East Africa

The cradle of humanity, wildlife observation and breathtaking beaches

Wildlife, tribes and beaches

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.

I explored and lived the highlights that Africa can offer in this region:

Wildlife observation in Kenya, through which I tracked the big five: the elephant, water buffalo, lion, leopard, and rhinoceros.
Visiting unique tribes that still live a very elementary way of life in connection with the nature in Omo Valley, Ethiopia.
Sunbathing on breathtaking sandy beaches under palm trees in a relaxed atmosphere of Zanzibar in 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, and the Great Rift Valley, a deep gorge shaped by tectonic forces. 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, from the sweeping savannahs of Kenya and Tanzania to the impressive heights of Ethiopia and the idyllic beaches of Seychelles, offers an extraordinary natural beauty. This region is characterized by its rich history, vibrant traditions, and a variety of languages, culminating in a fascinating diversity that includes 160 different ethnic groups.