When you think of an authentic African safari, East Africa’s Tanzania and Kenya always
stand out. Both countries feature a sensational African scenery, superior game-viewing, and
a series of bucket-list activities that defy comparison. Not to mention these are the only
places where you can see the iconic Great Wildebeest Migration. However, due to its
prestige that echoes throughout the world, many people are left with the question: Which of
the two offers the best safari experience, Tanzania or Kenya?
SCENERY
When it comes to the terrain as well as the kind of vibe the country projects, Kenya and
Tanzania are actually similar in many ways. This is mainly because the two safari countries
share a border, sit along the Indian Ocean and basically follow have the same climate which
is composed of two seasons: wet and dry. Kenya’s landscape is composed of mostly
highlands in the middle, sandy beaches on the coast, and fertile plains in the west.
Tanzania, on the other hand, has similar diversity but also around one and a half times
larger. The country is blessed with plains and plateaus running west across the country,
highlands in the north and south, and long stretches of white sand beach on the coast.
COST & INFRASTRUCTURE
With Kenya being a richer country than Tanzania, Kenya’s travel infrastructure is better and
more reliable. They have more hotels and guesthouses, it is easier to exchange foreign
money to shillings as all major banks can do so, and public transportation is ample. You can
easily find taxis, matatus, trains and even domestic flights that could take you to almost
anywhere in the country. However, despite having an advancing infrastructure, many roads
in Kenya remain unmarked. This doesn’t make it any less interesting, though. In fact, it adds
to the feeling of being in the wild.
In Tanzania, roads are not well-marked either. Options for public transportation are readily
available but since the country is huge, many parts may still be hard to access. Travelers
who love taking off-the-beaten paths are still likely to take the challenge (It couldn’t be any
wilder than that, could it?). For accommodation options, Tanzania also has plenty although
limited in certain parks. This promises an experience with exclusivity and lesser crowds
even on peak seasons.
When it comes to the costs, international air travel fares and safaris in Kenya are relatively
cheaper simply because of the wider availability of options. In Tanzania, since competition is
not that tight compared with Kenya, fees can be higher. But, if you stay in their major cities,
let’s say Nairobi in Kenya or Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, hotels in Kenya are generally more
expensive. For example, a 3-star hotel in Nairobi can cost you about 75 USD while a 3-star
hotel in Dar is only 43 USD on average.
WILDLIFE & BIRDLIFE
Kenya’s wildlife is in no doubt spectacular especially in its flagship Masai Mara safari park.
Aside from the migration animals that come here in July, Kenya is mainly known as an
excellent place to see big cats. It also homes to many endangered black rhinos as well as
exotic animals like the Sitatunga.
But if we let it all boil down to one country that’s best in terms of wildlife, Tanzania wins —
hands down. The density and diversity of animals in this huge country is phenomenal,
almost guaranteeing a life-changing experience. In fact, it is known to have the largest
concentration of animals per square kilometer in the world. It is also a prime cheetah
country with one of the largest concentration of large predators in the world; a country
endowed with unique animals like tree-climbing lions and several highly-endangered ones
like the African wild dogs.
For birdlife, both countries offer a world-class birdwatching experience. Tanzania has over
1,000 bird species recorded while Kenya has an impressive 1,135 bird species.
THE GREAT MIGRATION
Do you know that the Great Migration, otherwise known as the Wildebeest Migration or
Serengeti National Park Migration, is an annual event that draws millions and millions of
tourists each year? It is the world’s largest inland animal movement that happens all
throughout the year in nowhere else but Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Masai
Mara National Reserve in Kenya.
Calling it the largest animal movement is not an overstatement. The Great Migration exhibits
over two million wildebeests alongside hundreds and thousands of zebras and gazelles that
travel together in a search for better grazing. Naturally, many predators remain at large —
lions, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs and crocodiles being the top five. So not only will you be
able to see a spectacular amount of wild animals in one place, but you will also have lots of
opportunities to witness action-packed dramas of predator vs prey and even predator vs
predator! No wonder this particular event is deemed the Seventh Natural Wonder of Africa
and the “Greatest Show on Earth.”
In Kenya, you can find the herds in the Mara plains around August to October but the mega
herds start to cross the Mara River around July. Since the river crossing happens between
Serengeti and Mara, visitors in either park can take the front-row seats to this major event.
