East Africa

History

Within the historical era, East Africa has received immigration and influences from the Bantu peoples, Malay peoples of Southeast Asia, the Islam world, and the Western world.
Prior to colonialism, the Swahili Coast, which comprised the coastal areas of what is today Kenya, Tanzania and northern Mozambique was a very prosperous region, being home to numerous wealthy city-states such as Zanzibar, Mombasa and Kilwa Kisiwani. The former in particular was the hub of trade routes that went across the Indian Ocean and Sahara Desert, including that of the Arab Slave Trade.
The East African countries have developed very differently in modern times. In the late 19th century, the British Empire tried to create a chain of colonies from Cape to Cairo, competing with German East Africa until the defeat of Germany in World War I, after which present-day Tanzania was transferred to the British. Ethiopia famously resisted European colonialism (except a brief occupation by Italy in the 1930s), and the Dervish State wasn't colonized until after most other precolonial African states. Economically the countries range from Kenya, an emerging economy, to Somalia, one of the world's least developed countries.

Geography

East Africa contains spectacular geography, with the African Great Lakes, and most of the continent's tallest mountains. It is geographically isolated from the rest of the continent by mountains, deserts, and the African Great Lakes. The climate is more arid than it is on similar latitudes on the Atlantic coast, which makes the land dominated by savanna and desert.
While the climate in East Africa is tropical (except the tallest mountains, where snow can occasionally be found), humidity varies a lot, with jungles, savannas, and deserts.

• The East African Islands (including Madagascar) off the coast form their own region.

• — the huge capital of Ethiopia and a major hub for NGOs and the African Union
• — Tanzania's gateway to the Northern Safari Circuit
• — Tanzania's hot and humid metropolis has little to keep the traveler there, but is a major transit point of the region
• — the bustling, friendly capital of Uganda
• — aside from the genocide memorials, there is little to interest the traveler in Rwanda's capital; this is a passing through city
• — historic coastal Kenyan city thought to be more than 2,500 years old
• — the capital of Kenya
• — the capital of Zanzibar, and a centre of Swahili culture

• (Aksum) — the ancient capital of Ethiopia famous for its stelae and the ruins of various palaces
• — Africa's highest mountain and a great trekking destination in Tanzania
• — large highland national park in Malawi
• — home of the almost mythical, otherworldly scenery of the Mountains of the Moon in Uganda
• — huge national park in Tanzania, perhaps the archetypal African game park; becomes the Masai Mara National Park over the border in Kenya
• — stunning mountain scenery and important wildlife populations in Ethiopia
• — in Rwanda is full of impressive rainforest and volcanic scenery of the Virunga Mountains, and is perhaps the best place in the world to see rare mountain gorillas. Also crosses into Uganda where it is known as Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

English is understood throughout some of the East Africa region.
Swahili is understood and spoken by a large number of people, especially Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya, where it is an official language.

With vast tracts of flat land, driving (usually offroad driving) and general aviation are the most practical ways to get around.

The national parks of East Africa are known as great safari locations.

If you are travelling by boat, yacht or jet ski, you should be vigilant around the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, due to the activities of Somali pirates. There have also been incidents involving jihadists attacking non-Muslims in various parts of East Africa where they would target those who are unfamiliar with the Quran.

You can get into Southern Africa if you are coming from Tanzania; you can also visit Central Africa and the Sahel region.
Entering the Middle East is also possible.