Know Before You Go | East Africa Safaris
Whether you're traveling to witness the Great Migration or just want to learn more about East Africa, peruse this array of helpful resources. Our wildlife guides, packing tips and safari stories will give you a true taste of wild Africa.
Travel Tips
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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about Kenya or Tanzania? We've got answers! We've compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions about the Great Migration, African wildlife, camps, transportation, weather and more.
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Wildlife Guide
Wildlife Guide
Learn about the Great Migration, regal predators and the other wildlife you may encounter on your East Africa safari.
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Conservation & Community
Conservation & Community
Read on to discover how our initiatives in East Africa help protect African wildlife, preserve culture and support community development.
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Africa's Great Migration
Africa's Great Migration
This interactive map shows the seasonal migration patterns of nearly two million wildebeest and zebra as they move across the plains of Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Maasai Mara.
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African Wildlife Trivia
African Wildlife Trivia
Take our African safari wildlife quiz to put your knowledge to the test, then share it with your family and friends to see who knows the most about life on the savanna!
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Weather & Climate
Weather & Climate
Find out the typical weather conditions and climate of East Africa's ecosystems during the dry and rainy seasons.
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Packing List
Packing List
We’ve made a comprehensive list of all the clothing and gear you’ll want to pack so you'll be well prepared for your East Africa safari.
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Travel Stories & Articles
Mouths of the Maasai Mara
Mouths of the Maasai Mara
—By WWF
The grasslands of the Maasai Mara in Kenya and Tanzania’s Serengeti sweep you off your feet with stunning scenery and iconic wildlife. During the migration, millions of wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras and other ungulates move through the landscape, feeding on the grasses and, in turn, providing food for others. It’s incredible to imagine the number of mouths this landscape feeds. We want to highlight just a few of them.
The grasslands of the Maasai Mara in Kenya and Tanzania’s Serengeti sweep you off your feet with stunning scenery and iconic wildlife. During the migration, millions of wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras and other ungulates move through the landscape, feeding on the grasses and, in turn, providing food for others. It’s incredible to imagine the number of mouths this landscape feeds. We want to highlight just a few of them.
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Where the Wild Things Roam: The Great Migration and Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater
Where the Wild Things Roam: The Great Migration and Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater
—By Jon Jared
Tanzania’s Great Migration & Ngorongoro Crater safari is an adventure with a purpose. Both the unkempt, tangled wilderness of the Serengeti and the depth and diversity of the Ngorongoro Crater have captivated intrepid explorers for centuries. Visiting the country today is a vibrant adventure that focuses on the urgency of conservation while exploring the thrilling landscapes that reconnect us with the natural world.
Tanzania’s Great Migration & Ngorongoro Crater safari is an adventure with a purpose. Both the unkempt, tangled wilderness of the Serengeti and the depth and diversity of the Ngorongoro Crater have captivated intrepid explorers for centuries. Visiting the country today is a vibrant adventure that focuses on the urgency of conservation while exploring the thrilling landscapes that reconnect us with the natural world.
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Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater: The Eighth Wonder of the Natural World
Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater: The Eighth Wonder of the Natural World
—By Gary Balfour and David Bygott
20 million years ago, a mountain that never had a chance to be named led to the creation of one of the most beautiful and exciting places on Earth for African safari-goers. The modern-day Ngorongoro Crater remains as amazing as it must have been at its birth. Home to almost every species of African mammal, it is possible to see the “Big Five” in a single game drive.
20 million years ago, a mountain that never had a chance to be named led to the creation of one of the most beautiful and exciting places on Earth for African safari-goers. The modern-day Ngorongoro Crater remains as amazing as it must have been at its birth. Home to almost every species of African mammal, it is possible to see the “Big Five” in a single game drive.
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How to Get Wall-Worthy Pictures of Africa’s Great Migration
How to Get Wall-Worthy Pictures of Africa’s Great Migration
—By Samantha Miller
Between January and March the epic journey of Africa’s most notorious wildlife begins in the south of the Serengeti, a region that spans the northern part of Tanzania. The largest animal migration in the world occurs here, and luckily for wildlife enthusiasts and experienced photographers, Natural Habitat Adventures provides a front row seat to this marvel.
Between January and March the epic journey of Africa’s most notorious wildlife begins in the south of the Serengeti, a region that spans the northern part of Tanzania. The largest animal migration in the world occurs here, and luckily for wildlife enthusiasts and experienced photographers, Natural Habitat Adventures provides a front row seat to this marvel.
