Seniors Safari Tours

With their abundant wildlife, fascinating cultures, breathtaking landscapes and endless adventure, East African safaris for seniors are a bucket list trip for many travelers in their golden years. But with so many safari destinations to choose from (Uganda! Rwanda! The Serengeti!), it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. And once you have decided to make your dream vacation a reality, what can you do to ensure your senior safari is a roaring success?

Not to worry! With almost thirty years of experience planning and running East African safaris, many for intrepid older travelers like you, our expert team at The Vicmos Tours & Safaris has you covered. Bring a pencil, some paper and your sense of adventure as we share our most recommended countries for East African safaris for seniors and valuable tips to help your trip go off without a hitch.

The Best Destinations for East African Safari Tours for Seniors.

So, which African safari destinations are best for senior travelers? That depends on your interests, what kind of wildlife you hope to see, and the experience you would like to have. Some countries are perfect for adventure and animal lovers, with bush walks galore. Other top destinations for a senior safari offer animal encounters and cultural experiences in equal measure. Many Africa tours for seniors will even incorporate more than one country, providing you with a more well-rounded picture of this vast continent. Ready to explore your options? Here are our most recommended African safari destinations for older adults.

Tanzania

From the Great Migration and the Big Five to natural wonders like Mount Kilimanjaro and Ngorongoro Crater to tropical white-sand beaches lining the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, Tanzania has it all. In short, if you want to combine the thrill of an African safari with the blissful relaxation of a seaside vacation, all this one visa stamp, then Tanzania is the country for you.

Here, you’ll find what is arguably Africa’s premier safari destination, Serengeti National Park. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981, this 5,700-square-mile (14,763-square-kilometer) national park boasts 3,700,000 acres (1,500,000 hectares) of pristine savanna, as well as the continent’s largest population of lions. It is also home to the vast majority of the Great Migration, the planet’s biggest annual animal migration, where massive herds of wildebeest and zebra, totaling more than 1.5 million and 250,000, respectively, thunder across the plains alongside eland and Thomson’s gazelle throughout the year.

Almost as impressive is the neighboring Ngorongoro Crater. This gigantic intact volcanic caldera, the largest on the planet, collapsed in on itself after an enormous explosion some three million years ago. Today, the crater is a UNESCO World Heritage site, along with the adjacent Olduvai Gorge, nicknamed the “cradle of humankind.” This natural enclosure also hosts around 25,000 large mammals, including the Big Five, making it possible for seniors to spot all five animals in one day.

Lastly, we can’t talk about Tanzania without mentioning Mount Kilimanjaro. The globe’s biggest free-standing mountain and the tallest peak on the continent, this sleeping, snow-capped volcano towers 19,340 feet (5,895 meters) above sea level, earning it the nickname of the “Roof of Africa.” Luckily, you don’t have to scale its lofty heights to experience its awe-inspiring beauty. On a clear day, this majestic mountain can be viewed from 100 miles or more away.

Why We Love It

Unparalleled game viewing at the world-renowned Serengeti National Park, including the bulk of the Great Wildebeest Migration, as well as the Ngorongoro Crater.

Heavy investment in infrastructure means top-notch accommodations, easily accessible safari destinations through major airports near Dar es Salaam and Arusha, seamless transfers and a more comfortable travel experience.

Long stretches of lush coastline and the island of Zanzibar offer the perfect beachy bookend to any senior safari in Tanzania.

 

Kenya

Tanzania’s neighbor to the north, Kenya is another country in East Africa that boasts all of the Big Five. It is also the only other place in Africa where you can witness the Great Migration, which rumbles through the Masai Mara National Reserve from late July through early November. For this reason, the Masai Mara is right up there with the Serengeti when it comes to Africa’s best senior safari destinations. In fact, in a few aspects, it is even better. Due to the reserve’s much smaller size, only 585 square miles (1,510 kilometers) by comparison, the year-round concentration of wildlife in the Masai Mara is much greater. As a result, you can see more animals in less time during a safari here.

