Kenya & Tanzania Safari

Tips for Booking a Kenya & Tanzania Safari

1. Plan Around the Wildebeest Migration

The Great Wildebeest Migration moves between Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Masai Mara, making timing and location crucial when planning. However, even more important than where you are is deciding which phase of the Migration you want to witness. This natural spectacle follows a cyclical pattern, with the herds continuously moving throughout the year.

The Migration is divided into five key events: Calving (birthing) Season, Rutting (breeding) Season, the Grumeti River Crossings, the Mara River Crossings, and the periods when the herds are actively on the move. Each phase unfolds over the course of twelve months, meaning careful planning is essential to ensure you experience the most thrilling moments of this incredible journey.

2. Combine Top Kenya and Tanzania Heavy-Hitters with Hidden Gems

For the ultimate safari experience combining renowned national parks with remote, less-visited areas, provides incredible wildlife viewing with a sense of exclusivity. Start with iconic destinations like Kenya's Masai Mara and Tanzania's Serengeti, where vast plains teem with big-game animals, including lions, cheetahs, and massive herds of wildebeest. Visit Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, a natural amphitheater packed with wildlife, or Kenya's Amboseli, where large elephant herds roam against the stunning backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.

For a more intimate and crowd-free experience, venture off the beaten path to places like Samburu in Kenya and Tarangire in Tanzania. These remote parks offer rare wildlife sightings, including Grevy's zebras and gerenuks in Samburu, and large elephant migrations in Tarangire. Explore private conservancies, where limited visitor numbers allow for exclusive game drives, guided bush walks, and night safaris. By blending famous reserves with secluded gems, you'll experience the best of both worlds.

3. Consider Kenya and Tanzania Fly-In Itineraries

To spend more time on safari and less travelling, consider opting for fly-in safaris in Kenya and Tanzania. Major air hubs like Nairobi in Kenya and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania offer convenient connections to remote safari destinations, allowing you to bypass long and often bumpy road transfers. By opting for short flights between parks, you'll spend less time travelling and more time in the wilderness, maximising your chances of witnessing incredible wildlife encounters.

Fly-in safaris are especially beneficial when visiting multiple parks across different regions and countries. Instead of enduring full day drives between locations, you can quickly hop between the Masai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, or Amboseli, arriving fresh and ready for game drives. This not only increases comfort but also allows access to more secluded camps and conservancies that are difficult to reach by road.

4. Add On a Beach Destination

A Kenya and Tanzania safari offers exceptional wildlife encounters, but your adventure doesn't have to end there. After days spent tracking the Big Five and witnessing the Great Migration, unwind on the pristine shores of Diani Beach or Zanzibar. For those looking to extend their escape even further, the turquoise waters of Seychelles and Mauritius offer a luxurious retreat with soft white sands and swaying palm trees. These destinations provide the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure, allowing you to transition from exhilarating game drives to sun-drenched serenity.

Beyond relaxation, a bush & beach holiday lets you enjoy diverse activities, from diving with whale sharks in Diani to exploring Zanzibar's historic Stone Town or indulging in world-class water sports. Families will appreciate the many kid-friendly resorts, while honeymooners can revel in secluded beachfront lodges. With seamless flight connections from safari hotspots like Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, adding a beach escape to your itinerary is effortless, making sure your trip to Kenya and Tanzania ends on a blissful note.

Kenya or Tanzania: Which is Best for Safari?

Choosing between Kenya or Tanzania for your greatest adventure is a delightful dilemma, as both countries offer unparalleled wildlife experiences and breathtaking landscapes. Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve is renowned for its abundant wildlife and the annual Great Migration. The country’s well-established tourism infrastructure ensures a range of accommodations and safari options to suit various preferences.

In comparison, Tanzania boasts the iconic Serengeti National Park, also a stage for the Great Migration, offering vast, unspoiled terrains alive with diverse fauna. The Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage site, provides a unique safari setting within its volcanic caldera, home to a dense concentration of wildlife. Ultimately, the choice hinges on your personal preferences. For those with ample time, combining both destinations provides the perfect East African safari adventure.

Ready to Plan your Kenya and Tanzania Safari?

Explore our diverse Kenya and Tanzania safari tour packages or speak to one of our Africa Safari Experts and we'll tailor an itinerary to your individual preferences: