Kenya and Tanzania make part of the East Africa and by extension the larger east African community. This two safari destinations boasts of some of the best wildlife reserves and conservancies in East Africa. For a first time or a seasoned safari traveler, you can never get enough of the two. Both countries has spectacular attractions and special sightings in addition to the variety of terrain and lovely landscape while staying at the various safari lodges that are placed to suits the needs of each traveler.
Kenya and Tanzania safaris make a great combination travel package. Africa is a bucket list destination for many and therefore if the pocket allows it is always better to kill two birds with one stone. However if you are cash strained then you can choose to go to Kenya or Tanzania depending on your safari interests and budgets. Both locations are great and with a varieties of wildlife species, however the question still remains, which is better? We take point to point considerations to help you evaluate and choose the best safari destination that will favor you.
Accessibility to Kenya or Tanzania
Both Kenya and Tanzania enjoy a good number of international flights. Most travelers coming for a Kenya or Tanzania safari have planned this for a long time. They use connecting flights that come through a number of cities in Europe or UAE. Direct flights are available too but quite on the higher sides in terms of costs. Locally, the clients can connect to the various wildlife destinations in Kenya or Tanzania through the local flight operators. From Nairobi to Arusha it will take you only 4 hours by road via the Namanga border. If you are going through the Sirare border if coming from Maasai mara, the drive takes you around 7 Hours. However this time is spend enjoying the views which in actual sense take you through the extended conservation areas that surrounding areas that connect the Maasai mara and Serengeti. By flight, the time becomes shorter as most of them take one hour. The views above are spectacular as you take in the beauty of the rugged plains and the Great Rift Valley below.
Scenery and physical features
It is always hard to compare the different scenery in Kenya and Tanzania as both are beautiful and eye catching in equal measure. Both countries enjoy a similar kind of climate where we experience heavy rains in the highlands and tropical sunny climates in the beach. The varied attractions and physical features are spread across the regions. You may think that they have been shared equally. For example while we have the highest freestanding mountain in Tanzania, The Kilimanjaro, Kenya boasts of the snow peaked Mt Kenya, perfectly located in the Kenya highlands and on the equator. The Great Rift Valley cuts across the tow countries with beautiful dormant volcanic features lining the valley in addition to the rift valley lakes, gorges and expansive plains. However it is good to note that Tanzania is huge and very large compared to Kenya. Serengeti National Park is many times bigger than they Masai mara National Reserve though they share the same ecosystem. This is to mean that despite the size, you will experience the similarity in wildlife sightings on your safari to Kenya or Tanzania. Northern Kenya is dry country and remote, however it has some of the best photogenic scenarios around. From the red colored lake in Kapedo, the largest desert lake- Jade Sea or Lake Turkana, to the Lake longipi where thousands of flamingos breed. It is also home to the Chalbi desert and the sand dunes in Marsabit not to mention the cradle of mankind. The south is more of the game reserves and conservancies in a addition to the rift valley lakes. In Tanzania, the north is most visited. This is because it is home to the most popular Tanzania safari itineraries. The locations here include the great lakes including Lake Natron and Lake Manyara. The cliffs on the Manyara escarpments and view’s points offer breathtaking views of the Great Rift Valley. The Olduvai Gorge is the cradle of mankind. Ol donyo Lengai is the recently most active volcano located in the south of Lake Natron which is a breeding site for flamingos. Kilimanjaro stands in its beauty with the snow peaks and attracts a huge number of intrepid travelers to Tanzania. The Mt is very close to the city and contributes highly to the chilly weather in Arusha town. The highlands boasts of fertile lands a plus for the farmers in Tanzania.
Wildlife safari destinations in Kenya and Tanzania.
