When it comes to an African safari there are many options to choose from—South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania—each with their own strengths and weaknesses. In this post we are focusing on our neighbor to the north, Kenya, and how a safari there compares to one in Tanzania.
Kenya and Tanzania are quite similar to each other, as both are key players in East Africa, both were formerly governed by the British, and both share the same language (although Kiswahili is more of a lingua franca in Tanzania). Relations between the two countries are quite cordial, and both do a good bit of trading with the other. The drive from the capital of Kenya, Nairobi, to the safari capital of Tanzania, Arusha, can be completed in a matter of hours.
One may think we’re a bit biased, being a primarily Tanzania-based safari company (that works within all of eastern Africa), but nevertheless we’ve done our best to provide a fair review of both country’s strengths and weaknesses below (based on the knowledge and experience of the owners, the guides, and prior guests).
Tanzania’s Strengths
- Wide variety of park landscapes and species of animals, from the slopes of Kilimanjaro to Serengeti’s savannahs, from the forests of Mahale to the beaches of Saadani
- The tallest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro, is located not far from the twin safari capitals of Moshi and Arusha
- The Zanzibar islands, with it’s centuries of history, unique architecture, and white sand beaches, is visited by half of our guests after a safari or Kilimanjaro adventure
- Chimpanee trekking is available via Mahale, Gombe, or Rubondo Island National Parks (as popularized by Dr. Jane Goodall)
- Ngorongoro Crater, one of the most unique, spectacular places to go on a safari in the world, is located a few hours drive from Arusha
- There are no privately-owned and managed “game reserves” as are commonly found in Kenya and South Africa—everything is 100% natural and unfenced in the national parks
- Home to East Africa’s last remaining hunter-gatherer society, the Hadzabe tribe
Tanzania’s Weaknesses
- More expensive park fees than Kenya (although a recent price hike by Kenyan Parks in 2024 makes for less of a gap)
- More controlled certification processes for properties to be built in national parks, which makes for less availability and higher pricing (especially during the summer months from June through August)
Kenya’s Strengths
- Home to Nairobi International Airport, which is a major East African hub for many carriers, thus reducing your flight time a bit (the connecting flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport [JRO]–the usual hub for safari tourism in northern Tanzania–is another 45 minutes away).
- Prices are cheaper because there is much more competition in Kenya (as the parks are smaller and more spread out, tourism numbers are higher, and there are many more hotels and lodges available).
- Many of the park roads are paved, which leads to a less bumpy ride while on safari
Kenya’s Weaknesses
- More incidents of petty crime stemming from high unemployment (especially in Nairobi and Mombasa), as well as terrorism due to the proximity to unstable states such as Somalia and South Sudan
- Maasai Mara National Reserve is only around 10% of the size of Serengeti National Park (1,510 km² vs. 14,763 km²), and the Great Wildebeest Migration is around that area only a short period of the year (typically late July through mid-September), although you can also see it from the Tanzanian side at this time of year as well)
- Maasai Mara is too crowded—its fame has gotten the better of it (a large number of guests complain about this when they have other park experiences to compare it to)
- Less wildlife in general versus Tanzania—Tanzania is a bigger country, with bigger parks, and a larger population of animals within those parks
- Parks tend to be more spread out versus Tanzania’s Northern Circuit (see map below), which leads to more driving time and less safari time
- Our prior guests have mentioned more than once that they thought the overall friendliness of the guides wasn’t there (as opposed to many of the guides in Tanzania—”it felt like more of just a business transaction”)
- Much of the roads through the parks are paved, which leads to more traffic and a less authentic “safari experience”, with many minivans and passenger vehicles dotting the landscape during peak months
Routes & Distances
In the map above you can see the city of Arusha and the major parks of the Northern Circuit of Tanzania in comparison to Nairobi and the Maasai Mara of Kenya.
If one were to fly into Arusha, it is quite easy to see four enormous parks in a matter of a few days, all along one road (as well as Arusha National Park [5], just outside of the city, as an optional day trip). Setting off from Arusha you drive two hours or so and you’re at Tarangire National Park (4). A 30-minute drive from there and you are in Lake Manyara National Park (3). Another 90 minutes gets you to Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area (2), and from there it is a beautiful three hour drive to your lodge in the middle of the Serengeti plains (1). From there, most guests opt to fly back to Arusha and save driving back seven to eight hours the same way they came in from.
In comparison, it is about a four-hour drive from Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Park (1, the most visited of all of the parks in Kenya). It is about four hours in the opposite direction from Nairobi to get to Tsavo National Park (3). More than four hours in another completely different direction (south) you have Amboseli National Park (2), where you can get a decent look at Kilimanjaro (but not climb it, as the entirety of Mount Kilimanjaro lies in Tanzania). Nairobi National park, much like Arusha National park, is an easy drive from the city, but it is quite compact and suitable only for a day trip.
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But don’t just take our word for it! If you do a bit of online research yourself you’ll see that the points we’ve brought up are the same ones listed on many other sites, including the safari outfitters that operate in both Kenya and Tanzania.
