Which is better for an African safari, Tanzania or Kenya? Tanzania and Kenya are both top safari locations, so you can’t go wrong with either one. The safari originated in Kenya, but Tanzania also has amazing wildlife that transcends national boundaries, highly skilled safari operators, first-rate infrastructure, and a wide variety of East African landscapes.

1. Wildlife

The same is true for wildlife and scenery. When it comes to the traditional safari animal experience, there is no difference between the two nations. Big cats, the Big Five, and a variety of prey and herd animals, including zebras, giraffes, and wildebeest, are all abundant in Kenya and Tanzania. Tanzania typically has larger populations of elephants and big cats, while Kenyan parks are often smaller and have a lot less kilometers between them.

Naturally, there are variations when you look a little closer by zooming in. From wildlife (the Somali ostrich is a traditional safari favorite) to desert-adapted mammals like the gerenuk, Beisa oryx, and Grevy’s zebra, Kenya’s dry zone is home to a wide variety of desert specialists. However, Tanzania must be the place for forest creatures. The finest spot to see chimpanzees and many other primate species in Africa is Tanzania. Compared to Kenya, there are also a lot more opportunities for birdwatchers to witness forest birds here.

2. The Great Migration

When deciding whether to watch the Great Migration in Kenya or Tanzania, timing is crucial. The migration typically occurs in the Tanzanian side of the border, in the Serengeti, from October to July or August, and in Kenya’s Masai Mara for the remainder of the year. That isn’t the complete tale, since we are discussing magnificently erratic wild creatures.

It can be challenging to pinpoint the exact times of year when you might expect to see the large herds of zebras, gazelles, and wildebeest (as well as the carnivores that hunt them) at any one time. This is the only thing that can be said with any degree of certainty. The migration spends more months in Tanzania throughout a typical year. Kenya typically has the most picturesque river crossings. In Kenya, the best viewpoints are typically more congested.

3. Landscape & Habitat

When it comes to the savannah grasslands that are a mainstay of the East African safari, Kenya and Tanzania are inseparable. Large herds of grazing mammals (and the predators that accompany them) in the Masai Mara and Serengeti don’t see much of a difference between the two, and neither will you. Both are unmatched, magnificent, and soul-stirring locations.

It’s hard to be dissatisfied beyond these two, from the plains of Tarangire to Amboseli in Kenya, and so many other locations in between. If you can, go to each one. Both Kenya and Tanzania feature some very unique high-altitude landscapes because of the Great Rift Valley and the escarpment that runs through the center of both nations.

Indeed, Kenya is home to the imposing Mount Kenya, and the Aberdares are unmatched in the world. Nakuru, Naivasha, Bogoria, and other lakes in the Rift Valley are excellent examples of the type. Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Meru, Ol Doinyo Lengai, Lake Natron, Ngorongoro, and the remainder of Tanzania’s Crater Highlands are difficult to surpass, though.

In that specific war, Kenya prevails if you prefer deserts. The arid splendor of Lake Turkana and its environs, as well as the pristine desert horizons, are unmatched in Tanzania’s far north. Wildlife found nowhere else in East Africa can be found in the dry and semi-arid interior of Kenya. This stretches as far south as Tsavo East National Park and from the northern deserts through Samburu National Reserve. Tanzania has a much higher chance of meeting your forest needs.

The last remaining rainforests that formerly covered the entire country from the Congo Basin in Central Africa are found in Kenya’s Kakamega Forest National Reserve, an anomaly. On the other hand, Tanzania’s far west is covered with dense, dark rainforests, particularly in the National Parks of the Gombe and Mahale Mountains.

4. The Ideal Time to Travel

The best seasons to visit Kenya and Tanzania are essentially the same, unless you intend to join the great migration (which necessitates careful planning; please see below). In both nations, the primary safari season lasts from late June until October.

No matter where you go, you can anticipate the best weather and wildlife viewing conditions throughout these months. In both nations, issues with rain and road conditions can arise from November to April or May. But keep in mind that during these months, birding is frequently very good.

5. Places to Stay

Excellent lodging options are available in Tanzania and Kenya, ranging from lodges and tented camps to hotels and guesthouses. Furthermore, based on potential lodging options, there is no compelling reason to pick one over the other. This is true for all price ranges; regardless of where you are on the safari price spectrum, both nations provide excellent locations to stay.

Kenya’s expanding communal and private conservancy housing, particularly in the Masai Mara, up north on the Laikipia Plateau, and, to a lesser extent, near Amboseli National Park, is one little distinction. These conservancies typically offer a more exclusive and exclusive safari experience because entry is restricted to individuals who have a confirmed reservation at one of the few upscale hotels or camps.

6. Price

You probably wouldn’t pick one nation over another based on the amount of money you’re likely to spend on lodging. This is due to the fact that costs at the two locations are essentially comparable. Tanzania can be somewhat more costly than Kenya on average. In Tanzania, a safari typically costs between $250 and $700 per person per day, but in Kenya, the same amount is between $150 and $700. However, the distinctions are negligible, and both provide excellent value for your safari funds.

7. Arriving

Nairobi is the main hub in East Africa, and flying into Kenya’s capital is definitely easier (and typically less expensive) than flying into Dar es Salaam or Mt. Kilimanjaro Airport, which is close to Arusha. However, the distinction between the two is rarely a decisive factor when picking where to go on safari; it’s a matter of degree.