Kenya vs Tanzania – which offers the better African safari?
The two countries where you can see the Great Wildlife Migration are Kenya and Tanzania. To help you decide which one to visit, we look at considerations like cost, safety, accessibility, crowds and more!
Both Kenya and Tanzania host the Great Migration and both are epic safari destinations. EPIC.
Kenyan vs Tanzanian safaris
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Kenya and Tanzania on the map
Pros of Kenyan safaris
Easier international access Quicker access to game parks Better tourism infrastructure Cheaper safaris
1. Easier international access
Kenya's biggest and best game parks can be reached far quicker and more cheaply than their Tanzanian counterparts.
Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport, and then embark on an eight-hour drive to get to southern Serengeti. Fly into Arusha Airport and do a nearly seven-hour drive to get to southern Serengeti. Fly into Nairobi and drive across the border (which means having an East African visa versus just a Tanzanian one). This usually takes about five hours, but depends on how long you spend at the border.
2. Quicker access to game parks
3. Better tourism infrastructure
4. Cheaper safaris
Pros of Tanzanian safaris
A safer country overall More animals Fewer visitors A longer Great Migration window More iconic natural landmarks
1. Tanzania: A safer country overall
2. More animals
Tanzania has around 4 million wild animals!
3. Fewer visitors
4. A longer Great Migration window
Kenya has a far shorter Great Migration window: roughly July to October. In Tanzania you can see the herds throughout the year.
Thank you Kazi and the whole crew at Follow Alice for the wonderful experience! From the pick-up moment to the very end we had a great time, saw so much and got immersed into the real safari experience. Kazi, our guide and driver, was extremely knowledgable and shared with us so many interesting facts!!
5. More iconic natural landmarks
Mt Kilimanjaro Ngorongoro Crater Zanzibar
Mt Kilimanjaro
Ngorongoro Crater
Zanzibar
Stone Town. Centuries of maritime trade with the Middle East and India has resulted in a fascinating mix of foreign cultures and languages with the local ones. The archaeology, architecture and culture of Stone Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) all point to this rich history. A spicy cuisine. The food of Zanzibar reflects its multicultural history and proximity to the sea. Some of the famous dishes to try include Zanzibar pizza (a savoury crêpe), octopus dishes, mishkaki (meat skewers) and mandazi ('Swahili doughnuts').
Beautiful beaches. The white-sand beaches of Zanzibar's islands are lapped gently by the clear, warm waters of the Indian Ocean. The activities here are many, from the relaxing end of the spectrum (sunbathing and paddling) to the highly active (waterskiing and parasailing). Incredible marine life. Zanzibar has some of the world's best coral reefs and most diverse marine life. Snorkellers and divers are in for a real treat, while scuba divers will find themselves in heaven!
We love safaris in both countries!
At Follow Alice, we feel that both Tanzania and Kenya are perfect safari destinations!
Two countries, many things in common
A shared language (Swahili) and history A shared culture (Maasai) A shared Great Migration ecosystem Shared Mara River crossings A claim to having one of Africa's greatest game parks
1. Shared language and history
2. Maasai communities
3. Shared Great Wildlife Migration ecosystem
The animals are compelled to migrate by their need for the essentials of life: water and green pasture.
To go on an African safari has been on my bucket list for so long, and it didn’t disappoint! It is by far the best adventure I have ever been on.
4. Shared Mara River crossings
5. A claim to having one of Africa's greatest game parks
Pair an East Africa safari with a mountain climb or gorilla trek
This is something we do all the time at Follow Alice – take clients on a Kilimanjaro climb and then whisk them away on a safari afterwards!
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