DISCOVER AFRICA
Kenya vs Tanzania – Which One is Best for a Safari?
Kenya vs Tanzania – Which One is Best for a Safari?: Kenya and Tanzania are East Africa’s top safari destinations for African safaris and trying to decide which country offers the best African safari experiences can be quite difficult, as both countries thrive with enthralling safari tourist attractions. Since the 1980s, Kenya and Tanzania have forged the concept of African wildlife safaris with thousands of wildlife species roaming diverse terrains ringed by vast rolling savannahs, lush valleys traversed by rivers, streams, crater lakes, and towering mountains.
Although the best option would be exploring both countries, this is not always practical given the time and money required to tour two countries; as well as the plethora of tourist attractions to choose from. Being East Africa’s top safari destinations, both countries offer authentic wildlife viewings and their people are very welcoming. So, if you just have a week or so to go on safari and are wondering what the difference is between Kenya and Tanzania, we will provide you with a guide to help choose between the two impressive East African Safari Destinations;
Kenya vs Tanzania – Location and Landscape
Located in the East African Province, both Kenya, and Tanzania are neighbors and share the common borders of the Indian Ocean and the world’s third-largest lake – Lake Victoria. Kenya and Tanzania also share an extensive region which consists of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. This portion constitutes the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem, one of the world’s largest and most protected ecosystems, spanning over 30 000 square kilometers (12 000 square miles). The Serengeti and Masai Mara comprise one contiguous ecosystem that has been intentionally ‘split’ by people and there is no physical border, so animals may migrate freely as they always have, though humans must pass via checkpoints.
Kenya’s terrain encompasses vast fertile plains in the west, highlands in the central, and breathtaking sandy beaches on the coast. The country experiences two climate seasons that is the wet and dry seasons; with the major wet season lasting from April to June and the dry season lasting from December to March. However, there is also a mini-wet season in November and December, as well as a mini-dry season from July to October. Temperatures in Kenya range between 20°C to 28°C, with the coast being the hottest spot in the country.
On the other hand, Tanzania is more like Kenya except it is almost twice bigger. Tanzania is endowed with verdant hills in its north and south, the coastline in the east, and plains and plateaus in the west. Tanzania’s temperatures range between 24°C to 28°C. Like Kenya, Tanzania’s coastline region is tropical but the inland is not desert, but rather moderate. The major rainy season lasts from March to May, whereas the main dry season lasts from June to October. More so, the shorter wet season occurs in November and December, whereas the short dry season occurs in January and February.
Kenya vs Tanzania – Wildlife Sightings
Both Kenya and Tanzania are recognized for their vast savannahs and superb grasslands that provide plenty of grazing and hunting land for both grazers and predators. The Serengeti-Mara ecosystem provides a 270-degree view of the horizon, making it one of the most convenient locations in the world to view animals including the famous African Big Five (rhino, lion, leopard, buffalo, and elephant). The Serengeti-Mara region is also the setting for the Annual Great Wildebeest Migration, a two-million-strong movement of wildebeest, joined by a few hundred thousand antelope and zebra in search of water and new pasture.
Near the Serengeti, Tanzania boasts the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest volcanic caldera. Explore Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak, and Mt. Meru, another of East Africa’s spectacular summits, is located only to the southwest. Tanzania’s west still has dense indigenous including the Mahale Mountains National Park popular for chimpanzee trekking. Other destinations to visit include Ruaha National Park, Nyerere National Park, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Arusha National Park, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, and Dar-es-salaam – the effective capital of the nation located on its coast and Zanzibar still on the coast, etc.
In Kenya, we have Masai Mara, the country’s most popular park which offers all kinds of animal and bird sightings, and Lake Nakuru, located beyond the Masai Mara, is notable for its flocks of flamingos that stand on its waters. The north of Kenya, around Samburu which is drier and hillier thrives with rare species such as the ‘Samburu Special 5’ (Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk (giraffe gazelle), and Grevy’s zebra). On the other hand, Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest peak, Mount Elgon, Lake Naivasha, Tsavo National Park, and Amboseli National Park, among many others. Nairobi which is also home to Nairobi National Park is the country’s capital and Mombasa, a port city on the coast, provides a unique Swahili cultural experience. It is also the epicenter of gorgeous coastal vacation destinations, like Diani Beach.
Kenya vs Tanzania – Infrastructural Development
Getting around while visiting either Kenya, Tanzania, or even both is an important factor to be considered when planning an African safari. First of all, both countries are safe to visit and are accessible. However, in terms of infrastructural development, Kenya’s economy is more developed compared to Tanzania with developed transport links and a variety of accommodation facilities. Kenya features more than six international airports including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, Moi International Airport, Mombasa, Eldoret, and Kisumu International Airports, as well as several airstrips that connect to all safari parks and reserves in the country. The road network is good and several means including taxis, users, private car hires, matatus, and buses can be used. Kenya also has a good network of trains linking the various cities and towns.
