Exploring East Africa in 2024 should be on everyone’s calendar. An East African safari conjures images of vast savannah plains, flat-topped acacia trees, and those postcard-perfect red and orange sunsets on the horizon. It’s no wonder that an East African safari is one of our most frequent requests! At Rhino Africa, we don’t ever copy and paste itineraries. Instead, we tailor-make one specifically for you. However, here’s one to get you dreaming, that travel bug biting, and your ideas sparking…
East Africa should be on your travel to-do list for 2024, Image Credit: Governors’ Il Moran Camp
Why You’ll Love East Africa
Famous for its abundance of wildlife in wildly remote landscapes while offering ultra-luxurious accommodation at the same time, it’s not a surprise that East Africa is at the top of many bucket lists across the globe. Giraffe, elephant, wildebeest, zebra, antelope and many more punctuate grassy acacia-studded plains that disappear into the horizon. Think Lion King; then you’re thinking East Africa!
But wait, there’s more. You can also easily combine your safari with a beach getaway on the Kenyan or Tanzanian coastline or visit the Zanzibar Archipelago. Gentle aquamarine waves, soft white sands, luxury beach hotels and year-round warm weather make these some of the world’s top beach destinations.
There are so many different ways to experience an East African Safari in 2024. Here’s just a taste of the adventure, scenery, wildlife and luxury accommodation you can expect…
Get up-close and personal with incredible wildlife, Image Credit: andBeyond Serengeti Under Canvas
First Stop: Nairobi, Kenya
Recommended Stay: 1 night
When you explore East Africa in 2024, we suggest you kick off your journey in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. With all the buzz of a major African city, Nairobi is an exciting and vibrant place to begin your East African adventure. With Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro as your backdrop, Nairobi offers museums, markets, restaurants and nature reserves well worth a visit.
Enjoy your breakfast with some special guests, Image Credit: Giraffe Manor
Where to Stay: Hemingways Nairobi
This luxury 5-star boutique hotel epitomises personalised service, ensuring your stay is nothing short of perfect. From the warm Kenyan hospitality to your personal butler, your every need is taken care of. Hemingways Nairobi is only 40 minutes from Nairobi’s international airport, set between Nairobi National Park and the foot of Ngong Hills.
The plantation-style architecture and intricate symmetry are coupled with contemporary-chic décor and hand-cut Italian marble. Meander through the gardens, unwind at the spa or explore nearby attractions, including the Karen Blixen Museum and Giraffe Centre.
Why We Love it
- Enjoy the view of the Ngong Hills from your private balcony and airy 80-metre-square suite
- Relax as your personal butler takes care of your every need, from dimming the lights to ordering your favourite tea
- The 24-hour in-room service offers you the chance to relax in your suite in privacy and comfort
- Relax at the on-site Hemingway Spa overlooking the manicured gardens
Giraffe Manor offers plenty of unbelievable photo opportunities, Image Credit: Giraffe Manor
Next Stop: Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Recommended Stay: 3 Nights
Next up, safari! Kenya’s flagship game park, the legendary Maasai Mara is a must on any trip to East Africa in 2024. Best known for being host to part of the Great Wildebeest Migration, this animal spectacle takes centre stage during the peak season around August to October. The show runs all year with the full cast of wildlife consisting of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope, with some hungry predators on their heels.
Wildebeest make their way across the plains
Where to Stay: Governors IL Moran Camp
Hidden along the banks of the Mara River in a forest in the Maasai Mara, you will find the ten luxurious tented suites of Governors IL Moran Camp. Each spacious tent has its own verandah and en-suite bathroom with a bath, large shower, twin basins, flush toilet, and hot and cold water. This secluded camp gives you a front-row seat to wildlife and the Great Wildebeest Migration.
Although tucked away, getting there is effortless, with daily flights from Nairobi to Musaira Airstrip located just 15 minutes from camp. Enjoy breakfast on the main deck while hippos snort in the river below, and sip on your favourite cocktail next to the firepit after an exciting day.
Why We Love it
Romantic hot air balloon safaris and bush dinners can be arranged on requestThe peaceful and secluded getaway is perfect for honeymooners and families with older childrenPamper yourself with spa treatments in the comfort of your luxurious tentExplore the savannah on twice-daily game drives with other guests or request a private vehicle
Luxury in the heart of the Maasai Mara, Image Credit: Governors’ Camp
Next Stop: Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Recommended Stay: 2 Nights
With the snow-capped Kilimanjaro as its backdrop and teeming with wildlife cohabiting with the local Maasai, Amboseli National Park is an incredible safari destination in its own right. With Kenya’s largest concentration of elephants and the full range of African wildlife living in harmony with the Maasai people, Amboseli offers a fascinating safari adventure.
Dreamy landscapes in Amboseli National Park
Where to Stay: Ol Donyo Lodge
The thatched-roofed luxury safari lodge is ideally located on the slopes of the Chyulu Hills and offers easy access to Amboseli National Park. As a forerunner in sustainable tourism, Ol Donyo Lodge works closely with the local Maasai to positively impact their livelihoods through tourism. The views also make this lodge special, from Kilimanjaro in the distance to the high density of wildlife roaming close to the lodge.
Why We Love it
- Plenty of activities, from horse riding, bush walks, mountain biking, and more
- This land is owned by and leased from the local community, so your stay contributes to the area and its people
- The cottage-style accommodation has private roof terraces for incredible sundowner views
- Swap your room for the star bed and sleep out under the stars
Sleep out under the stars, Image Credit : Ol Donyo Camp
Next Stop: Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Recommended Stay: 2 Nights
Ah, the Serengeti. The big one. The mother of all national parks. The one park all other parks are jealous of. Also known for hosting the Great Migration, this flagship national park is an enormous expanse of prime grazing and browsing that sets the stage for one of the world’s greatest mammalian shows.
Despite this swarm of life, you might not see the migration as it’s seasonal. However, your safari will still be more than worth it! Lion, leopard, cheetah, rhino, elephant, wild dog, hyena, giraffe – the smorgasbord of African wildlife – roam these plains as they have done for millennia.
Sip a sundowner while admiring the view from the hill top, Image Credit: Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge
Where to Stay: Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge
Tucked away in the Wogakuria Hills in the northern Serengeti, Lemala Kuria Hills offers a relaxed front-row seat to wildlife and the jaw-dropping Great Wildebeest Migration! Each of the 15 spacious, glass-fronted suites is discretely built to provide the utmost seclusion and privacy. Relax in your private plunge pool overlooking the neverending grasslands and hilly landscape.
Why We Love it
- The close proximity to the Mara River provides the opportunity to witness the spectacular river crossings of the Great Wildebeest Migration
- Enjoy excellent game viewing without the crowds
- Indulge in pampering treatments at the Melengali Spa
- Experience nature from a new perspective on hot air balloon and walking safaris
