Kenya or Tanzania for Safari? Which is Better
Kenya or Tanzania for safari is a question most will encounter when planning or looking to visit East Africa.
Choosing where to travel for your wildlife safari holiday is challenging. Kenya and Tanzania undoubtedly have the best wildlife and scenic opportunities in the world. We will take you through some factors to consider, highlights for each destination, and some of the advantages Kenya or Tanzania would have over the other.
Cost of the Safari
One main factor before embarking on a safari is the related cost of the safari. This cost would be the flights and price of the safari in total. For the average mid-level safari, Kenya is considered cheaper than Tanzania. The conservation fees and taxes in Kenya are lower than in Tanzania. The park entry fee impacts the overall cost of the safari, making Kenya a better-priced destination. However, I suggest you opt for the Luxury safari. In that case, both goals have their fair share of varied options for the discerned traveler.
Ease of connectivity
Another critical factor is the ease of access to the country. However, Kenya has better connectivity and flight options coming into Nairobi for Safari. Quite an array of direct flights from all over the world into Kenya makes Nairobi and Kenya a hub of connectivity into the region. In Tanzania, most safaris are in northern Tanzania, with the airport of entry being Kilimanjaro international airport in Arusha. Fewer direct flights into Arusha make connectivity into Tanzania for safari slightly more costly for the safari seeker.
Kilimanjaro Airport Arusha Tanzania
Infrastructure
When planning a safari, one significant factor to consider is and has always been how to choose the National parks and reserves. You can start your safari from Nairobi or Mombasa to any of the national parks in Kenya. From Nairobi, there is an okay asphalt connection to the national reserves of Kenya. There are also scheduled flights to all the major national parks and reserves.
There are two safari capitals in Tanzania. Arusha is the main entrance town to the famous Northern parks of Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. From Dar es Salaam there is also a good road network to the southern national parks of Selous, Mikumi, and Ruaha. Tanzania has easy flight access to all major national parks and reserves.
Wildlife Viewing Experience
Tanzania and Kenya both have excellent wildlife viewing and safari experience. Tanzania has the edge over Kenya regarding size and pristine wildlife areas. Take, for example, the Serengeti and Masai Mara. The Serengeti is about ten times the size of the Masai Mara. Serengeti makes for a more expansive and spread-out game viewing than the Masai Mara, which is smaller. Due to the extensive nature of the Serengeti, the Wildebeest Migration stays here virtually almost all year. The wildebeest are in the Serengeti for ten months a year. The Masai Mara on the other hand, hosts the migration for three months during the August to September season. Both countries have similar wildlife species.
Accommodations
Tanzania has a better variety and more advanced accommodation options for travel. From roughing it up to the top luxury, Tanzania beats Kenya hands down. Another exciting aspect is the availability of mobile tented camps that move with the wildlife migration in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro conservation areas. If you are an adventure lover and have an eye for wild camping, these mobile camps offer you the perfect option for getting close to nature. Kenya does have both mid-tier and luxury accommodations. The camping option needs to be better represented, though there are camping grounds in all parks and reserves in Kenya.
Culture
Kenya and Tanzania have rich, diverse cultural representations. The Masai nomadic tribes are present in both countries. You will find the Maasai north of Tanzania and also in Kenya towards the border with Kenya and Tanzania. In Kenya, you will also find sub-tribes of the Maa-speaking people. These are the Samburu and Njemps. There are other nomadic tribes found north of Kenya and Cushitic people as you drive further north. These are tribes like the Gabra and Borana who live around the arid areas towards Marsabit.
In Tanzania, other tribes have kept their traditions, i.e., the Datoga and Hadzabe, found close to the Ngorongoro highlands. Tanzania comprises a more extensive tribe base with over 120 different cultures, while Kenya comprises about 42 indigenous tribes.
Mountains
Tanzania and Kenya host two of the tallest mountains in Africa. The Kilimanjaro, at 5895 Metres Above Sea Level, is located in Tanzania, straddling the Kenya-Tanzania border. Though Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania, it can also be viewed from Amboseli and Tsavo in Kenya since it sits at the edge. In Kenya, Mount Kenya sits at 5199 Meters ASL. Kilimanjaro is one of the most visited mountains in Africa. Most travelers hike Kilimanjaro due to the ease of ascending and the thrill of being on the highest point in Africa.
Mount Kenya is different and will need more technical skills due to the flat rock face required to reach the peak.
Landscape
Kenya and Tanzania both have very scenic landscapes. With both countries traversed by the Great Rift Valley, this makes for incredible scenery when driving between the parks and conservation areas. One unique attraction found in Tanzania is the Ngorongoro Crater. The Ngorongoro Crater is unique and a great experience and views driving into and out of the crater. The Ngorongoro Carter is a collapsed caldera rich in wildlife.
In Kenya, you also see some very scenic landscapes towards Northern Kenya. The Suguta Valley is an arid Northern vast desert and rocky terrain. The Tsavo West is also one of the most picturesque parks, blending recent volcanic activity and abundant wildlife. Another scenic attraction is the Laikipia and Samburu areas which are fiercely beautiful.
Tanzania & Kenya Beach Holidays
Kenya and Tanzania have some of the best white and pristine sandy beaches in the world. Both countries have superb resorts and beaches, from the White sands of Diani to the tropical spice island of Zanzibar.
Zanzibar in Tanzania is set some 60 kilometers off Dar Es Salaam. It has incredible beach resorts to unwind while enjoying the African sun and marine life. Some other islands are also close to Zanzibar, i.e., Mnemba Island and Mafia Island, which is well known for Whale shark viewing.
On the other hand, Kenya has some great beaches, i.e.; Diani Beach voted among the best beaches in the world, is a not to miss stop at the Kenya Coast. Other beaches of interest include Lamu Island, Watamu, and Malindi Beach.
In Conclusion
Kenya and Tanzania top the list of favorite safari destinations for travel to East Africa. Either choice of both countries is sure to provide a thrilling safari experience. It is also possible to combine both countries and select a beach destination in either country. There is a unique attraction in Kenya and Tanzania that a combination of both can only experience. However, either would offer you an exhilarating wildlife safari experience.
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