East Africa
The cradle of humanity, wildlife observation and breathtaking beaches
East Africa: cradle of humanity
East Africa is acknowledged as the origin of early modern humans, emerging around 200,000 to 300,000 years ago, before they began to spread throughout the world.
There are 18 countries in East Africa, which consists of distinct geographic regions: Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
East Africa was the last part of my African Big Tour in 2004-05, when I traveled from the Eastern Europe, through Middle East to Tanzania.
It wasn’t until 2022 that I returned to Burundi and Rwanda. One year later, I also visited the countries of African Horn. In 2025, my family joined me for part of the journey through one of the most rewarding regions in Africa. I explored Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique.
Wildlife, tribes and beaches
I explored and lived the highlights that Africa can offer in this region:
- I observed wildlife in Kenya, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, where I managed to track the Big Five: elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, and rhinos.
- I visited unique tribes in Ethiopia’s Omo Valley who still live a very traditional lifestyle closely connected to nature.
- I sunbathed on breathtaking sandy beaches under palm trees in the relaxed atmosphere of Zanzibar, Tanzania.
While numerous similarities exist, particularly among neighboring countries, significant differences are evident in cultural, geographical, religious, and economic aspects. Geographical highlights stand out in a form of two tallest peaks on the continent, Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya. Lake Victoria is the world’s second largest freshwater lake, while Lake Tanganyika is the world’s second deepest lake.
The diverse landscapes of East Africa impressed me deeply. From the sweeping savannahs of Kenya and Tanzania to Ethiopia’s dramatic highlands and the region’s idyllic beaches. Everywhere I travelled, I felt surrounded by an extraordinary natural beauty.
The region’s rich history, vibrant traditions, and incredible mix of languages revealed a cultural mosaic unlike anywhere else I’ve been.
Although I met only a small fraction of the region’s more than 160 ethnic groups, each encounter felt special.
