When people ask me about my favorite places I've ever traveled, East Africa is always near the top of the list. Actually, that's not entirely true. It's not just one place. It's a collection of countries, experiences, wildlife, people, and moments that somehow all blend together into one unforgettable chapter of my life.
I've been fortunate enough to visit Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and the island of Zanzibar over multiple trips, and every single visit has left me wanting more. Unlike destinations where you check off the highlights and feel satisfied, East Africa has a way of pulling you back. The landscapes are different. The cultures are distinct. The wildlife changes from region to region. Even after several visits, I still have a list of experiences I haven't had yet.
So...would I go back? Without hesitation!
Would I Go Back? Reexamining East Africa, Safari and Gorilla Trekking
What Makes East Africa So Different?
I've traveled to dozens of countries, but nowhere else has made me feel quite as connected to the natural world as East Africa.
There's something humbling about waking up before sunrise, climbing into a safari vehicle with a cup of coffee in hand, and watching the bush slowly come alive. You never know what you're going to see around the next corner. One morning it might be a pride of lions stretched across the road. Another day it could be elephants crossing in front of your vehicle or a leopard resting in a tree.
Unlike visiting a zoo or wildlife park, you're entering into their world, not the other way around.
Every game drive feels different because nature doesn't follow a schedule. But Africa is more than just safari.
Important to note: I have also gone to East Africa on a vision trip {a vision trip gives you the opportunity to see what is happening in an area vs a mission trip} multiple times with the humanitarian organization World Vision. As a family, we have supported the work that World Vision has been doing all over the world for many decades with our own money. I've also worked with their teams to help share the stories of those who continue to need support and bring awareness to the need for clean water and child protection.
When I spend time on safari, I realize that I'm in what I call "Disneyland Africa". I realize that I have the privledge of stepping away from the real realities of famine, scarce clean water supply, human sacrifice, genital mutilation, early childhood marriage and more that so many people in the area face.
I have also found that most of the safari guides and hoteliers that I have met, want to shine the most beautiful light on their country, and rightly so. Even when asked about specific issues facing their country, they will shy away from talking about those things.
I also think that it's incredibly important to allow yourself to be exposed to the realities of every day life for the people in the area that you are visiting. If you have the opportunity, spend a day or more learning about some of the hardships of life in the area you are visiting. There's something about putting a face and a name to a story that will change you and your perception forever.
Please do this responsibly. Their life isn't a circus for you to watch. Be respectful and open minded. Many responsible safari outfitters will know and have opportunities for you to learn more about local life. Ask the questions and be curious not judgmental. The thing about travel is that sometimes we learn that there's more that's alike about us than what is different.
Zambia: A Different Kind of Adventure
By the time I visited Zambia, I had already fallen in love with East Africa through my travels to Uganda and Kenya. Instead of chasing famous landmarks or checking off iconic attractions on a bucket list, my experience in Zambia looked very different.
In fact, I never even visited Victoria Falls.
The highlight wasn't a famous destination at all, it was the people.
Some of my favorite memories came from sitting down with local families, listening to their stories, sharing meals, and learning what everyday life looks like beyond the guidebooks. Those conversations gave me a deeper understanding of the country I would have never been able to get from a guidebook.
Travel has a way of reminding us that the places we visit are more than their most Instagrammable attractions. They're home to people with rich histories, traditions, and perspectives that deserve just as much attention as the landmarks.
Looking back, I'm actually grateful my trip to Zambia unfolded the way that it did. It reminded me that meaningful travel isn't always about seeing the "must see" sights. Sometimes it's about slowing down long enough to make genuine connections with the people who call those places home.
Would I go back to Zamia? Absolutely. And maybe next time I'll finally make it to Victoria Falls. but even if I didn't, I know I'd leave with exactly what I came for: meaningful conversations, new friendships, and a deeper appreciation for a country that's so much more than its most famous attraction.
Uganda: The Experience That Changed Me
If I had to choose one experience that completely transformed the way I travel, it would be gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Photos don't prepare you. Videos don't prepare you. Nothing prepares you for locking eyes with a wild mountain gorilla only a few feet away.
The trek itself is part of the adventure. Depending on where your assigned gorilla family is that day, you may spend hours hiking through dense forests, climbing muddy hillsides, ducking beneath vines, and navigating uneven terrain.
And then suddenly there they are!
Don't miss this post: Everything You Need to Know to Prepare for Gorilla Trekking
The silverback calmly watches over his family. Young gorillas wrestle and tumble around like curious toddlers. Mothers cradle their babies with a tenderness that feels incredibly familiar.
For one unforgettable hour, you're simply a quiet observer.
It's difficult to describe just how emotional that experience becomes. Looking into the eyes of an animal that's so closely related to us creates an instant connection that's impossible to explain until you've experiences it yourself.
I've had amazing travel moments all over the world, but gorilla trekking remains one of the most profound experiences I've ever had.
If someone asked whether it's worth the cost, the hiking, all the planning, my answer would be yes every single time.