Kenya and Tanzania enjoy a variety of habitats and thus it’s quite hard to compare the wildlife destinations here. However each has the most common and visited areas which are popular with the tourists. For starters the Masai mara Serengeti ecosystem is a must visit for anyone in pursuit of the wildebeest migration. It is good to note that the migration is an annual cycle of movement where the herbivores migrate with the rains in search of green grass. However we have resident wildebeests in both areas and can be seen all year round. Calving season happens in the months of February in the Ndutu plains. Here the calves are born in synchrony thus giving them a higher chance for survival. During the moths of May and June the migratory herds start making their way across the Grumeti River in the Serengeti. They head north and in the months of July, august and September they can been seen migrating in their thousands in the Maasai mara making way across the mighty mara river. The sequence starts all over again when they head back in to the Serengeti from Mid-October to November. While the tree climbing lions are common in Lake Manyara, same behavior can be observed in Lake Nakuru in Kenya. Both lakes experience flocks of flamingos depending on the water levels. The large elephants herds experienced in the Tarangire national park in Tanzania share a similarity with the Amboseli national park in Kenya. The gigantic baobabs in Tarangire can be seen in Kenya at the Tsavo National park. While Kenya’s enjoy a rescue and rehabilitation chimpanzee sanctuary at the Olpajeta conservancy, the western parks of Gombe national park enjoy hosting this primates in their natural habitat. The Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania is home to the big five and the largest caldera in the wild. In Kenya, Olpejeta conservancy is a place very close to Nairobi that you can see all the big five, home to rescued chimpanzees and a rhino sanctuary for the only remaining northern rhino species. Laikipia plateau in Kenya is the newest wildlife safari destination after the Maasai mara. The areas is a result of conservation efforts by various stake holders and therefore making it a prime safari destination in Kenya. This area is home to some of the most luxurious lodges in Kenya. Mwiba conservancy, Singita Grumeti and Loliondo conservation area are some of the conservancies in Tanzania that you can experience the same feel. Conservancies offer you exclusive game viewing opportunities, Luxury facilities and private stays away from the touristic crowds. While Kenya boasts of having Diani beach which has been voted the best beach location in Africa, Tanzania is home to Zanzibar Island, a world UNESCO heritage site and a spice island. Southern Tanzania is home to some of the most remote wildlife safari areas. Ruaha and Mikumi national parks, Selous and udzugwa game reserves are vast and home to some of the rare wildlife species in Tanzania. You can also engage in wild safari walks and boat riding in the rivers. This southern parks are uncrowded and areas that you can experience exclusive safari activities. The Kenyan northern frontier is exclusive with adventure activities which include quad biking, camel riding, horseback safaris and fly camping. Birding safaris in Kenya and Tanzania are a spectacle with both countries having recorded over 1000 bird species. Comparing Kenya and Tanzania can be difficult, both win and it can be quite hard to decide your preferred safari destinations.
Accommodations and Kenya & Tanzania safari safari cost.
The costs of your safari depends mainly on time of travel, number of people traveling and the number of days that you would like to stay. As earlier mentioned, both countries share a lot of similar habitats therefore either of the two can suite your budget. However traveling during the peak season can be expensive. Peak season is usually between June and September in Both Kenya and Tanzania while the high season is between January and March. In April most of the camps close in both destinations because of the heavy rains. Please inquire about your camp of choice for proper planning. Low season is in the month of May to beginning of June where you can travel at very low costs. Traveling as a group makes the costs cheaper as you share them within the group participants. However it may be hurdle if everyone has their unique interest since you all go to the same destinations where not everyone will necessarily want to go out on game-drives or in search of animals. Group travel is highly recommended for family safaris or friends traveling together. Park entrance fees, accommodation and transport are calculated per night and therefore the more the number of nights the more the costs. It is also good to note that accommodation located outside the parks and reserves is usually less expensive than the ones located inside the park. However staying within the park enables you to maximize on the game viewing opportunities as you do not have to drive long distances in search of wildlife. You are free to choose your accommodation of choice if you are going on a customized Kenya Tanzania safari. For scheduled and group departures accommodation is already chosen and outlined. Both of this safari destinations in east Africa have a variety of accommodation options. From the simple under canvas tents, safari lodges, exotic beach resorts to exclusive villas and private camps, the costs depend on what you choose.
Cultures, food and the people.
Without a doubt Kenya and Tanzania have the most hospitable people in the region. Guests have a wonderful time mingling with the locals and learning the local languages. Kiswahili is the national language in Tanzania while English is the common language in Kenya. Locals in Tanzania have diversified and picked English and therefore it is now easy to communicate as the safari guides use English and have even diversified to other languages. Kenyan guides have diversified in language and its not hard o find a multilingual guide. The Maasai in this two countries have maintained their cultures and share a lot of similarities. From their customary marriage practices to the rights of passage, their regalia and decorative beads, they remain one of the most known and visited tribes. In Tanzania cultures is diverse and it enjoys a mix of more than 120 cultures. They still have the hunters and the gatherers Hazabe tribe who live around Lake Eyasi and the Datoga blacksmiths. In Kenya there are only 42 of which only the pastoralists have been known to conserve and practice their cultures in the open. This are the Maasai, Samburu, Turkana and Njemps. The Swahili people who are found at the coastal areas of these two countries have one thing in common, they loved spiced food and are in no hurry to do something. Different cultures loves their different staple food but in both countries, maize meals accompanied by green vegetables is a staple food loved by all. However the lodges and safari camps have different menus which are continental. Rest assured of a perfect stay as you will be familiar with most of the foods served here. On African theme nights, they throw in a delicacy or two from the African cultures for you to sample. This is such a great way of cultural immersions sharing an experience with the local community.
Kenya and Tanzania share a lot d similarities and also have small features that make them distinct in their own special way. We hope to see you on safari in Kenya or Tanzania and share this biodiversity with you. Get in touch with our local safari expert for more expertise guidance on where your next Kenya & Tanzania safari leads to.
