When we want to go on safari, we always ask ourselves the best country to go on safari: Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa? There are several countries where we can do a safari. In this post in particular we are going to make a comparison between a safari in Kenya and a safari in Tanzania.

We will try to compare how we experienced our first safari in Kenya, our second safari with our 2 year old daughter, and the safaris we have done in Tanzania, including the 5 day safari.

In this post we explain the differences between the two safaris to see which one is better: Kenya or Tanzania.

Which parks and conservation areas do we compare in Kenya and Tanzania?

This safari comparison is based on our experience in the following areas and national parks:

  • In Kenya: Masai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park, Lake Nakuru, Lemek Conservation Area, Olasurai Conservation Area and Naboisho Conservation Area (all three belonging to the Masai Mara ecosystem).
  • In Tanzania: In the national parks of: Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Arusha, Sinya Nature Reserve and Lake Natron.

In an attempt to summarize, we will only compare the most important parks and conservation areas or those we find most interesting.

Where will we see more animals in Kenya or Tanzania?

This is the million dollar question and a difficult one to answer. Animals are constantly on the move in search of food. If it does not rain in one area they move to another and therefore the presence of animals also depends on external factors. It depends on the time of the year, and it is also important to take into account climate change, which is modifying the seasons. For example, in early 2025 the rains have not fallen in Tanzania as usual. This has caused the wildebeest to be a bit dislocated, and instead of being located in the southern Serengeti, they have gone to the center. So, with climate change it is increasingly difficult to make a forecast of how the Great Migration between Kenya and Tanzania will go.

It also depends on the extension of the park, the type of vegetation it has (where there are trees, for example, it is more common to find giraffes or elephants, where there is no water it will be difficult to find hippos, or where there is more green, it is where we will find zebras, wildebeests, or antelopes). But if the grass is very tall, the opposite happens, the herbivores do not go because with the tall grass they cannot see the predators (which hide in the grass).

In addition, all animals are related to each other; if one is missing, another one will be missing as well. For example, where there are giraffes, apes can be found, as they rely on them and their ability and field of vision to be at ease. Another example: wildebeests and zebras need each other, eat different parts of the same vegetation, and help each other to migrate.

Best of all, is that in green, dry, even without seeing the Great Migration, you always see animals, always and I mean always, we have seen lions, elephants, cheetahs, buffaloes, giraffes etc..

Tourist overcrowding: another point to be taken into account

Another aspect to take into account that we consider key when evaluating where to go is the amount of tourists, cars or movement in the area. It is true that the extensions are very large, and despite the fact that it is becoming more and more common to go on safari, there is no sense of crowds. However, there are occasions when we find 10 or 20 cars around a pride of lions. This factor influences, and at least in our experience, we have been able to enjoy more closeness with the animals, and more tranquility (for them and for us) in not so typical places, such as in the Lemek Conservation Area, or in the Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania.

Safaris in Tanzania: parks to visit during your trip

1. Sinya Nature Reserve (Tanzania)

When we last visited Sinya Reserve, which borders Kenya, it was June. Because it had not rained for many months (it should have rained in April or May at the earliest), the area was totally dry and there were practically no animals. We found a few elephants seeking shade in some trees and bushes, but little else.

As we said, everything is an interrelated ecosystem. If there is no vegetation to eat, there are no zebras, gazelles or wildebeests. If there are no gazelles or wildebeest, there are no predators such as lion, cheetah or leopard.

The effects of climate change: let’s not think that landscapes are unchanging

Therefore, if there is no food in the area where you are doing the safari because it has not rained, the animals will not stay there and will look for areas where they can find food. It is as simple as that, but it is very important to know it, and not to take things for granted when looking for a safari route, when asking for information on what to do in Kenya or Tanzania, or when evaluating the natural parks to go to in our adventure in Africa.

The landscapes are changeable, and the fauna depends on them. And yes, it is a very clear reminder, one that sticks in your mind: let’s not take for granted nature, biodiversity, the water around us, or the temperature of our rivers or seas. Everything is changing, and in addition to making us value what we have and one day maybe not, it should make us reflect and protect it, and here many of our most basic daily habits come into play. What we do on a daily basis has repercussions on the other side of the planet. And the savannah is no exception, quite the contrary.

