East Africa Destinations | Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda & Zanzibar
This guide compares Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Zanzibar by what they do best, who they suit, what the main fees are in 2026 and 2027, when to go, how the money works with worked examples, how to combine countries with the East Africa Tourist Visa, what kinds of accommodation and activities to expect, and what the current health and entry notes are this year. Published figures differ, and the guide says where. Our separate guides to each country, to the national parks and to the migration go into more detail, and our guide to designing a multi-country safari explains routing.
East Africa Destinations at a Glance
| Destination | Best Known For | Headline Fee in 2026 | Best Months |
| Kenya | The Masai Mara and the migration, Amboseli’s elephants, private rhino conservancies and the coast | Masai Mara US$100 per adult per day to June and US$200 from July | July to October for the migration; January to March and June to October for the dry seasons |
| Tanzania | The Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, remote southern parks, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar | Serengeti about US$82.60 per adult per 24 hours including VAT | June to October for the north; January to March for calving in the south |
| Uganda | Mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, the Nile, tree-climbing lions and the widest range of primates | Gorilla permit US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November 2026 | June to September and December to February |
| Rwanda | Mountain gorillas in a compact, tightly managed country, Nyungwe and the Big Five at Akagera | Gorilla permit US$1,500 | June to September and December to February |
| Zanzibar and the coast | Beaches, Stone Town and a rest after a safari | Priced by the lodge | The dry months, with the monsoon rains avoided |
If you remember one thing from this table, remember that the migration belongs to Kenya and Tanzania, the great apes belong to Uganda and Rwanda and the beach belongs to Zanzibar and the Kenyan coast.
Should You Choose One Country or Several?
The honest answer is that one country is enough for most first trips of a week or ten days, and two is the sensible maximum for two weeks. Distances in East Africa are large, roads can be slow and every border or domestic flight costs time, money and a morning. A week in one country, with two or three bases and a rest day, will show you more and cost you less than a week spread across three.
The exception is when two experiences are so complementary that the extra border is worth it. Kenya and Tanzania share the Masai Mara and Serengeti, which are two halves of one ecosystem, and Uganda and Rwanda share the Virunga gorilla habitat, so each pairing makes sense. Combining a savannah country with a gorilla country, for example Tanzania and Rwanda, gives the widest range of wildlife in two weeks. Our separate guide to designing a multi-country safari explains how to sequence them.
Kenya: The Migration, Elephants and Conservancies
| Place | What It Does Best | Reported Fee |
| Masai Mara | Big cats, plains game and the migration river crossings from about July to October, with the most frequent crossings from mid-August to late September | US$100 per adult per day to June 2026 and US$200 from July 2026; children aged 9 to 17 pay US$50 |
| Amboseli | Elephants under Kilimanjaro | About US$90 per adult per 24 hours |
| Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba | Northern dry-country species such as Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe | About US$70 to US$85 per day |
| Lewa and Laikipia conservancies | Private rhino sanctuaries, walking safaris and horse riding | Lewa about US$165 per day |
| Tsavo East, Tsavo West and Nairobi National Park | Big parks and a wildlife park beside the capital | About US$80 |
| The coast | Beach finishes after a safari | Priced by the lodge |
Kenya is the best choice for a first safari and for travellers who want the migration, because the Mara has a long season, many camps and reliable access. Its trade-off is price and crowds in the peak months, and a double premium in July to October, when both camp rates and the entry fee are at their highest. A hot air balloon flight over the Mara costs about US$420 to US$580 per adult in one guide. Our separate guides to Kenya safaris and to the best time to see the migration in the Masai Mara explain the details.
Tanzania: The Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Space
| Place | What It Does Best | Reported Fee |
| Serengeti | The migration all year, with calving in the south from January to March and Mara River crossings in the north from July to October | About US$82.60 per adult per 24 hours including VAT, plus about US$70.80 per night in concession fees for those staying inside |
| Ngorongoro Crater | A full day among dense wildlife in a vast caldera | About US$70.80 per adult plus a crater service fee of US$295 per vehicle |
| Tarangire and Lake Manyara | Elephants, baobabs and a short circuit | About US$59, plus a concession fee of about US$47.20 |
| Ruaha and Katavi | Quiet southern and western wilderness | About US$35.40 in the standard parks |
| Gombe and Mahale | Chimpanzees on the shore of Lake Tanganyika | About US$118 at Gombe and US$94.40 at Mahale in 2026 fee tables |
| Kilimanjaro | Africa’s highest mountain | Park fees about US$968 for a seven-day Machame climb, with all-in prices of about US$2,900 to US$4,500 or more |
| Zanzibar | A beach and Stone Town finish | Ferries from about US$35 and flights from about US$40 to US$125 from Dar es Salaam |
Tanzania suits travellers who want space, a long migration season and options beyond the classic circuit, including a mountain and a beach. Its fees are lower than the Mara’s at peak, though it is a larger country with longer distances, and Arusha to the Serengeti takes eight to ten hours by road or a flight of under two hours at roughly US$250 to US$320. Our separate guides to Tanzania safaris and to the Great Migration explain the timing.
