11 East African Hidden Gems You Should Add To Your Bucket List

East Africa is a region teeming with unbelievable activities and things to do. Hiking to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, experiencing the savannah of the Serengeti, trekking with the endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda, and observing the lion prides of the Maasai Mara are all well-known bucket list items in East Africa. While those hot spots are undeniably incredible, there are so many adventures and sights in the area that intrepid tourists shouldn’t miss. Check out our guide to some of the best hidden gems in East Africa for your next trip.

Safari in Akagera National Park

Tourists in East Africa generally check out the famous safari parks of Tanzania and Kenya. Although the Serengeti and Maasai Mara are impressive beyond belief, the hordes of tourists sitting engine to engine in these serene spaces are much less enjoyable. Plus, it is wildly expensive. For a more quiet, cheaper, and off the beaten path safari experience, check out Akagera National Park in Rwanda. Akagera has recently been able to reclaim its title of a Big Five safari park, with both lions and rhinos reintroduced to Rwanda in the past few years. For just $40 USD in safari fees per day, roam the stunning wetlands and savannah of East Africa’s most underrated safari destination.

Hike Mt. Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Visit Mafia Island in Tanzania and snorkel with whale sharks

Located just off the coast of Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, Mafia Island is one of East Africa’s best diving locations. Scuba divers visit this small archipelago from all over the world in order to see an assortment of healthy coral reefs and massive schools of fish. The real reason, however, to visit Mafia Island is to encounter a whale shark. These gentle sea giants are found just a few kilometers from the Mafia Island harbor, and snorkelers can spot up to 20 of these graceful creatures at a time.

Explore the ancient streets of Lamu in Kenya

Although Stone Town in Zanzibar is a beautiful old island with fascinating Arabic influences, it is often critiqued as being overrun by tourists. If you’re looking for a calmer destination, check out Lamu Island in Kenya. Reachable only by boat from Mombasa or Diani, this island possesses the similar Arabic influences of Stone Town at a fraction of the price. Explore old ruins, indulge in fresh seafood, and laze your days away on bright white sand beaches.

Go white water rafting on the Nile in Jinja

The roaring white rapids of the Nile river in Jinja have delighted travelers and locals for many years. Located just a few hours from the Ugandan capital of Kampala, spend a day or two testing your wits and physical prowess against some of the roughest waters on earth.

Hang on the beaches of Lake Tanganyika in Burundi

Though Burundi has experienced political unrest since the attempted coup in 2015, Bujumbura, the country’s capital city, still possesses one of the best beach scenes in the region. Head to Bora Bora beach club for parties every weekend, or just spend the days relaxing on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.

Party in Nairobi

No where else in East Africa does a city throw down like Nairobi. A lot of tourists do a quick layover in Nairobi on their way to go on safari, but for a real Kenyan experience, include a few extra days in your trip to bar hop and dance the night away in East Africa’s most bumping capital.

Kayak the calm shores of Rwanda

Known for gorillas, Rwanda has a lot more to offer the intrepid traveler than just primates (though hiking with the gorillas is a pretty special experience too). Check out Kingfisher Journeys, and consider booking a multi-day kayaking trip along the vibrant coastline of Lake Kivu. Kayak through small towns, coffee roasters, and fish farms, while getting a chance to experience Rwanda’s stunning hills through a unique perspective.

Visit Gombe Stream National Park in Tazania for chimpanzee trekking

Made famous by Jane Goodall, Gombe Stream National Park is home to the Kasakela chimpanzee community. A limited number of trekking permits are available daily, as visitors are led through the park by rangers familiar with the chimpanzees and their habits. This park is not easy to reach, as Gombe Stream can only be accessed by boat, making this experience all the more adventurous.

Hike through Sipi Falls in Uganda

Sipi Falls is a collection of stunning waterfalls in Eastern Uganda. Independent or guided hikes can be arranged from an assortment of comfortable guesthouses in the area, as well as rock climbing, abseiling, and more. Used by many travelers as a base for climbing Mt. Elgon, the falls themselves are worthy enough of a visit.

Bike through Hells Gate National Park in Kenya

This national park, located just a few hours northwest of Nairobi, sits in a particularly beautiful area of the Great Rift Valley. Cheap park entry fees and a lack of big cats and predators have made this park known for its excellent bike trails. This is one of the only major safari parks in the world where visitors can bike alongside herds of zebras, buffalos, and gazelles.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.