When it comes to authentic African safaris, East Africa’s Tanzania and Kenya always stand out — and for good reason. Both countries feature iconic African landscapes, extraordinary wildlife, sensational game viewing, gorgeous climate all year round, a plethora of bucket-list activities and amazing opportunities for cultural immersion. These countries also feature different aspects of the world-renowned Great Wildebeest Migration which is often regarded to as the world’s most spectacular natural event. The question is, where should you go if you can only do one? Kenya or Tanzania?
Here are major factors to consider:
Geography
Kenya is located in East Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania while Tanzania is also East Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique. The latter spans 947,300 sq km which is slightly larger than twice the size of California. Kenya, on the other hand, has a total land area of 580,367 sq km.
Both countries feature gorgeous coastlines and superb beaches. Tanzania’s coastline is 1,424 km, and Kenya’s is 536 km. The capital cities of Tanzania are Dar es Salaam (administrative) and Dodoma (legislative), and the capital city of Kenya is Nairobi.
Scenery
Both Kenya and Tanzania offer “real Africa” sceneries — one that’s usually imagined when we close our eyes and think of Africa. They are the quintessential Lion King setting, the “wild Africa” seen on many wildlife documentaries. But while both countries mainly feature golden grasslands peppered with flat-topped acacia trees, the diversity of its landscapes varies per region.
In Kenya, you can see highlands in the middle, sandy beaches on the coast, volcanic mountains and barren desert on the north, and fertile plains in the west. In Tanzania, terrain diversity is somewhat similar but significantly larger in size — highlands in the north and south, plains and plateaus along the west, and beautiful white sand beaches on the coast.
Wildlife Sightings
Kenya and Tanzania boast of an incredible wildlife that ranges from the Big Five to rare species endemic to them. Tanzania is home to a phenomenal density and diversity of animals, including the 2.5 wildebeests, zebras and Thomson’s gazelles that star in the iconic wildebeest migration. The country is known to hold the largest concentration of animals per square kilometer in the world as well as the largest concentration of predators. The most famous safari destination in Tanzania is the Serengeti. But beyond this world-famous park are other parks that offer splendid wildlife sightings:
- Ngorongoro crater with its abundant water and wildlife
- Mafia Island Marine Park for the turtles and glorious coral reefs
- Tarangire National Park with its massive herds of plains game, including the unique “red elephants”
- Selous Game Reserve for the world-class avifauna as well as endangered wild dogs
- Western circuit for the primates most particularly the thriving population of chimpanzees
Kenya, on the other hand, is particularly known for the big cats and the Big Five as well as endangered animals like Rothschild’s Giraffe, black rhinos and Sitatunga. Kenya also hosts a portion of the Wildebeest Migration every third quarter of the year which is held at Masai Mara, Kenya’s most popular game park. Other parks for great wildlife sightings include:
- Lake Nakuru which is famous for flamingos and rhinos
- Samburu with its Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx, and giraffe-like gerenuks
- Amboseli for its elephant herds walking along the grassland against a backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro
- Tsavo with its diverse landscapes and abundant elephants
Great Wildebeest Migration
The Great Wildebeest Migration is named one of Africa’s Natural Wonders and even deemed “The Greatest Show on Earth.” It features about 2.5 million wildebeests, zebras, Thomson’s gazelles, kudus and impalas scampering across the savannas of Serengeti in Tanzania and Masai Mara in Kenya for better grazing and fresh water.
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.
Of course, you would expect a handful of predators tailing these hooves’ every movement. From lions to cheetahs to leopards to hyenas and even Nile crocodiles and hippos, these migrating hooves always have something to look out for. Thus, predator activities are aplenty, especially in Southern Serengeti around January to March when baby wildebeests are born.
Traffic
Depending on the time of the year, the amount of visitors each country receive varies. Generally, the highest tourist influx is during peak seasons.
Kenya boasts of a very strong advertising and promotional scheme. Cheaper air travel tickets are also available to Kenya. Due to these, Kenya gains more visitors and is hence busier compared to Tanzania. Many of the parks in Kenya are also smaller and so, more people and vehicles are cramped in that space.
Tanzania, on the other hand, holds more massive parks and so animals are more spread out. The country also has less advanced infrastructure, which means it offers more exclusivity. Moreover, most parks in Tanzania limit the number of lodges and camps, which helps control mass tourism.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Kenya boasts of 7 UNESCO sites namely:
- 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
Tanzania also boasts of 7 UNESCO sites namely:
- Songo Mnara
- Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
- Stone Town
- Serengeti National Park
- Selous Game Reserve
- Kilwa Kisiwani
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Kenya or Tanzania?
There really is no wrong answer when it comes to this question. In fact, whether you go with Tanzania or Kenya, you are sure to have a memorable safari experience, no doubt. The factors that would perhaps help you make up your mind is your preferences. Do you want to go to a country with better tourism infrastructure, vibrant city nightlife and an amazing series of natural landmarks? If yes, then Kenya would be the perfect destination! It also offers more flights — not to mention cheaper — from many different parts of the country. In fact, some travelers to Tanzania fly to Nairobi first before catching a flight to Dar or Arusha.
However, if what you’re after is vast wilderness experience with more animals and more bush sceneries as well as dreamy white sand beaches with world-class coral wilderness, Tanzania is ideal for you.
Another factor that could serve as a determining factor on where you have to go is schedule. If you want to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, you have to mind your travel dates as the movement of the animals varies from month to month. So weigh in all the factors, take into consideration your budget and priorities, and you just might be ready for the wildest adventure of your life.
Kenya tours:
- 6 Days 5 Nights Best of Kenya Safari Tour
- 6 Days 5 Nights Kenya Pure Bush Safari Tour
- 3 Days 2 Nights Masai Mara Safari Tour
