East Africa
EAST AFRICA
ETHIOPIA
Overview
Enchanting and bewildering in equal measures — even the way they measure time here is different to the rest of the world — Ethiopia is one of Africa’s most interesting countries.
First time visitors to Ethiopia are generally amazed by the stunning natural beauty of a country that is also incredibly rich in culture and history. The striking diversity of landscapes, ancient traditions and people leaves a lasting impression to challenge the misleading stereotype of a land stricken by years of drought and famine.
Visitors to Ethiopia can explore a destination enriched with culture and history and in turn disembark their journey with an incredible spiritual attainment.
| Bordering Countries | Capital City | Currency |
| Eritrea, Somalia, Djibouti, Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya | Addis Ababa | Birr (ETB) |
| Official Language | Largest City | Dialling code |
| Amharic | Addis Ababa | +251 |
When to go
Ethiopia is in the tropical zone lying between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer. There are three different climate zones in Ethiopia and weather varies substantially depending on altitude. The average annual temperature in the highlands is about 61 °F (16 °C), while the lowlands average about 82 °F (28 °C). At Addis Ababa, which ranges from 7,218 to 8,530 feet (2,200 to 2,600 m), the maximum temperature is 78.8 °F (26 °C) and minimum 39.2 °F (4 °C).
Best time to go: October to December (countryside is delightful after all the rain)
High season: January to March
Low season: April to September (Rainy season)
Best Weather: October to March
Worst Weather: August (Hottest and wettest month)
Fast Fact
The oldest fossil skeleton of a human was discovered in Ethiopia. So too was coffee, making Ethiopia the home of mankind and mankind’s favourite wake-up drink
Electricity / Voltage
Plugs / sockets are usually an issue when it comes to traveling, so always make sure you travel with a universal plug adapter
The voltage is 220V
The plug used is D, J, L
The electrical frequency is 50 Hz
KENYA
Overview
From the vivid aquamarine shades of the Indian Ocean to the enchanting lakes fringed pink by flamingos on the Rift Valley floor, Kenya is a startlingly beautiful land.
Famed for its striking wildlife bounding across the acacia-studded savannah of game parks, such as Amboseli, the Masai Mara, Samburu and Tsavo, Kenya is a safari-fanatic’s dream; vast national parks and reserves encompass one-tenth of Kenya’s surface, spanning desert, grasslands and dense mountain forest.
Kenya’s human population is equally as fascinating: around 40 different ethnic groups live in Kenya, including the Kikuyu, the Luo and the proud and beautiful red-clad Masai, who still lead a semi-nomadic lifestyle of cattle-herding along the southern border.
On the balmy Swahili coast, African and Asian culture blends together, the result of a tradition of ocean-going commerce which stretches back for centuries. Even today, romantic dhows (sailing boats) still ply these waters
| Bordering Countries | Capital City | Currency |
| Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan | Nairobi | Kenyan Shilling (KES) |
| Official Language | Largest City | Dialling code |
| English and Swahili | Nairobi | +254 |
When to go
t’s generally sunny, dry and not too hot for most of the year in Kenya despite being situated on the equator. The main rainy seasons are from March to May and November to December but the amount of rainfall varies year to year. Central Kenya is situated on a plateau and the altitude keeps the heat index at a comfortable level. The coastal areas are obviously hotter, but the ocean breeze also makes that region (Mombasa, Lamu and Malindi) fairly comfortable for most of the year. Mount Kenya is high enough to have permanent snow and it will often freeze at night. Western Kenya is generally hot and humid and Northern Kenya is generally hot and dry.
The annual (and astonishing) wildebeest migration takes place from July until September, when thousands of wildebeest and zebras travel across the Masai Mara National Reserve. The sight of the migration is one you will never forget, and we highly recommend that you plan your trip around this outstanding event.
Best time to go: June to October, January to February (Other, drier parks)
High Season: July to November, January and February (Some of the parks get very crowded especially the Masai Mara, Amboseli and Lake Nakuru)
Low Season: March to May (Some lodges and camps in high rainfall areas close down)
Best Weather: June to October (Little to no rainfall)
Worst Weather: March, April and May (Peak of wet season)
Fast Fact
Kenya’s Great Rift Valley was formed around 20 million years ago, when the crust of the Earth was split.
