Kenya vs Tanzania — which offers the better African safari?
Going on an African safari is always a good idea! The time spent in nature, the magnificent animals, the sunshine, the relationships with your fellow travellers … it’s all positives But you do, of course, need to settle on a destination. We’re often asked if Tanzania or Kenya is the better country for an African safari. And that’s a great question.
Firstly, take a look at these 8 key Serengeti Safari tips to get you excited!
Kenya vs Tanzania safari
Below we list the pros of a Kenyan safari and of a Tanzanian safari to help you decide which country to visit for an African safari.
Kenya
Tanzania
Kenya and Tanzania on the map
Unsure where exactly in Africa to find the two countries? Check out the map below. As you can see, they’re neighbours, with a long shared border. As we discuss a little further down, the Great Migration ecosystem straddles this border.
Two countries, many things in common
It’s easy to understand from seeing the above map why Kenya and Tanzania have so much in common. Both countries have similar climates, seasons, temperatures, wildlife and vegetation. Obviously we’re not suggesting these things are the same — of course not! Just that the differences aren’t very great, relatively speaking. And for that reason we don’t recommend referencing them when trying to decide which country would provide you with the better African safari.
There’s also significant overlap in terms of the languages, histories and cultures of Tanzania and Kenya. For starters, Swahili is an official language in both nations, as is English (this as a result of British colonialism). Then there’s the shared legacy of maritime trade with India and the Middle East in the coastal regions. The architecture and spicy cuisine of Zanzibar in Tanzania are a potent example of this influence.
And finally, the Maasai people live in both Kenya and northern Tanzania. So a Maasai cultural experience (which is very much worthwhile!) is possible in either country. The Maasai are arguably the most famous of Africa’s countless tribes, and we find many clients really enjoy including a cultural visit to a Maasai community in their African safari trip.
Learn more!
This is a very basic overview of the two countries, and we will be the first to tell you that there is a lot more to these two gems than meets the eye! The list of pros is extensive, which we cover in greater deal in the blog below: