season in the south (January–March) to river crossings in the north (July–October), visitors can witness the cycles of life and predator action across vast open plains. Resident wildlife—including big cats, elephants, giraffes, and hyenas—ensures outstanding viewing at any time.
The Ngorongoro Crater is a wildlife-rich caldera, home to Africa’s Big Five and an astonishing concentration of game. Black rhino, lions, elephants, buffalo, and leopards thrive here, along with herds of zebra, wildebeest, and flocks of flamingos around the crater lake.
This compact park offers a rich mix of habitats and wildlife. Famous for its tree-climbing lions and large baboon troops, Lake Manyara also draws hippos, elephants, and countless bird species to its alkaline lake. The Rift Valley escarpment provides a breathtaking backdrop.
Often overlooked, Tarangire is a hidden gem known for its towering baobab trees and massive dry-season elephant herds. Wildlife concentrates around the Tarangire River during the dry months, including wildebeest, zebra, lion, leopard, and over 500 bird species.
Formerly the Selous Game Reserve, Nyerere is a vast, unspoiled wilderness ideal for off-the-beaten-path safaris. Guests can spot African wild dogs, elephants, lions, and crocodiles along the Rufiji River. Boat safaris, walking safaris, and intimate game drives make this park a standout for seasoned safari-goers.
Trekking through bamboo forests in search of mountain gorillas is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Several habituated families offer memorable, up-close encounters. Dry seasons (June–September and December–February) provide the best conditions, with treks tailored to different fitness levels.
This lush montane forest is home to chimpanzees and a variety of other primates, including colobus and L’Hoest’s monkeys. With over 300 bird species and a suspended canopy walk, Nyungwe is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
Rwanda’s only savannah park, Akagera is now home to the Big Five, thanks to successful conservation efforts. Expect to see lions, rhinos, giraffes, elephants, hippos, and buffalo, along with rich birdlife around lakes and wetlands. Game drives and boat safaris are both excellent options.
Bwindi offers some of the most thrilling gorilla tracking in Africa. With half the world’s population of mountain gorillas, visitors have a high chance of unforgettable close encounters. Trekking routes vary in difficulty, and sightings are nearly guaranteed, especially in the dry months from June to September.
This diverse park features everything from savannah to rainforest to crater lakes. Visitors can enjoy sightings of elephants, lions—including the famed tree-climbing lions of Ishasha—hippos, crocodiles, and over 600 bird species. Boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel are a highlight.
Uganda’s largest park is bisected by the mighty Nile River, which cascades through a narrow gorge at Murchison Falls. Wildlife includes giraffes, elephants, lions, leopards, and antelope species. River safaris reveal hippos, crocodiles, and an abundance of birdlife, including the rare shoebill stork.
From the sweeping plains of the Serengeti to the misty mountains of Bwindi, East Africa offers unmatched wildlife experiences. Whether your clients are first-time travellers or seasoned safari-goers, our handpicked destinations provide year-round opportunities for unforgettable encounters.
Let ARP Africa Travel help you design the ultimate East African wildlife journey.