Best Places For Camping In East Africa
Camping safaris in East Africa are a perfect way to immerse yourself into the African wilderness. East Africa is one of the regions full of adventures and camping safaris even make it an extra-ordinary destination in Africa. The region boasts of unique wildlife destinations, and several accommodations making it a complete camping safari destination.
Camping safaris in East Africa are interestingly budget-friendly and perfect for backpackers on safari in Africa. Camping lets tourists enjoy a close interaction with nature, enjoy roar of bush lions, interact with friends in the campfire etc. Not all places offer amazing camping safari experiences except the following;
Kidepo Valley National Park
Located in North-eastern Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park is famous as a true African wilderness and indeed it is. The 1442sq.kms National Park is set in isolation and remains not fully discovered by many, offering authentic wilderness experiences to all nature-loving travelers on African safaris. Think of a lifetime camping experience and think not beyond Kidepo Valley National Park a home to 4 of the big five game; buffaloes, lions, leopards, and elephants plus cheetahs, Rothschild giraffes, zebras, 475 bird species, and other varied wildlife species.
While in Kidepo, there are limited accommodation facilities making camping the best option. The park boasts of its breathtaking landscape offering an exceptional camping safari experience, feel of being in the wilderness.
Kidepo Valley National Park is reachable by tourists on camping safaris by road or air transportation. By road, the time spent differs depending on the road but takes 10-12 hours’ drive from Kampala capital, and by air, you can fly from Entebbe airport/Kajjansi airfield to Apoka airstrip.
Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is one of the most outstanding camping safari destinations in East Africa. Visiting Akagera for a camping tour is a great opportunity to explore Rwanda’s only savanna wildlife safari Park. Akagera National Park is set in the Eastern side of Rwanda and features three (3) campsites including Mutumba, Shakani and Muyumba. In the Southern area of Akagera NP, find Shakani and Muyumba campsites. Muyumba campsite is suitably lying on the ridge providing excellent views of Lake Shakani and Lake Ihema. It is one of the incredible places to enjoy watching the sunrise. Shakani campsite lies along Lake Shakani shores providing an incredible view of the lake.
Mutumba campsite is found in the Northern section of Akagera NP, Eastern Rwanda. The Northern sector boasts of Akagera National Park’s huge profusion of wildlife making it the best for game viewing. Tourists can even hire tents at the reception while on camping safaris in Akagera National Park and they are available if you plan to stay in the Southern sector. When planning for camping safari in Akagera, you are advised to come along with your own camping gear and supplies.
Akagera National Park is a vast savanna park and the only one in Rwanda. The park protects a variety of wildlife including the big five game- lions, buffaloes, elephants, leopards, rhinos; 500 bird species, zebras, crocodiles, Masai giraffes, warthogs, antelopes like roan antelopes, and a lot more.
Tarangire National Park- Tanzania
Tarangire National Park is one of the most popular National Parks in Tanzania. This park is found in the Northern side of Tanzania and forms part of the Northern Safari Circuit. It prides itself for its exceptional beauty and unmatched wildlife diversity yet remains undiscovered wilderness paradise.
Tarangire National Park hosts a diversity of wildlife. While on camping safaris in Tarangire NP, the different wildlife species to expect to encounter include gazelles, giraffes, zebras, birds, wildebeest, and other antelope families, birds and others.
Masai Mara National Reserve- Kenya
Known for its remarkable wildebeest migration experiences, Masai Mara National Reserve is, without doubt, one of East Africa’s leading camping safari destinations. Masai Mara lies in Narok County of Kenya and sits on 1510sq.kms of land area, sheltering a huge profusion of wildlife especially the big five, birds, and other mammals. Each year (June to October), a mass movement of gazelles, zebras and wildebeest is experienced. Other wildlife not to miss seeing include large herds of elephants, buffaloes, prides of lions, leopards, cheetahs and others.
Camping safari in Masai Mara offers nature-loving visitors a distinct wilderness adventure experience of its own. Tourists can camp around the private or public campsites in Masai Mara and the popular campsites include Kiboko campsite, Oloololo campsite, Kishanga campsite, Ndovu or camp at Kijito campsite.
Top camping experiences in East Africa
There are countless most exciting safari activities worth taking part while on camping safari in East Africa. The most amazing activities to expect to engage in here include game drives to see the big game in Masai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park, Akagera National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, Murchison Falls National Park. Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and D.R. Congo, chimpanzee tracking, golden monkey tracking, nature walks, birding, mountain climbing, hot air balloon and a lot more.
Best time to go camping in East Africa
East Africa is open for camping all year-round. But, the perfect time to book a self-drive Uganda trip and enjoy an unforgettable camping experience is during the dry season- starting June to September or December to February. These are the best months when there is no or low rainfall in most of the camping safari destinations. The routes leading to most camping grounds become passable unlike during the rainy season- March, April, May or October, November. Camping during the rainy or wet months of the year is a little complicated due to heavy rains that make the ground slippery or muddy.
What to carry for camping safaris in East Africa?
The list of items to pack for a camping safari is endless but the essentials include a torch, cutleries, passport, first aid kit, cash, vaccination certificates including yellow fever certificate, sun protection- sunglasses, sunscreen; insect repellent, daypack- waterproof, camera, pair of binoculars, clothes preferably those that blend well with nature. Others include safari hats, headlamps, anti-malaria medication, sweaters, camping chairs and tables, bottled water, and hand sanitizer.