Uganda: Gorillas, Chimpanzees and Variety
Uganda offers the widest range of experiences for a visitor with an interest in primates and landscapes. Its ten national parks include Bwindi and Mgahinga for mountain gorillas, Kibale for chimpanzees, Queen Elizabeth for tree-climbing lions and the Kazinga Channel, Murchison Falls for the Nile and big game, Kidepo for remote savannah and the Rwenzori and Mount Elgon for mountains. The gorilla permit is US$800 at peak and US$600 in April, May and November 2026, about half the price of Rwanda’s, and chimpanzee tracking at Kibale is US$250, with US$300 reported from 2027.
The trade-off is distance. Uganda’s parks are spread out and the roads between them are long, so a good trip uses two or three parks in one region and does not try to cover the country. It is the best choice for a gorilla and chimpanzee trip on a moderate budget, and for travellers who like a mix of forest, water and savannah. Our separate guides to Uganda’s national parks and to Uganda safari prices for 2027 explain the options.
Rwanda: Gorillas, Forests and Akagera in a Compact Country
Rwanda is small, organised and safe in its main tourist areas, and it packs four national parks into a country you can cross in a day. Volcanoes National Park offers gorilla trekking at US$1,500 per permit, the highest in Africa, along with golden monkeys, the Dian Fossey hike and volcano climbs. Nyungwe offers chimpanzees, colobus troops and a canopy walkway, and Akagera has the full Big Five after the return of lions in 2015 and rhinos from 2017. Distances are short, with Volcanoes about two to three hours from Kigali and Akagera about two and a half.
Rwanda is the best choice for a short trip centred on gorillas, for travellers who value comfort and ease and for those who want a quieter, more polished experience. Its trade-off is the permit price, though a reported US$1,050 multi-park rate may apply from November to May. Our separate guides to Rwanda’s national parks and to the Rwanda gorilla permit cost explain the details.
Which Destination for Which Traveller
| If You Are | Choose | Why |
| A first-time visitor who wants the classic safari | Kenya or Tanzania | The migration, big cats and the widest choice of camps |
| After mountain gorillas on a moderate budget | Uganda | A permit of US$800, with chimpanzees and variety |
| After mountain gorillas with maximum ease | Rwanda | Compact, polished and tightly managed |
| Wanting the migration | Kenya in July to October, or the Serengeti all year | River crossings in the north and calving in the south |
| A birder | Uganda, with Rwanda’s Nyungwe as an add-on | More than a thousand species and Albertine Rift endemics |
| A honeymoon couple | Rwanda or Tanzania with Zanzibar | Flagship lodges and a beach finish |
| Travelling with children | Kenya, Tanzania or Rwanda’s Akagera and Lake Kivu | Shorter treks and easier logistics; gorilla trekking needs a minimum age of 15 |
| A photographer | The Mara or Serengeti for big herds, Uganda or Rwanda for primates | Light, subjects and access |
| On a tight budget | Uganda, or Tanzania in the green season | Lower permits or off-season discounts |
| Adding a mountain or a beach | Tanzania for Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar | Both are in one country |
If you are still undecided, ask one question: do you most want to see a herd or a face? The herds belong to the savannah countries, and the faces belong to the gorilla countries.
When to Go: The Calendar Across the Region
| Months | Kenya and Tanzania | Uganda and Rwanda |
| January to February | Calving in the southern Serengeti; good dry weather in Kenya | A dry season, with good trekking |
| March to May | The long rains, with green landscapes, lower prices and some closed camps | The long rains, with muddy trails; discounted gorilla and chimpanzee permits in April and May 2026 in Uganda |
| June to September | The dry season, with the migration in the north from July | The main dry season, with firm trails and peak demand |
| October | Late migration in the Mara and Serengeti, with shorter rains starting | The short rains begin |
| November | The short rains, with fewer visitors | Showers; discounted permits in Uganda in November 2026 |
| December | A dry spell and the holiday peak | A second dry season and a busy period |
The migration is a moving target, and river crossings are never guaranteed, so ask for current reports before fixing dates. Gorillas and chimpanzees can be tracked all year. Our separate guides to the best time to visit East Africa and to each country explain the months in detail.
