Torn between a safari in Kenya or Tanzania? While both countries rank among East Africa's finest safari destinations, especially for witnessing the Great Migration, each has its own distinctive character. Landscape variations, wildlife to observe, tourism traffic, safari prices... Discover all the criteria to consider when making your choice.

Tanzania or Kenya: what landscape differences exist?

Savannas, mountains, verdant hills, acacia plains, wooded forests, lakes, wetland zones... Both countries boast remarkably similar landscapes, though Kenya offers greater landscape diversity. Indeed, thanks to its position around the Great Rift Valley, Kenya features both a semi-arid zone (east of the Rift escarpment) and lush green landscapes (west of the Rift escarpment). Tanzania, meanwhile, is characterized primarily by verdant landscapes across its entire territory.

Overall, Kenya has more protected natural sites than Tanzania. In total, Kenya counts 27 national parks (including 4 marine parks) and 34 national reserves (including 6 marine reserves), among which these are the most popular for safaris:

• The Masai Mara National Reserve,

• The Amboseli National Park,

• Tsavo National Park, divided into two: Tsavo East and Tsavo West,

• The Samburu National Reserve,

• The Lake Nakuru National Park,

• The Mount Kenya National Park,

• The Hell's Gate National Park,

• Buffalo Springs Reserve,

• The Ol Pejeta private sanctuary,

• The Nairobi National Park,

• The Meru National Park...

As for Tanzania, there are 21 protected areas (including 15 national parks, 4 Ramsar sites and 2 marine parks) and 5 biosphere reserves, among which these are the must-sees for a safari:

• The Serengeti National Park,

• The Ngorongoro Conservation Area,

• The Tarangire National Park,

• The Arusha National Park,

• The Udzungwa Mountains National Park,

• The Ruaha National Park,

• The Lake Manyara National Park,

• The Gombe Stream National Park,

• The Saadani Reserve,

• The Mikumi National Park,

• The Selous Reserve...

What wildlife can you see on a safari in Kenya and Tanzania?

You're wondering what wildlife to observe on a Kenya safari and in Tanzania? Get ready, because the list is long!

Mammals, reptiles, primates, birds... The list of different species is endless. Generally speaking, both destinations allow you to see the Big 5 and witness the Great Migration. In most parks and reserves of these neighboring countries, you'll find all the emblematic savanna animals, namely: giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, hyenas, warthogs, hippopotamuses, antelopes...

The only differences? Certain animals are more present in one territory than the other. For example, many primate species are found in Tanzania (notably chimpanzees) whereas you can more easily observe rhinoceros and birds in Kenya.

Where to see the Big 5?

Want to see the Big 5 on your safari? Great news: it's possible to encounter the Big 5 animals in both countries. As a reminder, Big 5 animals originate from the hunting world and are today among the most sought-after animals on a safari. These are the African elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros, African lion and leopard.

To see the complete Big 5 in Kenya, head to

• The Masai Mara National Reserve,

• Lake Nakuru National Park,

To see the complete Big 5 in Tanzania, head to:

• Serengeti National Park,

• Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Worth noting:
Here's some useful information if one of the Big 5 animals particularly interests you:

You'll have a better chance of spotting rhinoceros in Kenya, notably at Lake Nakuru National Park and in the Ol Pejeta conservation area. Elephant colonies are most numerous in Amboseli National Park in Kenya and Tarangire National Park in Tanzania. Lions are particularly abundant in Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Leopards are present in most African parks and reserves but are the Big 5 animals most difficult to find due to their elusive nature. Buffalo, meanwhile, are the Big 5 animals easiest to observe, and this applies in both countries.

Where to see the Great Migration?

Both Kenya and Tanzania witness an exceptional natural phenomenon: the Great Migration. Each year, millions of wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras and antelopes move between Tanzanian and Kenyan lands to find new grazing grounds. The herds of herbivores travel from Serengeti National Park to Masai Mara National Reserve.

As you can see, it's possible to witness the Great Migration in Kenya just as in Tanzania, but to do so you must choose the right periods. To help you, here's a summary table of the key dates of the Great Migration:

In short, to see the Great Migration in Tanzania, head to Serengeti National Park between December and July. To see the Great Migration in Kenya, plan a safari in Masai Mara National Reserve between August and October.

Where to observe great apes of Africa?

Tanzania possesses a distinctive advantage that Kenya does not: the presence of great apes on its territory. Indeed, it's possible to see chimpanzees in their natural environment on a Tanzania safari. This is notably the case in the Gombe Stream National Park, renowned for being the observation site of the famous primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall, or at the Mahale Mountains National Park,

In Tanzania, you'll also find other primate species such as:

• Baboons, green vervets and silver monkeys in Manyara,

• Black and white colobus in Arusha Park,

• Red colobus in Udzungwa Mountains Park...

In Kenya, there are some primate species but these are mainly small monkeys. There are only small primates, mostly concentrated in the Mount Kenya area. 

Where to observe the most birds?