On the other hand, Tanzania has three international airports including Kilimanjaro International Airport which is the most popular among tourists, and Julius Nyerere International Airport which connects to Dar-es-salaam and the coastline. Trains and flights are the most convenient way of getting around in Tanzania; nonetheless, transport networks are not as dependable as in Kenya. Due to the availability of a variety of options in Kenya, transport fares including flight tickets, bus fares, etc., are cheaper compared to Tanzania.
When it comes to accommodation, there are plenty of options offered in both Kenya and Tanzania from budget campsites to luxury glitzy hotels and lodges with private decks for wildlife viewing. Nonetheless, Tanzania tends to be more expensive and with limited options compared to Kenya. This is because Kenya is more developed and thus boasts a better tourism infrastructure: the roads are better, there are more hotels and safari lodges, train services are effective, and exchanging foreign currency is easier too.
Even so, tourists cannot fail to find where to stay while on a safari in any of the two countries. Both countries have international airports which makes them easily accessible to international tourists and getting around in both countries is possible. However, if you are visiting East Africa solo, Kenya is arguably the preferable choice.
Kenya vs Tanzania – Safari Cost
Both Kenya and Tanzania offer fantastic off-season rates, however, if you are a budget traveler, a Kenya safari is likely to be more affordable. Kenya’s infrastructural development puts it in a position to offer more flights and more types of lodging. Of course, this is dependent on when you go, with rates rising during the peak season, which is mostly dictated by the rainy and dry seasons, as well as the time of the Great Wildebeest Migration. Moreover, Tanzania is larger than Kenya, and its national parks and reserves are more dispersed. As a result, fuel expenses and the utilization of internal aircraft to go throughout the country can both raise your safari cost. Tanzania’s taxes and levies on park admission fees, etc., are also hefty. Overall, there is no maximum limit to what you may book in either country whether a budget, mid-range, or luxury safari. Nonetheless, Kenya is a more affordable safari destination.
Kenya vs Tanzania – Culture
Kenya and Tanzania have a varied range of cultural manifestations. With 42 tribes, Kenya’s population is largely dominated by the Bantu tribe, although the Masaai nomadic tribes are the most popular. The Masaai are present in both countries. In Tanzania, the Masaai can be found in the north. Other tribes in Kenya include the Samburu people, sub-tribes of the Maa-speaking people, and the Swahili culture at the coast. Kenyan culture is family-oriented and kind, yet quiet, unlike other cultures in Western countries. Moreover, the country’s music, dancing, and clothes are filled with the country’s diverse cultural elements.
Tanzania has cultural heritage is more diverse. The country is home to 20 tribes and its popular tribes include the Masaai, Datoga, Hadzabe, and the Swahili culture born from the influence of Arab, British, and German influences. However, the majority of Tanzanians are Muslim and there is no monolithic Christian culture unlike in Kenya.
Kenya vs Tanzania – Food
When it comes to food, both countries will deliver the best cuisine experiences. Ugali, a paste-like flatbread produced from millet or cornmeal is a staple food in both countries. It is usually served with different stews made from various meat and vegetables. On the coast, coconut milk and coconut rice are the popular dishes. Grilled meats (nyama choma), cooked sweet potato leaves, pumpkin leaves, or cassava leaves comparable to collard greens, are all available in both countries as well.
The only variance between Kenya cuisine and Tanzania cuisine is that when it comes to Tanzanian cuisine, spices play a significant major role. This is due to the Indian influence on the country and curry is a popular food, especially fiery flavored fish and coconut curries.
Kenya Safari vs Tanzania Safari in Summary
| Kenya Safari | Tanzania Safari | |
|---|---|---|
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
| Prices | Varies based on park, accommodation, and package. Generally, mid-range to high-end safari packages. | Relatively lower prices compared to Kenya. Offers a range of budget to high-end safari options. |
| Access to National Parks | Good road and air connectivity to major national parks and reserves. | Road and air access to popular parks, although travel distances can be longer. |
| Quality of Accommodation | Offers a mix of budget, mid-range, and luxury lodges and tented camps. | A wide range of accommodation options, including budget campsites, mid-range lodges, and luxury tented camps. |
In conclusion, Kenya and Tanzania are both worth visiting for an African safari and can both be combined. However, the decision comes back to you as you plan on which country to visit; putting into consideration the above factors. Both countries can offer fantastic game viewing including the Great Annual Wildebeest Migration sightings and African Big Five sightings. Also, both countries are safe to visit, accessible, and affordable, depending on your budget.
