Safari has always been the heart of African adventure — but today, it’s more diverse and dynamic than ever before. From walking through the bush at sunrise to floating silently above the plains in a hot air balloon, East Africa’s unique safari holidays invite travellers to experience the wild in new and unforgettable ways.
For many travellers, the word safari conjures images of open 4×4s crossing the savannah, lions lounging beneath acacia trees, and elephants silhouetted on the horizon. That classic game drive is iconic — and rightly so — but in East Africa, safari means so much more.
At ARP Africa, we work with travel providers to craft journeys that reveal the full spectrum of what the East African wild can offer. From night safaris to balloon rides at sunrise, travellers can choose adventures as diverse as the national parks and landscapes themselves.
Here’s how safaris are evolving — and where in East Africa you can find the best of each experience.
When the sun sets, the savannah doesn’t sleep — it transforms. Night safaris reveal an entirely new cast of characters: elusive leopards, bush babies leaping between branches, aardvarks foraging, and lions beginning their evening hunts.
With specialised equipment and expert guides by your side, guests can safely explore a world that few ever see. Night safaris can be even more exhilarating than daytime drives, as the shyer animals emerge and your senses heighten in the dark.
We highly recommend experiencing both a day safari and a night one — two unforgettable perspectives that will live long in the memory.
Where to go: The private conservancies bordering the Masai Mara, along with selected properties in Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks, are prime spots for after-dark adventures. There are many options open to you — we’d love to help you uncover them. For inspiration, read our Guide to East Africa’s National Parks and Game Reserves.
Driving safaris are incredible, there’s no doubt about that — but there’s something truly special about wandering through the wilderness on your own two feet.
For travellers who want to slow things down and connect deeply with the land and wildlife around them, walking safaris strip away the vehicle and bring you face-to-face with the environment. Every track, bird call, or plant becomes part of the story.
The thrill lies not only in seeking out the Big Five, but in experiencing the wilderness at eye level, guided by experts who know how to read the land. On a walking safari, you aren’t just passing through nature — you’re part of it, step by step.
Where to go: Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and southern Tanzania are famous for walking safaris, but Kenya’s Laikipia Plateau and the Mara conservancies also offer superb guided walks.
Few experiences match the serenity of drifting above the plains at dawn, the golden sun spilling across the horizon as herds of wildebeest and elephants move silently below. A balloon safari adds a sense of grandeur and perspective that can only be truly appreciated once you’ve experienced it yourself.
To top it all off, most balloon safaris end with a decadent champagne breakfast in the bush — a memory to last a lifetime. Any journey through East Africa is special, but this is the very definition of a bucket-list moment.
Where to go: One of our favourites is the hot air balloon safari over Ruaha National Park, where you can take in breathtaking panoramic views of one of Tanzania’s most unspoiled wilderness areas.
If you want to see more than one region, cover vast distances, and witness East Africa’s dramatic contrasts in a single journey, an air safari is an ideal choice. Small aircraft connect iconic destinations — from Amboseli’s elephant herds beneath Mount Kilimanjaro to the endless Serengeti plains and Kenya’s northern parks such as Samburu — while offering a bird’s-eye view of the stunning landscapes in between.
Where to go: Multi-stop itineraries across Kenya and Tanzania, or even extending into Uganda and Rwanda, make for outstanding air safari adventures.
We’ve covered ground and air — but what about water? The rivers and lakes of East Africa offer yet another unique safari experience. A boat safari provides close-up encounters with hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds, while also giving you a tranquil perspective of wildlife drawn to the shoreline.
The pace is slower, and the view is refreshingly different. Looking up to see elephants drinking at eye level from your canoe or boat is a moment you’ll never forget.
Where to go: The Rufiji River in Nyerere National Park, Lake Naivasha in Kenya, and Uganda’s Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park are all outstanding destinations for water safaris.
Combining different safari styles turns an East African journey into a multi-layered adventure. Balance the thrill of a night drive with the calm of a balloon safari, or the intimacy of walking through the bush. For travel providers, these experiences help create standout itineraries that go beyond the expected — and leave a truly lasting impact.
According to the African Wildlife Foundation, East Africa’s ecosystems are among the most biodiverse on the planet — a perfect canvas for innovative safari experiences that celebrate both conservation and adventure.
At ARP Africa, we specialise in helping travel providers craft these extraordinary journeys by combining the right destinations, expert guides, and seamless logistics to bring the richness of East Africa to life.
Ready to diversify your safari offering? Get in touch with our team today to start creating unique African safari holidays for your clients.