Matador's Ultimate Guide to East Africa

Jaw-dropping landscapes, delectable cuisine, and unlimited wildlife experiences ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Eastern Africa]( Matador's Ultimate Guide to East Africa Hi all, East Africa is so much more than just Kenya. From dreamy [honeymoon destinations in Mauritius]( to [gorilla-trekking adventures in Rwanda]( to swimming in [pink beaches in Seychelles]( to [climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania]( there are so many incredible countries that often get overlooked. Every country has its own unique culture, diverse architecture, breathtaking geography, and tasty cuisines. Let's jump in and explore our favorite parts of Eastern Africa. [BEGIN HERE IN ETHIOPIA]( [GuideGeek]( Get Inspired [Mauritius Beach]( These Gorgeous Mauritius Beaches Will Make You Forget About the Extra-Long Flight It’s not easy to choose a favorite among the fabulous Mauritius beaches when each coast boasts bright turquoise water and long sandy stretches that have earned the island accolades as a top honeymoon spot from publications like Brides Magazine. [READ MORE]( [African Architecture]( 54 Structures That Prove African Architecture Is Widely Underrated With vernacular structures that reconcile man’s ingenuity with the natural world, monuments that have shaped nations, and a moving target of modern designs that have evolved throughout the ages, there’s a lot to learn about the buildings that buttress the continent. Here are 54 examples of African architecture, one for every country, that prove just how widely underrated it has been. [READ MORE]( [Kigali]( How Rwanda’s Mandatory Community Work Day Made Kigali the Cleanest City in Africa Umuganda can be translated as “coming together in common purpose to achieve an outcome,” a practice that has long existed in Rwandan culture but only recently became mandatory. On the last Saturday of every month, from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, businesses close and traffic halts as citizens across the country take to their neighborhoods, shovels and hoes in hand, and together try to make them a little bit better than they were the month before. [READ MORE]( [Ethiopia]( The Most Breathtaking Geography in Ethiopia From the epic Blue Nile Falls to the otherworldly Dallol volcano (the hottest place on Earth), it’s no wonder Ethiopia has more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other African country. These are the most breathtaking sites in Ethiopia that will make you wonder how you ever overlooked it. [READ MORE]( [Madagascar]( 14 Stunning Images From an Unforgettable Trip To Wild, Remote Madagascar The country is made up of the main island of Madagascar, the world’s fourth-largest island, and several smaller islands. We started on the island of Nosy Be, off the coast of the main island, and ended at the main island’s northern port city of Antsiranana, visiting three national parks along the way. Here are my favorite photos from our journey to this beautiful, wild island. [READ MORE]( [Rwanda]( 9 Epic Experiences To Have in Rwanda That Aren't Gorilla Trekking Rwanda is famous for being one of the only places on Earth where you can get up close and personal with endangered mountain gorillas. While bushwhacking through Volcanoes National Park in search of the almighty silverback is an incredible experience, it’s also prohibitively expensive and only begins to reflect the epicness that Rwanda has in store for visitors. Whether you’re looking to round out your itinerary or find alternatives to gorilla trekking altogether, consider these nine adventures for the ultimate Rwandan vacation. [READ MORE]( [Mount Kilimanjaro]( Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro? Read This Before You Start Planning. Mount Kilimanjaro is famous for being the highest mountain in Africa. It’s in northern Tanzania, near the border with Kenya and close to Mount Meru (the second-highest mountain in Africa). That puts it fairly close to Lake Victoria and the safari reserves and coffee plantations near Nairobi, making visiting Mount Kilimanjaro an excellent finale to a larger trip through eastern Africa. If you’re thinking about planning a trip to hike Mount Kilimanjaro, here’s what to know before you begin your trip planning. [READ MORE]( [Mauritius]( 5 Ways To Plan a Mauritius Vacation on a Budget Long-favored by newlyweds and resort lovers, the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius isn’t known for being the most wallet-friendly destination. Being smack bang in the middle of the ocean doesn’t help keep flight costs down either — but once you’re there, the best things about Mauritius are free. [READ MORE]( Nature + Adventure [Tsingy de Bemaraha]( How To Visit Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in Madagascar It’s one of the wildest looking places on earth and a must-visit national park for hikers who love exploring the world’s most unique places on foot. