If you’ve ever dreamed of the perfect African safari, endless golden savannas, lions lounging beneath acacia trees, and sunsets so vivid they look edited, the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is exactly that place. After multiple safaris across East Africa, from Uganda’s lush rainforests to Tanzania’s Serengeti, we can confidently say: the Maasai Mara is the ultimate safari destination. It’s where wildlife encounters are up-close, landscapes are cinematic, and every game drive feels like a treasure hunt.

An African safari is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, whether you’re exploring the Serengeti in Tanzania, the Okavango Delta in Botswana, or Kruger National Park in South Africa. But to fully enjoy the experience, you’ll want to be prepared. Packing the right gear and clothing can mean the difference between a comfortable, stress-free trip and a frustrating one. This complete African safari packing list covers everything from essential travel documents to clothing tips, gear, and helpful extras seasoned travelers swear by.

Trekking with mountain gorillas has been at the very top of my bucket list for years. While waiting to meet our daughter to finalize our adoption, we decided it was finally time to make the dream happen. Then, just weeks before departure, I found out I was pregnant, making this an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime adventure in more ways than one! We spent 4.5 days of our 13-day babymoon across East Africa in Uganda, known as the “Pearl of Africa.” The highlights? Trekking with chimpanzees and the ultimate: gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This is one of the most unique wildlife encounters in the world — and one I wouldn’t exactly recommend doing pregnant (more on that later!).

Planning a trip to Tanzania and wondering if a safari to Ngorongoro Crater is worth adding to your itinerary? The answer is an easy yes, even if you only have one day. Ngorongoro Crater, often called the “Eden of Africa,” is one of the most incredible natural wonders in the world. This ancient volcanic caldera is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to over 25,000 animals, including some of the best chances to see the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and the elusive black rhino) all in one place.

If you've ever dreamed of dining with giraffes, Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya is the ultimate bucket list experience. During our recent trip to East Africa, John and I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stay at this world-famous boutique hotel, and it absolutely exceeded every expectation. Nestled in the heart of Nairobi’s Lang’ata suburb and surrounded by 140 acres of indigenous forest, Giraffe Manor offers guests a unique blend of luxury accommodation, up-close wildlife encounters, and meaningful conservation efforts. Here’s everything you need to know about our unforgettable overnight stay at Giraffe Manor and why it should be on your Africa travel itinerary.

If you’ve ever dreamed of a once-in-a-lifetime African safari, this is the itinerary to inspire it all. Our 13-day babymoon adventure took us across Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania with unforgettable moments like trekking with mountain gorillas, watching lions feast in the Serengeti, and waking up to breakfast with giraffes at the iconic Giraffe Manor. It was the trip that turned our travel dreams into reality during one of the most emotionally intense seasons of our lives.