I have visited Uganda multiple times. The first time, it changed me...and not because of the gorillas. Because of the people! Read about my experience here.
Don't miss this post: The Pros and Cons of Going to East Africa During the Rainy Season
Kenya: Wildlife Beyond my Expectation
Kenya delivered many of those classic safari moments I'd always dreamed about. Wide open savannas. Acacia trees silhouetted against spectacular sunsets with graceful giraffes extending their necks to eat. Large elephant herds and hippos lounging in the rivers. There were more zebra and wildebeest than I'd ever be able to count and I won't even start on how amazing it is to be part of the great migration.
One of the things I love most about safari is that no two drives are ever alike. Even visiting the same park on consecutive days produces completely different sightings. Every guide has stories and every animal encounter feels earned.
It's impossible not to become fascinated by how everything in the ecosystem works together.
Pro tip: I went to Africa three times before I ever took a hot air balloon ride at sunrise. After finally experiencing, I wonder what took me so long to do it! Is it expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? Also yes. Book it. Don't have regrets.
Tanzania: The Safari That Raises the Bar
If you think you've already experienced incredible wildlife, Tanzania somehow manages to raise the bar even higher.
The Serengeti feels almost endless. The Ngorongoro Crater packs an astonishing amount of wildlife into one spectacular landscape.
One moment you're watching a family of elephants. The next you're spotting cheetahs in the distance or listening as your guide points out birds you never would have noticed on your own.
Safari days are wonderfully repetitive in the best possible way.
Early mornings. Coffee at sunrise and then hours of wildlife viewing. Picnic lunches surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Top it off with evenings in the lodge sharing stories about what everyone spotted that day.
It's a rhythm that's surprisingly easy to fall in love with.
Don't miss this post: The Pros and Cons of Booking a Private Safari
End Your Trip in Zanzibar
After dusty roads, early wake up calls, and exciting safari adventures, Zanzibar is the perfect way to slow everything down.
The island almost feels like an entirely different vacation. Instead of safari vehicles, you'll find white sand beaches with the warmest water you've ever dipped your toe in.
Instead of lions roaring at night, you'll hear the gentle waves. And instead of khaki clothing, you'll finally unpack that swimsuit.
I loved the contrast.
Spending a few days relaxing along the Indian Ocean gave us time to process everything we'd experienced over the previous weeks. It's also an incredible place to enjoy fresh seafood, explore Stone Town, and simply unwind before heading home.
If you're planning a safari itinerary, I can't recommend adding Zanzibar enough. It really does create that perfect ending to an incredible trip.
Things I'd Do Differently Next Time
Even after multiple trips, there are always things I'd tweak. Planning safari, especially if it involves multiple countries, is one of the most complicated trips we ever tried to plan.
We relied on a travel agent who helped us, and then later found a few reputable people I'd reach out to if I were to plan it again.
Safari doesn't really have a set price. It's more of a tiered experience {luxury, mid range and budget} and then the providers give you a price and then depending on how many providers are involved {travel agent, safari outfitter on the ground, hotel or resort operator, etc...} the more the price changes.
If I were to do it again, I'd reach out directly to a provider. I think we'd get a much better rate.
On our last trip, we stayed for three weeks. It was not nearly long enough. But then again, Africa is my happy place, and no amount of time ever seems long enough.
My biggest tip is to stay longer in a destination. Don't try to see it all and fit too much into an itinerary. We stayed at some incredible resorts, but between game drives and moving to different locations, we didn't get to fully enjoy those destinations. Slow down a bit in each location. You might see less, but you'll experience more.
Schedule in more downtime between travel days because safaris start early and can be surprisingly tiring. Which is also why I have no regrets scheduling in a beach resort stay at Zanzibar before we left on our last trip.
Speaking of travel days, limit jumping around. There can be a lot of travel if you want to see multiple places. Find out how much time will be required in a car each day, and then plan accordingly. We had one safari day that was 7 hours of driving just to get to our destination. If we had known that, we would have probably opted to fly instead. The safari trucks are bouncy and perfect for game drives, less perfect for transportation.
Bring a good camera and lots of memory cards. The moment you step onto a safari van you'll think National Geographic commissioned you.
Don't forget to build in extra flexibility because wildlife doesn't follow a schedule. Sometimes the best sightings happen when you least expect them.
So...Would I Go Back?
I feel like you already know my answer!
Without a question and in a heartbeat! East Africa isn't a destination that feels "finished'. It's one that keeps calling you back. I'd return for another safari in a heartbeat. I'd happily hike to see mountain gorillas again.
I'd spend more time exploring communities, learning from the local people, and discovering regions I haven't visited yet.
And yes, I'd absolutely end another adventure with a few peaceful days on the beaches of Zanzibar.
Some trips are memorable because they're beautiful. East Africa is memorable because it changes you.
It reminds you how extraordinary our world is, how connected we all are, and how much there is still left to discover.
For me, that's exactly the kind of destination worth returning to again and again.
Don't miss the other posts in this "Would I Go Back" series
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