What It Costs: Fees and Worked Examples
| Example | Calculation | Per Adult |
| Four days in the Masai Mara in the high season | 4 x US$200 | US$800 |
| Four days in the Masai Mara before July | 4 x US$100 | US$400 |
| Four days in the Serengeti, three nights inside the park | 4 x US$82.60 + 3 x US$70.80 | US$542.80 |
| One gorilla permit in Uganda at the peak rate | 1 x US$800 | US$800 |
| One gorilla permit in Rwanda | 1 x US$1,500 | US$1,500 |
| A couple’s gorilla permits in Rwanda compared with Uganda | 2 x US$1,500 against 2 x US$800 | US$3,000 against US$1,600, a difference of US$1,400 |
Fees are only part of the budget. One Tanzania guide gives daily costs of about US$250 to US$400 per person for budget safaris, US$400 to US$800 for mid-range and US$850 to US$1,500 or more for luxury, and one Kenya guide gives trip totals of about US$5,000, US$8,000 and US$10,000 or more per person for mid-range, classic and luxury safaris. For a private seven-day trip in Rwanda, two guides give about US$3,500, US$4,550 and US$6,500 per person for budget, mid-range and luxury. Compare quotes on the same basis, with the same number of nights, meal plan and fees. Our separate guides to safari prices in each country explain the build-up.
Combining Countries: Visas, Routes and the Order to Book
| Topic | What to Know |
| East Africa Tourist Visa | About US$100, valid for 90 days with multiple entries between Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda; apply through your first country of entry, and it is for tourism only |
| Tanzania | Needs its own separate visa and is not part of the shared visa scheme |
| Kenya | Most visitors need an electronic travel authorisation, about US$30 and valid for 90 days from issue |
| Uganda and Rwanda | Single-entry visas of about US$50 each, with the East Africa Tourist Visa as the better value for a combined trip |
| Kenya to Tanzania | By air or by road at the Isebania and Sirari crossing, which links the Mara and Serengeti regions |
| Rwanda to Uganda | By road via the Kigali to Kisoro route, linking Volcanoes to Mgahinga and Bwindi |
| Order to book | Gorilla permits and migration-season camps first, six to eighteen months ahead, then flights |
The standard logical routing runs Rwanda to Uganda to Kenya to Tanzania, though it can be reversed to suit a fixed date. Do not book international flights before your permits and key camps are confirmed, since permits are dated and non-transferable. Our separate guide to designing a seamless multi-country safari explains the sequence.
Accommodation and Activities Across the Region
| Style | What It Means | Typical Cost Pattern |
| Budget camping and lodges | Basic tents or rooms, often with a shared vehicle | The lowest daily costs, with higher fees as a share |
| Mid-range lodges and tented camps | Comfortable rooms with a private bathroom and full board | The most common choice |
| Luxury lodges and classic camps | Private vehicles, guides, spa and often activities | The highest daily rates, especially in peak months |
| Mobile and migration camps | Seasonal camps that follow the herds | Often booked a year ahead |
| Conservancy stays | Private land with walking safaris and night drives | Higher prices, quieter experiences |
The headline activities are the migration crossings, gorilla and chimpanzee treks, game drives, boat cruises, balloon flights, walking safaris and mountain climbs, and each country has its own specialities. A good operator will match the activity to the month and to your fitness. Our separate guides to primate tracking, boat cruises and balloon safaris explain the options.
Itineraries
| Trip | Plan | Best For |
| 7 days, Kenya | Nairobi, four nights in the Masai Mara, a night at Amboseli or a conservancy | A first safari with the migration |
| 7 days, Tanzania | Arusha, Tarangire, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro | The classic northern circuit |
| 7 days, Uganda | Entebbe, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi with a gorilla trek, and Lake Bunyonyi | Gorillas and chimpanzees on a moderate budget |
| 6 days, Rwanda | Kigali, Volcanoes for gorillas and golden monkeys, and Akagera | Gorillas and the Big Five in a compact trip |
| 10 days, savannah and beach | The Serengeti and Ngorongoro, then Zanzibar | Honeymooners and families |
| 12 to 14 days, two countries | Rwanda or Uganda for gorillas, then Kenya or Tanzania for the migration | A fuller East Africa journey |
Leave a rest day after a gorilla trek and a buffer day before an international flight. Our separate guides to each country give itineraries in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best East Africa destination for a first safari?
Kenya or Tanzania for the migration and big cats, or Uganda or Rwanda if gorillas are the priority.
How much is a gorilla permit in East Africa?
US$800 in Uganda, or US$600 in April, May and November 2026, and US$1,500 in Rwanda.
Is there one visa for several countries?
The East Africa Tourist Visa, about US$100, covers Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, while Tanzania needs a separate visa.
When is the migration in the Masai Mara?
From about July to October, with the most frequent river crossings from mid-August to late September.
Is East Africa safe to visit in 2026?
The main safari areas are described as open and operating, with screening and entry rules changing because of an Ebola outbreak centred in Congo, so check current advice before booking.