In a world where adventure is abounding, wanderlust is epidemic and choices are confounding, the decision on where to go for an African safari must be one of the hardest dilemmas. Kenya or Tanzania? Where to go if you can only choose one safari destination?
With both countries featuring extraordinary landscapes, beautiful climate, amazing culture, sensational game viewing and different aspects of the iconic Great Migration that defy comparison, how do you choose between them?
Kenya vs Tanzania Facts and Figures
Scenery
Both Kenya and Tanzania are known to provide “real Africa” sceneries that are made up of golden grasslands that are dotted with flat-topped acacia trees. The African adventure vibe is also almost similar in these countries. But with a wide range of landscapes and wildlife habitats, keen Africa travelers might notice a difference.
Kenya mainly features highlands in the middle, sandy beaches on the coast, volcanic mountains and barren desert on the north, and fertile plains in the west. Tanzania, although almost twice the size larger, offers similar terrain diversity. It showcases highlands in the north and south, plains and plateaus along the west, and glorious long stretches of turquoise-colored waters, white sand beaches on the coast.
Wildlife
When it comes to wildlife, Kenya and Tanzania are splendid. They are neck and neck on this one. In fact, they constantly wind up at the lists of top countries for a safari each year.
Particularly known for the big cats, Kenya offers spectacular wildlife viewing most especially in Masai Mara, the forefront of Kenya’s safari tourism. Aside from the big cats, Kenya also holds the mighty Big Five as well as endangered animals like Rothschild’s Giraffe, black rhinos and Sitatunga. Aside from those wildlife that gained them international fame, Kenya also hosts a portion of the Wildebeest Migration every third quarter of the year.
On the other hand, Tanzania’s wildlife is also famous globally. And this is for good reason. Home of the iconic Wildebeest Migration, Tanzania hosts millions of wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, impalas and kudus. But beyond the already sensational wildlife display, Tanzania is also home to a phenomenal density and diversity of animals. Phenomenal enough that it is known to hold the largest concentration of animals per square kilometer in the world. It hosts the Big Five, the largest concentration of predators, and it also gives sanctuary to endangered animals like African wild dogs and black rhinos. So wildlife-wise? Tanzania nails it, no doubt.
Wildebeest Migration
The wildebeest migration is a seasonal journey that takes place across the wildlife-ridden plains of Serengeti in Tanzania and Masai Mara in Kenya. It involves over two million hooves, scampering across the savannas for better grazing and fresh water. The direction of this migration is affected by seasonal changes and time of the year, thereby directly deciding on which country offers the best safari experience at a particular time.
Between August and October, the migrating mega herds can mostly be seen around Kenya, consuming their fresh grasses in the Mara. Around July to August or even until September when the last herds traverse the crocodile-infested river, Masai Mara and Northern Serengeti are a spectacle.
By the end of October, the migrating herds head back to the southern region of Serengeti. Then for the rest of the months, they move across the Serengeti plains until July when they have to cross the Mara River again.
What’s even more astounding during this record-breaking animal movement is that it doesn’t only showcase a jaw-dropping amount of wildlife but also attracts magnificent predators — lions, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, crocodiles and hippos among many others. Hence, predator activities are ample, especially in Southern Serengeti around January to March when baby wildebeests are born.
The Wildebeest Migration, given all the drama and natural thrill it entails, is therefore named one of Africa’s Natural Wonders and even deemed “The Greatest Show on Earth.”
Crowds
The amount of visitors that each country receives vary depending on the time of year. The tourist influx, obviously, is at its peak during High Seasons. But with Kenya’s strong advertising and promotional schemes plus its cheaper air travel tickets, Kenya is known to be busier. Many of the parks in Kenya are also smaller and so, more people and vehicles are cramped in that space.
Tanzania, with massive parks, more animals spread out and less advanced infrastructure, offers more exclusivity. Most parks in Tanzania also limit the number of lodges and camps, which helps control mass tourism.
National Parks & Attractions
Both Kenya and Tanzania are blessed with an incredible list of stunning sights. Most of Kenya’s parks and reserves, compared to Tanzania, are more scattered and so most travelers take a charter plane to go from one park to another. In Tanzania, on the other hand, parks are closer to one another, especially in each Safari Circuit. Travelers, therefore, usually go on long game drives to visit one park to another.
Here are the top national parks and attractions in each country:
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
Tanzania:
- 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
Off-the-beaten tracks
For adventurous travelers who are keen on not following the proverbial tourist herd, off-the-beaten tracks are available in both Kenya and Tanzania. Private conservancies like Laikipia and Lewa as well as hidden gems like Samburu are great remote destinations in Kenya. Aside from the unique species you are guaranteed to spot, there are also tons of exciting activities you can do there – form guided nature walks to fly camping to horseback riding to off-roading.
Tanzania also has a string of off-the-beaten tracks: from the southern circuit parks including Ruaha, Mikumi, Saadani and the world-famous Selous, to the primate world in western Tanzania. Yes, “primate world”. You can meet chimpanzees and other primate mammals in that side of the country, most particularly in Mahale Mountains National Park and Gombe Stream National Park. But the west isn’t all just about the monkeys. If you fly to the wildly remote Katavi National Park, you will be stunned to see enormous herds of buffaloes and a highly untouched wildlife paradise.
Budget
More flights fly in and out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi in Kenya compared to Tanzania’s Dar and JRO. Due to intense competition, flights to Kenya are relatively cheaper. When it comes to accommodation, both countries offer a slew of options for every traveler. Accommodations in national parks are known to be cheaper in Kenya, given that competition is also more rampant. Tanzania parks limit lodges and camps and so you pay more for the exclusivity. But if you stay in their major cities like Nairobi in Kenya and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, hotels in Kenya are more expensive. For example, a 3-star hotel in Nairobi can cost you an average of 75 USD while a 3-star hotel in Dar is only about 45 USD.
Weather & Climate
Kenya and Tanzania share a border and sit along the Indian Ocean. So basically, both countries follow have the same climate which is composed of two seasons: wet and dry.
April through June is typically the wet season with April and May the wettest months. November and December also has “short rains”. Other months are dry seasons, with June to October as the driest.
In Kenya, the average temperature is between 20 and 28 °C. The coastal areas are hotter and more humid. Tanzania’s is very similar to that. Their average temperature is 24 to 28°C.
Takeaway
Like all great choices, there is no right or wrong here. The truth is, you can never go wrong with either of the two. If you want a better tourism infrastructure, with great nightlife in the city, temperate climate, a myriad of natural landmarks and a vibrant food scene, Kenya might be your best bet. But if you’re after a more tropical climate with massive wilderness, more animals, more iconic sights and gorgeous, dream-like beaches, head to Tanzania.
The huge factors in determining which country is best for your next safari adventure are the above-mentioned: scenery, wildlife, movement/activities of the Great Wildebeest Migration, crowds, parks and attractions you want to see, available off-the-beaten tracks that tickle your fancy, budget and of course, timing of your visit. You just need to weigh all factors, consider your priorities, preferences, budget and schedule, and you’re set to possibly the greatest adventure of your life!