Like Tanzania, Kenya touts several safari destinations worth visiting, like the Sweetwaters Game Reserve, the Samburu National Reserve, and Tsavo National Park. Along with the Masai Mara, another must-visit wilderness area is Amboseli National Park, a compact park and UNESCO World Heritage site in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro famed for its impressive elephant population. Though only 151 square miles (392 kilometers) in size, Amboseli has more than 1,600 free-roaming elephants that call the park home, a precious few of which are so-called super tuskers known for their impressively long tusks. Of the roughly 25 super tuskers still alive, around ten can be found in Amboseli. Here, visitors can marvel at these gentle giants as they gather in herds of as many as 100 elephants, a sight made even more breathtaking with Kilimanjaro rising in the background.

However, wildlife isn’t the only reason to embark on a senior safari in Kenya. This East African nation together with its southern neighbor Tanzania, lays claim to one of the continent’s most fascinating (and famous) tribes: the Maasai. Known for their colorful culture and traditions, their distinctive dress, their incredible height, and their reputation for being as friendly as they are courageous, the Masaai are pastoralists, meaning that they move their homes and livestock according to rainfall and grazing opportunities, and the guardians of the Masai Mara. Many Kenya safaris include a visit to a Masaai village, offering a captivating glimpse into nomadic life on Kenya’s plains.

Why We Love It

1. Outstanding opportunities for wildlife viewing, including the Masai Mara (and the Great Migration) and the elephants of Amboseli National Park.
2. Rich cultural experiences like visits to a Maasai village.
3. Extensive development means that areas are easily accessible; however, due to the vast distances between wilderness areas, flying between locations may be preferred.
4. Access to luxury lodges and renowned conservation outposts like the Giraffe Centre and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

 

Rwanda

Africa is home to an incredible menagerie of animals. The most famous of these are the Big 5—lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and water buffalo—which can be seen in many countries across the continent. Equally popular, though considerably harder to spot, is the mountain gorilla. Found in the misty hillside rainforests of the Congo Basin, these elusive great apes have dwindled in number since their discovery in 1902 and now count only a little more than 1,000 in their population. Fortunately, despite threats from poachers, mountain gorillas are on the rebound. Today, one of the best and easiest places to see them is Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

Given the mountain homes of this gorilla subspecies, a trek to see them isn’t for the faint-hearted. Some level of physical fitness is required, as you must hike through the bamboo-covered Virunga Mountains for anywhere from one to four hours or more to reach them. Still, as long as you plan accordingly, gorilla trekking in Rwanda can still be readily achievable for older clients. Having a fitness routine and investing in appropriate gear before your arrival will set you up for success. Then, once you’re on the ground, porters can be arranged to help you carry your items, and you may even be able to request a closer gorilla family at your early-morning briefing so that you don’t need to trek as far. You’ll also be happy to hear that Rwanda has the reputation of being the most accessible destination for gorilla trekking, as the trails are usually more open and easier to manage, and troops are typically located within a two-hour hike of the trailhead.

That said, be prepared to pay for convenience, as gorilla trekking in Rwanda is usually double the cost of a similar African safari experience in Rwanda. On the bright side, these mountain adventures tend to be much shorter, lasting only two or three nights, making them a quick and convenient extension to a safari through a neighboring East Africa nation.

 

Why We Love It

Magnificent mountain vistas peppered with easily accessible troops of mountain gorillas.

Easily combinable with a visit to other East Africa safaris for seniors spots like Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.

The country’s compact size makes travel within, as well as to and from, relatively quick and easy.

 

Uganda

Rwanda isn’t the only place seniors can see mountain gorillas on safari in Africa. Nearby Uganda is actually home to more than half of the world’s mountain gorilla population and two trekking locations: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Bwindi, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the destination of choice for Good Earth Tours due to its biodiversity, as well as its significantly larger number of habituated gorilla groups (troops that have been introduced to the presence of humans and can be visited by safari-goers).

