A safari vacation in East Africa will be a life-changing experience. Making this decision will be one of the best moments, defined by a trip of self-discovery, exploration, and reconnection with mother nature. However, deciding to go on a safari in East Africa is only the beginning. It would help if you considered many factors when choosing the ideal safari for you. Tanzania and Kenya offer adventurous and exciting safari destinations globally. Although it may be overwhelming to plan the trip, you first need to choose the trip according to your requirements. We have outlined some critical things to consider when determining whether Kenya or Tanzania is the ideal safari destination for you.
Tanzania
Tanzania, in comparison to Kenya, is a much larger country and offers many different options and choices for safaris. Furthermore, Tanzania offers more biodiversity, providing many opportunities to explore and engage with different species. Furthermore, although the Great Migration takes place in Kenya (Masai Mara) and Tanzania (Serengeti National Park), the herds spend more time in Tanzania. You will witness and experience the Great Migration in more months than you would in Kenya, providing you with more flexibility when planning your trip.
Apart from these advantages, Tanzania’s safari destinations are less crowded than Kenya’s. More visitors prefer Kenya because the packages are cheaper. Tanzania also boasts a more significant number of tourist attractions for your post-safari visits than Kenya.
The accommodations in Tanzania tend to be costlier. Tanzania has fewer hotels and accommodations, making it difficult to find lodgings during peak seasons. The overall safari packages are also slightly more expensive. In addition to this, Tanzania has more protected areas, meaning that you may have to pay entry fees or daily rates to stay in particular locations. Apart from entry tickets, some of the National Parks and game reserves are huge, sometimes making it difficult for game viewing. Because the wildlife is more spread out, finding the animals you want to explore may take more time.
Kenya
Although it may seem that Tanzania has the upper hand when it comes to safaris, Kenya is a more developed country with more resources and infrastructure. Kenya is a much safer destination for tourists as the country has focused on developing its tourism industry. The country offers more diversity when it comes to choosing accommodations and has much more budget-friendly and affordable options than Tanzania.
Even though we have mentioned Tanzania’s superiority in biodiversity, it does not mean that Kenya has little to offer when it comes to wildlife. You will encounter an array of exotic wildlife, and game viewing may be easier because the national parks are smaller
Tanzania may provide you with a more significant time frame to enjoy the Great Migration, but most of the action takes place in Kenya during the Mara River crossing.
Final Thoughts
Kenya may be a more budget-friendly option with better infrastructure for tourism and easily accessible national parks with better opportunities to see wildlife. However, given that Kenya is a more popular destination, safaris tend to be overcrowded.
Tanzania is a much more expensive destination with vast safaris, more biodiversity, and the safaris are not as crowded. Accommodations may be limited, so you must make sure you book everything in advance.
With this knowledge, you can pick the country best suited for your needs. You may also want to read 8 Things to Know Before you Visit the Maasai Mara before finalizing your destination.