Electricity / Voltage
Plugs / sockets are usually an issue when it comes to traveling, so always make sure you travel with a universal plug adapter
The voltage is 240 V
The plug used is G
The electrical frequency is 50 Hz
TANZANIA
Overview
Shortly after achieving independence in the early 1960s, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the nation of Tanzania
Tanzania has three safari circuits and each one of them would make Tanzania a top wildlife destination. The popular Northern circuit with the Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater offers one of the best classical safaris in Africa, especially if timed with the annual wildebeest migration
Precious wildlife and nature play the leading role in breathtaking sceneries. Terms like «circle of life» and «paradise on earth» are manifested every day in the plains of Serengeti, the corrie of Ngorongoro, the lush Lake Manyara or in the ancient landscape of Tarangire where giant baobab trees and herds of elephant can be worshipped. Whether you are looking for the Big Five, the Great Migration, specific species or beautiful landscapes
| Bordering Countries | Capital City | Currency |
| Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique | Dodoma | Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) |
| Official Language | Largest City | Dialling code |
| English, Swahili | Dar es Salaam | +255 |
When to go
The best wildlife viewing months in Tanzania are during the dry season from late June to October. The best chance of seeing the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti is during June and July and the time to see the wildebeest calving is late January to February. The southern and western circuit parks are best visited during the dry-season (June to October), unlike the more popular northern circuit parks that can be visited year-round. Tarangire is the only exception, since its wildlife viewing is considerably better in the dry-season as well.
Best time to go: June to October (All parks), June-July and January-February (Serengeti for the wildebeest migration & calving)
High Season: July to March (northern circuit parks; they get crowded), July to October (southern and western circuit parks; they don’t really get crowded any time of the year)
Low Season: April and May (northern circuit parks still get quite a few visitors unlike the southern and western circuit parks, where many lodges close down)
Best Weather: June to October (Little to no rainfall)
Worst Weather: March and April (Peak of wet season)
Fast Fact
Mount Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania. At 19,341 feet above sea level, it is the largest mountain in Africa.
Electricity / Voltage
Plugs / sockets are usually an issue when it comes to traveling, so always make sure you travel with a universal plug adapter
The voltage is 230 V
The plugs used are D or G
The electrical frequency is 50 Hz
UGANDA
Overview
Uganda is Africa condensed, with the best of everything the continent has to offer packed into one small but stunning destination. In 1907, pioneering tourist Winston Churchill called it the «Pearl of Africa». He was right.
Uganda is not only the in possession of the highest mountain range in Africa, the Rwenzoris but also bears the highest concentration of primates on planet Earth with themountain gorilla as the star attraction. Uganda is the source of the nile and offers thebest white water rafting opportunities in Africa.
Travelling through Uganda you will be captivated by its beauty, overwhelmed by the friendliness of its people and intrigued by all that Uganda has to offer.
| Bordering Countries | Capital City | Currency |
| South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo | Kampala | Ugandan Shilling (UGX) |
| Official Language | Largest City | Dialling code |
| English, Swahili | Kampala | +256 |
When to go
Uganda’s climate is tropical. This means it is generally rainy (particularly during the months of March to May, September to November), while the remaining months (December to February, June to August) comprise Uganda’s two dry seasons
Best time to go: June to August and December to February (All parks)
High Season: June to September (It’s rarely crowded, but you’ll need to book your gorilla permits long in advance)
Low Season: March, April, May, October, November (Some lodges and camps in high rainfall areas close down; roads and forest trails can be in poor condition)
Best Weather: June-July and January-February (Little rainfall)
Worst Weather: March, April and May (Peak of wet season)
Fast Fact
Home to the endangered mountain gorillas, which are almost extinct. There are only 750 left in the world, and they can only be found between Bwindi National Park in Uganda, Parc de volcanoes National park in Rwanda, and Virunga in Congo.
Electricity / Voltage
Plugs / sockets are usually an issue when it comes to traveling, so always make sure you travel with a universal plug adapter
The voltage is 240 V
The plug used is G
The electrical frequency is 50 Hz