Like in Rwanda, the same physical concerns and accommodations remain for a primate-tracking safari in Uganda. In fact, in some cases, hiking here can be even more challenging, with longer treks and more variable terrain. Still, due to the nature of these wild animals, nothing is set in stone, and you could very well be in and out of the forest in only three hours. Plus, the surge of adrenaline, the thrill of the chase and the anticipation of seeing these incredible creatures are powerful motivators to keep you going. Best of all, a gorilla permit in Uganda costs significantly less than in Rwanda, ringing in at only $800 per person as of July 2024 (up from $700) rather than $1,500 for Rwanda.

 

Why We Love It

Close encounters with a variety of primates, including mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and colobus monkeys.

More affordable than gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

Colobus Monkeys In Rwanda for Africa Safaris For Seniors

 

African Safaris for Seniors: How to Make Your Trip a Success

So, you’ve finally decided to step outside your comfort zone and check an African safari off your travel bucket list. Congratulations! No matter where you choose to go, you’re sure to have the adventure of a lifetime. Like Ernest Hemingway once said, “I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up that I was not happy.” However, before you can have your own glorious mornings beneath the African sun, there are a few things you should do to set yourself up for vacation success.

 

Let Your Interests and Budget (and Your Knowledgeable Safari Planner) Be Your Guide

Africa is as varied as it is vast. The same can be said for an African safari. While spotting incredible animals is a given, a journey through Africa can include desert landscapes or mountain vistas, tropical beaches or marshy swamps, quaint tribal villages or bustling big cities, vibrant cultural experiences or decadent dining. So, think of each African safari as an opportunity to choose your own adventure. The only limit is your imagination—and your travel budget.

 

Fortunately, professional safari planners (like us here at The Vicmos Tours & Safaris) can customize the perfect experience for your interests and budgetary guidelines, whether that includes luxurious lodges and flights between destinations or thriftier options like value accommodations (like camping!) and overlanding. As born-and-raised Africans and safari experts, we know the best lodges available in a variety of price ranges and the best times to travel to your dream destination, from Uganda to Tanzania’s Serengeti. Out team includes experienced professional guides who will bring your travel vision to life, allowing you to see Africa in all its glory.

 

Ask Questions and Make Requests

Advocating for your wants and needs is an important part of planning any vacation, but especially an African safari for seniors. Take advantage of your tour operator’s knowledge and connections to create the safari that works best for you. If you have mobility challenges, request to stay in a guest room that is close to the lodge’s main amenities, like the restaurant or lobby. Or, if you’re going gorilla trekking, ask to visit a group that is closer to the trailhead so you won’t have to walk as far. Your safari is what you make it, so make your experience work for you. You can share with us any details of your preferences or limitations, and we will be sure to advocate on your behalf.

 

Pack and Prepare Accordingly

The last thing you want is to be miserable in the wilderness halfway across the world, especially when you’re supposed to be having the time of your life. So, take steps ahead of time to ensure your safari goes off without a hitch. This can include packing an array of gear to accommodate a variety of weather conditions, like a jacket or thick sweater for early-morning game drives during the cooler months, or medicines such as antimalarials or antacids. If you’re going to embark on a gorilla trek or another more intense game-viewing experience, you might also want to consider a workout routine to improve your fitness. Something as simple as regular walks on a treadmill on incline or an easy hike can go a long way.

 

Consider a Fly-In Safari Rather Than Overlanding for Certain Destinations

Depending on which destinations you choose to visit, you may want to do a fly-in safari instead of driving from place to place to place. Due to the sheer size of Africa, traveling between countries and even game reserves can take quite a long time. For example, it can take between seven to nine hours or more to travel between the Masai Mara National Reserve and Amboseli National Park even though they are both located in the south of Kenya. Not only does this take up a lot of precious safari time, but because of the often rough condition of the roads, it can also be very uncomfortable, especially for older travelers. Flying from location to location on a light aircraft solves both problems, saving both your time and backside.

 

Ready to learn more about The Vicmos Tours east African Safaris for seniors? Send us an email at info@thevicmos.com or give us a call at + (255) 745 971749 today! We can’t wait to help you plan your trip of a lifetime.