EWT operates in five countries in East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and Ethiopia. Kenya and Tanzania provide the best game viewing in the world, period! There is a lot to consider when planning a vacation in Africa, and no matter where you go there are attractions other than game viewing. But if your focus is on seeing Africa's wildlife, then it's to Kenya or Tanzania, or both, that you must go. Although the size of all the protected wilderness areas in East Africa is greater than the size of France, compared to southern Africa there are many fewer places to stay and types of things to do. So while a traveler could return to East Africa several times without revisiting the same park twice while still enjoying the world's best game viewing, in Southern Africa you could return a dozen or more times without revisiting the same park twice. Similarly, there is a comfortable range of places to stay in East Africa from pretty basic to very luxurious, but that still falls rather narrowly within a much larger range of accommodations available in southern Africa. And finally, while East Africa does provide some very exciting adventure activities (like climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, mountain biking, beach vacations, and some trekking) most of your time is usually spent viewing game in a vehicle. In southern Africa there are as many types of vacation activities as you would expect traveling to California wildernesses. So while your choices are more limited in where you go and how you travel within East Africa, the conclusion will always be the same: the best game viewing in the world! Rwanda provides the best mountain gorilla trekking. Uganda has some moderately good game viewing, exciting and challenging mountain treks (in the Mountains of the Moon) and the best birding in the continent. These four equatorial countries do not have summer/winter climates, but rather complex miniclimates defined by regional rainy seasons. Compared to other regions in Africa, game viewing is good year-round, with slightly better game viewing during the first three-quarters of a rainy season. But there is little uniformity in the rainy seasons throughout the region: much of Kenya's attractions (east of the Rift Valley) are framed by two rainy seasons: the short rains (November - January) and the long rains (April - June). But most of northern Tanzania and some of Kenya (including the Maasai Mara) has only a single rainy season from December - May, and Uganda and Rwanda are often wet year-round. Ethiopia provides good treks, some limited game viewing, and fascinating historical and cultural touring.

The southern Africa region is one of the most diverse in the world, comprising countries among the poorest on earth (Madagascar, Zimbabwe) to the richest (South Africa).

South Africa is the most developed country of all safari countries, with a great range of tourist activities including one of the most beautiful cities in the world (Cape Town); excellent public services like roads, communication and health care facilities; and a huge choice of tourist attractions from game viewing to RV motoring. The country's long history (it was settled just before the first pilgrims landed in North America) gives rise to numerous excellent historical museums and a vibrant contemporary culture. South Africa's longitude south of the equator is about the same as Florida or Texas north of the equator. As in parts of inland Texas, it may snow in the winter, although it rarely sticks. And during the summer it is particularly hot, although the coastal cities like Cape Town and Durban remain lovely year round.

The best game viewing in southern Africa is found in Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia. These inland countries are very hot and wet during their summer (November - March), and as a result, some of the better safari camps are closed, then. The best time for game viewing is during the winter (May - September), although this is also when many trees have no leaves, the hours of daylight are at their shortest and when mornings can be frigid. Botswana and Zambia have limited other attractions. Zimbabwe was a more developed country with a deeper history and culture, although its recent political situation has seriously jeopardized most traveler interest. One of the continents principal attractions, Victoria Falls, is shared by Zambia (at Livingstone) and Zimbabwe (at Victoria Falls). The falls are at their most splendid from March - May, after which the flow systematically drops to the trickles normally seen from October through January.

One of the most interesting countries on the continent, Namibia is one of the larger and least populated and characterized primarily by the worlds oldest desert, the Namibia. The Namib's scenery is spectacular, including the worlds tallest dunes. The coast of Namibia is where one of the worlds hottest deserts meets the worlds coldest ocean, and this causes a turbulent sea known as the Skeleton Coast with very unique ecologies. Namibias game viewing, including at its famous Etosha National Park, pales in comparison to the three countries mentioned above. The northern border with Angola along the Kunene River is where some of Africa's most primitive peoples still live. Because of its harsh climate, Namibia is difficult to visit from October - April.

Mozambique is rapidly developing into the jet-setters getaway, with fabulous island and coastal resorts and a rapidly developing, very historic and beautiful capital, Maputo. There are some intriguing game viewing opportunities newly developed in the north, but the principal attraction is its coast and outer islands.

There is no other country in Africa with as unique ecology as Madagascar. The countrys development falls far short of its neighbors, though, and as such the tourist facilities remain mostly poor with a handful of notable exceptions. The main attraction is its lemurs, and the unusual environments in which they live. Madagascar is often toured in conjunction with the nearby islands of Reunion and Mauritius, both of which are highly developed, excellent beach and ecotourism destinations.

There are exciting climbs and treks all through Africa. We offer the best and most popular:

CLIMBS The best climbs in Africa are in East Africa, on Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Kenya and in the Ruwenzori (Mountains of the Moon). Generally, climbing in East Africa is best during the dry, hotter season, but note that Kilimanjaro has its own miniclimate and is best climbed in January, February, and August-October.

TREKS Adventure touring including hiking, fly camping, river canoeing and rafting, and biking are more developed in southern Africa than East Africa, but there are a number of exciting and new opportunities in East Africa. Keep in mind the season when placing your interest regionally: these programs operate year-round in East Africa which is on the equator, but in southern Africa many are scheduled by season. Winter (May - October) is cold in Botswana, Zimbabwe and inland South Africa, but winter camping safaris often provide better game viewing than during the much harsher summer.

All of the safaris listed on this site, except the Signature Safaris (which are guided by a specific individual over specific dates) are Private Safaris. Every itinerary can be operated at the rate quoted for a minimum of 2 people. If you have a group of 6 or more people, then call us for a special group rate for that itinerary (800-672-3274) or email sales@ewtravel.com.

Private Safaris means that you are met when you first arrive in the country by a representative assigned just to your trip. This person is your principal resource on the ground during your trip. You'll be privately transferred everywhere, be assisted with airport and other formalities and be on call for you 24/7. This representative is there fore any questions or difficulties you might have. On overland safaris this person is usually your driver/guide who remains with you for the entire overland journey portion of your trip.

Any of the itineraries displayed on this site can be operated as an Escorted Safari (except Signature Safaris whose escort is already the prominent guide named). An escorted safari means that you will be accompanied by local tour guide throughout your trip who will take care of many chores like hotel check-in and baggage handling, as well as function as a companion who will join you for meals and stay in the some lodge that you will be staying in.

Most overland safaris operated in East Africa are Private Safaris with a private, driver/guide who drives a private safari vehicle just for your trip. But the driver/guide takes his meals and lodges in staff quarters at the lodges and camps. If you upgrade your trip to an Escorted Safari, your driver/guide will stay with you throughout, joining you for meals and occupying guest accommodation similar to yours.

The cost of upgrading a Private Safari to an Escorted Safari varies greatly with the itinerary and the specific dates. Please call us for a quick quote on 800-672-3274 or email us at sales@ewtravel.com.

Signature Safaris are specific trips on specific dates that are guided by a prominent personality. If the dates shown on our website for this trip aren't convenient for you, or if you have your own group (6 or more people) and would like a prominent guide, please give us a call at 800-672-3274 or email us at sales@ewtravel.com.