If Tanzania has the advantage of harboring numerous primates, Kenya, for its part, is the kingdom of birds. Simply put, the country contains over 10% of the planet's bird species. Hosting more than 1,100 bird species, it is actually the second country in Africa where you find the most birds and the first country in Africa with the richest birdlife. 

If you wish to embark on an ornithological safari, Kenya is therefore the country to choose. Among the best sites for observing birds in Kenya, we recommend:

• The lakes of the Great Rift Valley: Lake Turkana, Lake Nakuru, Lake Elementaita, Lake Naivasha, Lake Bogoria, Lake Longonot...

• Samburu National Reserve,

• Lake Victoria,

• Kalacha forest...

Kenya or Tanzania: which of the two countries is most touristy?

Historically, Kenya opened its doors to tourism and developed its safari infrastructure well before Tanzania. This is why Kenya is more touristy than Tanzania, especially during high season when travelers are most numerous. Nevertheless, overall park and reserve visitation is fairly similar in both countries throughout the rest of the year.

Furthermore, it's possible to enjoy a more intimate safari by opting for one in a lesser-known reserve such as Samburu National Reserve. Generally speaking, the parks and reserves are so vast that you're unlikely to find yourself in crowded conditions.

Kenya or Tanzania: which destination offers the best value for a safari?

Obviously, a safari's cost depends on many factors: season, type of safari, type of accommodation, activities, safari duration... But overall, Kenya offers less expensive safaris than Tanzania. This is explained by several reasons:

• Park and reserve entrance fees are higher in Tanzania than in Kenya.

• Kenya offers a wide variety of mid-range accommodations (camping, lodges, tent camps...) unlike Tanzania, which targets more upscale tourism with many luxury lodges. Note, however, that luxury accommodations can be found in Kenya, but mid-range options forstaying during a Tanzania safari remain difficult to find.

• Vehicle rental costs are higher in Tanzania because renting a private 4x4 (LandCruiser type) is mandatory for safaris in national parks, unlike Kenya where more budget-friendly options exist (minivan, small SUV...).

• Plane tickets are often more expensive to Kenya than to Tanzania.

Transport and travel time: which destination is most practical for saving time?

If you plan to safari in multiple parks and reserves to see as much as possible, careful planning is essential. Indeed, you must account for transport and travel times between each site.

Generally, parks and reserves are much farther apart from each other in Kenya. This can prove very challenging when traveling with children or when traveling for a short period. It's worth noting, however, that the journeys are part of the adventure and allow you to discover many landscapes along the roads. Furthermore, when budget permits, it's possible to take domestic flights to save time.

Unlike Kenya where parks and reserves are scattered throughout the country, those of Tanzania are mostly concentrated in the north. To put it simply, Tanzania is the better choice for family safaris or if you're short on time.

Kenya or Tanzania: which country to choose for a safari based on the season?

Located near the equator in East Africa, Kenya and Tanzania share relatively similar climates, marked by two dry seasons and two rainy seasons. While it's possible to safari in both countries year-round, certain periods are more favorable than others depending on your desired activities.

The best time for a Tanzania safari

The best time for a Tanzania safari corresponds to the dry seasons, namely July to September or November to February. The dry seasons offer pleasant temperatures, allow you to avoid precipitation and make wildlife easier to observe as animals congregate around water sources.

Note that the rainy seasons do have their advantages: fewer tourists, more favorable rates and dramatic storm skies that delight photography enthusiasts.

The best time for a Kenya safari

The best time for a Kenya safari corresponds, like Tanzania, to the dry seasons, namely December to March and July to October. It's indeed the best time to see as much wildlife as possible and experience the Great Migration (between August and October).

Again, the rainy seasons can offer certain benefits: savings on safari prices, avoiding crowds, observing birds or taking photos.

Kenya or Tanzania: where to combine safari and beaches?

Many travelers organize their journey to combine wildlife safari with beach stays on the Indian Ocean. So, which is the better destination between Tanzania and Kenya for combining safari and beach? The answer is simple: both!

Indeed, both countries boast dream beaches with turquoise waters where you can relax, go scuba diving and enjoy water activities. The perfect way to end your stay!

On the Tanzania side, you can reach the paradise island of Zanzibar and its magnificent beaches. On the coast, you'll also find beautiful beaches, particularly in the Tanga region. On the Kenya side, you can head to the city of Mombasa, near which you'll find Kenya's most beautiful beaches like Diani Beach.

Why not combine Tanzania and Kenya on a single trip?

Given their proximity, it's entirely possible to combine safari in Kenya and Tanzania during one trip. You could, for example, take a flight from Dar es Salaam to Nairobi (approximately 1h50 of flight) or from Zanzibar to Mombasa (approximately 1h of flight). It's also possible to reach both countries by land. Several buses connect Nairobi from the Tanzanian cities of Arusha and Moshi (between 6 and 8h drive).

Need help organizing your Kenya or Tanzania safari trip? Would you like to combine both countries on a single journey to see as much as possible? Don't hesitate to contact us: we can suggest various itineraries or organize a custom-tailored trip!