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to endemic species like bamboo lemurs and the rare fossa (similar to a large weasel mixed with a house cat). [READ MORE]( [Mauritius swimming]( 9 Epic Mauritius Adventures That Show Why Locals Call It Paradise Island “Paradise Island,” as locals call Mauritius, is home to vibrant reefs, dense forests, and even mountains, making it an ideal place for every adventure activity from scuba diving and stand-up paddling to hiking and even four-wheeling. Here’s everything you can do to get your heart pumping in Mauritius. [READ MORE]( [Dallol]( The Hottest Place on Earth Is Uncomfortable, Dangerous, and Beautiful Dallol — located in the Afar region of northern Ethiopia near the Eritrean border — is also the hottest inhabited place on Earth. The average annual temperature is almost 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average daily high temperature soars to 106º F. Mother Nature offers little relief. Rainfall is rare, and the “Afar wind” can leave one’s skin feeling as if it’s on fire. Stepping out of an air-conditioned vehicle is truly like stepping into a furnace. [READ MORE]( [giraffe]( $35 Safaris, $190 Lux Glamping: A Budget African Safari in Rwanda  Not only is it home to Africa’s big five, which includes elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos (white and black), and buffalos, but it’s also home to crocodiles, hippos, nine species of antelope, zebras, giraffes, baboons, civets, and many more. [READ MORE]( [Victoria Falls]( Victoria Falls: A Must-See Natural Wonder of Zimbabwe Known as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls is known for its stunning beauty and powerful force. The falls are one mile wide and the tallest waterfall in the world, standing at 350 feet high. Because of this impressive height, visitors can feel and hear the thunderous roar of water cascading down into a deep gorge below. [READ MORE]( Food + Culture [Tanzania]( 11 African Ruins You Need To See Besides the Pyramids Africa is the second most populous continent on Earth, and it was home to many of humanity’s most important historical cultures over thousands of years. The continent houses some of the world’s most incredible ruins, including cliff-side dwellings, mega-amphitheaters, and monolithic towers that have stood for thousands of years. Take your visit to Africa deeper with a deep dive into human history by visiting the grounds of former kingdoms and religious sites throughout the continent. Here are the ruins you need to see. [READ MORE]( [Rolex]( Why Everyone Needs To Eat a Rolex in Uganda In Uganda, lush green scenery provides the perfect backdrop for the wildlife and nature tours that can be taken there. However, local cuisine is often overlooked by international visitors. Roadside delicacies in Uganda, such as the samosa and mandazi, are arguably the best in East Africa. But none have proved more popular as the omelet-style treat Ugandans called the rolex. [READ MORE]( [Swahili]( This Guide To Swahili Will Help You Travel To 12 African Countries Without a Hitch This traveler’s guide to the Swahili language is designed to give those who plan to visit a Swahili-speaking country and want to connect deeper with the locals all the basic information they need. [READ MORE]( [Montenegro Cafe]( The Two Traditional Tanzanian Stews You Need in Your Life Try these hearty, filling stews that highlight two of Tanzania’s most abundant crops — bananas and maize. [READ MORE]( [Zanzibar]( Guests Can Either Swim or Take a Boat To This Restaurant in the Middle of the Ocean Located on the pristine southeastern coast of Zanzibar, where the white sand beaches meet the crystal clear ocean waters, this restaurant offers one of the most interesting dining experiences in the world: The Rock restaurant is literally positioned on top of a rock in the middle of the ocean. If you want to scratch the best ocean view in the world from a dinner table off your bucket list, you need to make a reservation here. [READ MORE]( Epic Stays Take the headache out of planning and check out our staff picks for places to stay [African places to stay]( [African places to stay]( [African places to stay]( [African places to stay]( [African places to stay]( [African places to stay]( [African places to stay]( [Epic Stays TikTok]( FOLLOW US AND FIND YOUR NEXT #TRAVELSTOKE [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Linkedin]( [Youtube]( [Instagram]( [TikTok]( [Pinterest]( [Custom]( [Update your email frequency and topic preferences here](. Or [unsubscribe from our newsletter.]( We'll be here when you need us! Copyright © 2023 Matador Network, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Matador Network, PO Box 7775, Suite 40021, San Francisco, CA 94120, United States