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Ultimate Kenya Safaris – Africa Travel Etiquette Part 2
Ultimate Kenya Safaris – Africa Travel Etiquette Part 2
—By iSafari
In part one of this series, we provided some basic greetings and phrases to keep in mind when traveling to Kenya in order to experience one of the greatest animal migrations on earth, while engaging in a true cultural experience with the local Indigenous people. In addition, being aware of a few cultural norms and customs will go a long way to improving your experience in Africa.
In part one of this series, we provided some basic greetings and phrases to keep in mind when traveling to Kenya in order to experience one of the greatest animal migrations on earth, while engaging in a true cultural experience with the local Indigenous people. In addition, being aware of a few cultural norms and customs will go a long way to improving your experience in Africa.
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Ultimate Kenya Safaris – Africa Travel Etiquette: Language
Ultimate Kenya Safaris – Africa Travel Etiquette: Language
—By iSafari
Kenya is arguably Africa’s most epic safari destination, if not in the world. If you are lucky enough to visit Kenya, here are a few basic local language and travel etiquette tips.
Kenya is arguably Africa’s most epic safari destination, if not in the world. If you are lucky enough to visit Kenya, here are a few basic local language and travel etiquette tips.
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Why a Custom Africa Adventure May be Right for You
Why a Custom Africa Adventure May be Right for You
—By Laura Kiniry
While Nat Hab offers a wide selection of group trips to Africa, ranging from a riverboat safari in Zimbabwe to a Madagascar rain forest adventure, the reasons for a custom trip tailored to your schedule, travel style and preferences are plenty. Our Adventure Specialists and Custom Africa team work directly with you to design the itinerary of your dreams!
While Nat Hab offers a wide selection of group trips to Africa, ranging from a riverboat safari in Zimbabwe to a Madagascar rain forest adventure, the reasons for a custom trip tailored to your schedule, travel style and preferences are plenty. Our Adventure Specialists and Custom Africa team work directly with you to design the itinerary of your dreams!
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Africa’s Amazing Birdlife
Africa’s Amazing Birdlife
—By Laura Kiniry
Here are eight extraordinary avians to keep an eye out for on your next African game drive, or African safari with Nat Hab.
Here are eight extraordinary avians to keep an eye out for on your next African game drive, or African safari with Nat Hab.
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Why a Private Trip May Be Right For You
Why a Private Trip May Be Right For You
—By Sharyl Nance-Nash
An increasing number of globe trotters don’t want a cookie-cutter itinerary, and particularly since COVID, the deal is made sweeter still if they can travel with only their family and friends. Private family trips and adventures with small groups of friends are more popular than ever.
An increasing number of globe trotters don’t want a cookie-cutter itinerary, and particularly since COVID, the deal is made sweeter still if they can travel with only their family and friends. Private family trips and adventures with small groups of friends are more popular than ever.
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Meet the Pioneering Women Changing the Face of the African Safari Industry
Meet the Pioneering Women Changing the Face of the African Safari Industry
—By Lavanya Sunkara
For the longest time, women in many wildlife-rich African nations did not work in safari tourism, due to the perception that it’s a “man’s job.” Today, women aren’t just breaking barriers, they’re paving the way for others to follow. They’re working as guides, security officers, head chefs and managers, and saying, “anything a man can do, we can do, too.”
For the longest time, women in many wildlife-rich African nations did not work in safari tourism, due to the perception that it’s a “man’s job.” Today, women aren’t just breaking barriers, they’re paving the way for others to follow. They’re working as guides, security officers, head chefs and managers, and saying, “anything a man can do, we can do, too.”
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4 Places to See Wildlife on Your East Africa Safari
4 Places to See Wildlife on Your East Africa Safari
—By Cathy Brown
To ensure you see as many of Africa's majestic creatures as possible, it’s best to combine multiple locations within Kenya and neighboring Tanzania. If you can do so during the Great Migration, even better. Here are our top picks for four of the very places to see wildlife on an East African safari!
To ensure you see as many of Africa's majestic creatures as possible, it’s best to combine multiple locations within Kenya and neighboring Tanzania. If you can do so during the Great Migration, even better. Here are our top picks for four of the very places to see wildlife on an East African safari!
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Meeting Maasai in Tanzania
Meeting Maasai in Tanzania
—By Don Martinson
Watching my daughter help get milk for a Maasai family that had just allowed us a glimpse of their pastoral life ingrained a lasting impression...
Watching my daughter help get milk for a Maasai family that had just allowed us a glimpse of their pastoral life ingrained a lasting impression...
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Kenya Migration: The Full Circle of Life
Kenya Migration: The Full Circle of Life
—By Dain Lewis
As we set out on our first game drive of The Great Kenya Migration Safari, we didn’t expect that we would witness the full circle of life within the first...
As we set out on our first game drive of The Great Kenya Migration Safari, we didn’t expect that we would witness the full circle of life within the first...
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Know Before You Go