By the end of October or early November, the herds start to move out from the already
barren Masai Mara plains and head back to Serengeti in Tanzania where they spend the
rest of the months until July when the herds start to cross the Mara River again.
INTERNATIONAL ACCESS
Both Kenya and Tanzania hold several international flights from many parts of the world.
However, Kenya has notably more flights available which means airfare is also cheaper.
Some visitors to Tanzania even opt to fly from their country of departure to Nairobi in Kenya
and then just take a connecting flight to Tanzania as this is usually the cheaper option.
If you come from New York, the average flight duration to Nairobi is 17 hours. If you come
from the UK, a direct flight will take about 8.5 hours and if you come from Australia, it will be
15.5 hours. Of course, flight duration will depend on how many stopovers you have and how
long each stop will take.
Going to Tanzania is the same. Stopovers greatly affect the schedule. On average, flights
from New York to DAR take 19 hours and 20 minutes; from the UK to DAR, 11 hours; and
from Oz to DAR, about 15 hours. You also have the option to fly to Arusha if you’re planning
to visit the northern circuit safaris first. Note that this route may be more expensive and not
as many flights compared to Dar and Nairobi.
CROWDS
This factor has already been covered but still needs a special space. Since both countries
are world-renowned safari destinations, tourist influx should be expected especially during
peak months. Since Kenya offers more lodges, camps and hotels plus plane tickets are
relatively cheaper, crowds are thicker here. You can even experience being surrounded by
many other vehicles while on a safari.
Tanzania, although considerably more expensive, guarantees more exclusivity as a number
of lodges, hotels, and camps are limited and most parks are huge.
TOP ATTRACTIONS
We all know that both Kenya and Tanzania are abound with world treasures. With different
national parks being radically different from one another, here are Kenya’s and Tanzania’s
finest attractions:
KENYA:
● 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Fort Jesus, Mombasa, Lamu Old Town, Sacred
Mijikenda Kaya Forests, Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley, Lake Turkana
National Parks, Mount Kenya National Park, Thimlich Ohinga Cultural Landscape
● Masai Mara National Reserve
● Amboseli National Park
● Lake Nakuru National Park
● Aberdare National Park
● Mount Kenya
● Diani Beach
● 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Songo Mnara, Mount Kilimanjaro National Park,
Stone Town, Serengeti National Park, Selous Game Reserve, Kilwa Kisiwani,
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
● Serengeti National Park
● Ngorongoro Conservation Area
● Selous Game Reserve
● Lake Manyara National Park
● Mount Kilimanjaro
● Zanzibar
OTHER SAFARIS
There are safaris beyond the iconic game drives that you can enjoy, too. Kenya has a
wealth of private conservancies that not only lets you enjoy a more exclusive safari but also
other activities including horseback riding, guided nature walks, and night game drives.
These private conservancies are usually parts of the Masai Mara ecosystem. Laikipia,
Motorogi and Lewa Conservancies are some of the top ones in the country.
In Tanzania, wildlife safaris have been a hit that has made a resounding noise
internationally. But did you know that primate safari are available in Tanzania, too? In the
western region of the country lies national parks that welcome you to a visit to chimpanzees
and other unique primates. Not to mention the view that the western circuit provides,
covering Africa’s largest lake, Lake Victoria.
UNFORGETTABLE, NEVERTHELESS.
Any safari to either Kenya and Tanzania would be an adventure beyond your wildest
dreams, whether you’re an avid safari-goer or a first-timer. If you’re keen on having that
exclusive feeling and spending a bit more cash is no issue, Tanzania is definitely perfect for
you. But if you have a certain budget and still aim for that wonderful safari experience (not to
mention Nairobi has perfect day trip spots which include a safari wilderness in the city), you
should head to Kenya. Of course, one major factor you need to consider is WHEN you’re
going to visit. Ideally, Kenya gets most votes in October since wildebeest herds are
gathered in its plains. For November to March, Tanzania has an edge because of the
phenomenal calving season in Southern Serengeti. On other months which are April
through September, both Kenya and Tanzania are spectacular. Plus, accommodation
options in either country are superb — from hotels in the city to hotel-style lodges in parks to
luxury tented camps in the wild! So given this point-by-point comparison of the top 2 safari
destinations in the world, it’s definitely safe to say that whether you go to Kenya or
Tanzania, your safari would be undeniably unforgettable, nonetheless.
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