Enchanting, exciting, and life-changing, our East Africa adventures give students and groups the experience of a lifetime. Explore the natural beauty and wildlife of this remarkable region with expert guides, and learn about the cultures and histories of the people who call East Africa home.
Overview
We organize adventure treks and educational tours in:
Kenya
Tanzania
Uganda
Rwanda
Zambia
These programs, part of our study-abroad and experiential internships, are designed to offer an authentic, immersive East African experience. Our team is passionate about sharing the region’s beauty with the world.
Local university faculty, award-winning guides, and IMA experts deliver travel experiences that :
Foster cross-cultural competency
Build global perspectives
Provide measurable learning outcomes
Cultural treks are led by local faculty with years of field experience and a lifetime of East Africa in their hearts.
We explore historic landmarks and natural wonders — from serene beaches to awe-inspiring mountains — with a strong commitment to:
Sustainable travel
Ethical, culturally competent engagement
With over 200,000 years of human history, East Africa holds a monumental legacy. While it cannot be fully captured in just a few weeks, our local and international experts embrace the challenge of delivering an unforgettable educational journey.
What to Expect
East Africa safaris tours offer a wide range of destinations and experiences. From beach treks to wilderness safaris, we draw on decades of expertise and regional knowledge to design ethical, safe, and memorable journeys.
Most popular treks include:
Masai Mara Game Reserve with Nairobi Overnight Trek
Starting at $3,595/person
The Masai Mara Game Reserve—locally known as The Mara—borders Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and is world-renowned for the Great Migration of wildebeest, Thomson’s gazelle, and zebra. The reserve is also famous for its large populations of lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, and giraffes.
What makes it special:
Part of the Great Migration, one of nature’s most dramatic spectacles
Home to over 479 bird species, including the lilac-breasted roller, Kenya’s national bird
Limited vehicle access for a more private game drive experience
Iconic viewing spots such as Fig Tree Ridge, Leopard Gorge, and the Mara River
Many of our interns choose the Masai Mara Safari, paired with an overnight stay in Nairobi to visit the Giraffe Center and the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage—making it our most popular trek.
7-Day Mt. Kilimanjaro Climb – Machame Route
Starting at $3,250/person
Located in Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro National Park, this dormant volcano—known as the Roof of Africa—is the continent’s highest peak at 16,100 feet.
Climbers can choose from seven official routes. The Machame Route is steep but scenic, while the Lemosho Western-Breach Route offers a tougher, less-traveled nine-day ascent through glaciers to the summit.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kilimanjaro delivers one of East Africa’s most unforgettable adventures.
Malindi/Watamu Beach Safari
Starting at $1,250/person
This 2-day/1-night trek combines snorkeling in the Watamu Marine National Park with a visit to Marafa-Hell’s Kitchen, often called the “Grand Canyon of Kenya.”
Highlights include:
Snorkeling among coral reefs and 600+ species of tropical fish
Spotting whale sharks, manta rays, and nesting sea turtles
Exploring the ancient ruins of Gede, a 12th-century Swahili stone town
Visiting Hell’s Kitchen, a colorful canyon of red iron, chalk, and ocher formations
The Watamu Turtle Watch (WTW) also plays a vital role here, protecting and rehabilitating turtles. Visitors can support the program by “adopting” a turtle.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National Park
Contact for Pricing
Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is accessible only on foot and offers a truly exclusive trekking experience.
Highlights:
Home to 120+ mammals, 348 bird species, 220 butterflies, and 27 reptiles
Over 1,000 species of plants, creating a uniquely diverse ecosystem
Sanctuary for mountain gorillas, monkeys, and chimpanzees
Strict conservation efforts protect wildlife and habitats
The famous Gorilla Trek allows visitors to observe gorillas safely and legally (permits required in advance)
Trek includes a day tour of Kigali, Rwanda
For more details, including sample itineraries and permit availability, please contact your Program Mentor.
Zanzibar’s Mafia Island
Contact for Pricing
Part of Tanzania’s Zanzibar Archipelago, Mafia Island is a hidden gem of the Indian Ocean. Known for its pristine beaches and vibrant marine life, it offers some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in East Africa.
Highlights:
Explore 11th-century ruins surrounded by lush landscapes and rich marine ecosystems
Enjoy activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, fishing, land safaris, and birdwatching
Stay at luxury resorts or a rustic castaway beach camp for a more immersive experience
Experience a warm, dry climate most of the year, ideal for nature lovers
Tsavo & Amboseli National Parks
Contact for Pricing
Located between Mombasa and Nairobi, Tsavo National Park is one of the world’s largest protected areas, split into Tsavo East and Tsavo West. Many lodges are set near watering holes, offering incredible opportunities to spot wildlife right from your stay. Highlights include:
Lugard Falls on the Galana River, with striking volcanic rock formations and waterfalls
Iconic wildlife such as Masai lions, elephants, hippos, rhinos, giraffes, and buffalo
Nearby, Amboseli National Park is world-renowned for its elephant herds and sweeping views of Mount Kilimanjaro. With five distinct habitats—savannah, woodland, wetland, sulfur springs, and the seasonal Lake Amboseli—the park is one of Kenya’s most diverse. Visitors can also engage with the Masai community to learn about local culture and traditions.
Hell’s Gate National Park Trek
Contact for Pricing
For nature lovers, Hell’s Gate National Park offers a unique savannah ecosystem south of Lake Naivasha, northwest of Nairobi. The park is home to over 100 bird species and a range of wildlife, including buffalo, zebra, eland, hartebeest, gazelle, and baboon.
Treks to Hell’s Gate are often paired with safaris to the Masai Mara Game Reserve, making it an ideal addition to your East African adventure.
Integrated Travel and Study Abroad Experiences
If you’re pursuing a career in medicine, IMA offers the opportunity of a lifetime. In East Africa, some of the world’s most beautiful and fascinating destinations provide the backdrop for adventure travel at its finest. Through our study-abroad programs, you’ll explore the region while training alongside leading medical professionals.
You will:
Shadow a range of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, physician assistants, nutritionists, and dentists
Observe how care is provided in resource-limited settings
Learn practical skills for working effectively under pressure
Gain valuable pre-med experience
Support efforts to improve the health and well-being of the local community
Combining hands-on healthcare experience, cultural immersion, and adventure safaris makes for an unbeatable gap year, summer break, or semester abroad.
Programs run from two weeks to several months and are open to:
Doctors
Medical residents
Medical students
Pre-med undergraduates
Nurse practitioners
Each internship includes inspiring travel and cultural excursions, tailored to your schedule and interests.
Accommodations and Sustainability
Our knowledgeable staff is uniquely positioned to offer authentic East Africa Safari tours, ensuring you experience the very best of the region’s natural environments and rich culture.
Accommodations – carefully selected to complement the natural beauty of the area, promote memorable wildlife viewing, and encourage meaningful cultural exchange with local communities
Eco-lodges – in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, we primarily work with eco-lodges that foster positive community connections and minimize environmental impact through renewable energy, waste reduction, and water conservation
Sustainable partners – IMA’s partners take long-term approaches that reflect our focus on community health, benefiting local people, animals, and the environment