2. Lake Manyara Safari (Tanzania)

In the safari we did in Lake Manyara we saw many animals and, above all, up close. This is probably because there is a lot of water in the area (the lake), and because it is very close to the main road that the jeeps constantly follow. Therefore the animals are near and around the water. Although it is a national park, it is less known and we did not see as many tourists. We were able to enjoy the animals with more tranquility, and they also approached us with more confidence, since the absence of noise or hustle and bustle of 4x4s makes them more receptive.

The best surprise at Lake Manyara

In Lake Manyara we encounter many elephants, giraffes, zebras, gazelles and baboons. But not only that. We saw a spectacle that is more difficult to see in the Serengeti. As there was more than enough food, there were also predators, and we were able to be about 5 meters away from two lionesses, who with their cubs, had hunted a wildebeest and devoured and dragged it to take it as food for the rest of the herd. The lionesses saw the car, but understood that it was not a threat, and they had a sufficiently important matter in front of them to pass us by. There were 2 cars, and we were able to watch the show until we said to leave. No rush and no crowds.

Thus, the Lake Manyara safari is a recommended route and a must if you do a 3-day safari (or even less). There are fewer tourists and because there is water there are always animals near the lake. It is also very close to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Tarangire National Park.

Not only large animals can be seen during a safari. You can also see families of baboons.
Baboons at Lake Manyara. Photo Alex de Cortada by Trip to Help

3. Safari in the Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)

In the Serengeti National Park safari was where we saw more animals, especially in variety. Because of its enormous extension, and because we spent 2 days there, we had time to see all the Big Five except the rhinoceros. We saw huge herds of elephants walking in line (the typical image we have when we think of the savannah), which in other parks is difficult (in other places it is common to see them up close, but often there are 2 or 3 males, a mother with her calf, but not the whole herd).

It was the only park in Tanzania where we saw the leopard, at quite a distance, and with the need for binoculars. We also saw several groups of elephants, a family of lions, several cheetahs and hippos and many other animals such as buffaloes, wildebeests, gazelles, zebras, giraffes, ostriches….

The experience of sleeping inside the Serengeti National Park

We really enjoyed sleeping inside the national park, we believe it is one of the must-do experiences. Mainly for the sensation (and not only sensation, it is a reality) of being very close to the animals and for the sunset we saw while having a beer.

At the lodge, when night falls, they make bonfires, and as romantic and idyllic as it may seem to you to be with your beer, your book, and the fire in front of you, in reality the reason is to warn the animals that you can’t go there. Of course, you won’t be able to take your eyes off the sky. The spectacle of stars, along with the silence with the occasional animal noise that you will not know what it is, is part of the experience, and you will find it hard to forget.

So, if you have enough days and your budget allows it, the Serengeti National Park is a must if you want to do a safari in Tanzania.

4. Safari in the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.

Ngorongoro Crater is one of the few places in the world where you can see the Big Five. In practice, we only saw the rhinoceros and only from a distance. We saw neither lions nor elephants, nor the leopard…. Of course, we enjoyed this place like children. The richness and diversity of this place is incredible, and it really is the place to see that everything is related and that the animals live in complete harmony. It is the place where you can become absorbed in analyzing the behavior of each one of them depending on the other animals around. We assure you that the commotion generated by two hyenas running back and forth in the middle of the crater will never be forgotten in our lifetime, and neither will the way the rest of the people reacted!

Ngorongoro Crater: an ecosystem in itself

Ngorongoro is a unique crater in the world where an entire ecosystem lives inside. Going down the walls of the volcano and doing the crater safari is really something very different from the rest of the parks and highly recommended for its beauty. In addition, the road there is spectacular. We cross some rather jungle or tropical roads, something very unusual for the area.

Although we did not see elephants or lions, we saw a variety of animals, such as hyenas, wildebeest, jackals, pumas, ostriches, flamingos and many other birds.

The safari in the Ngorongoro Crater is highly recommended, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the main reasons to do a safari in Tanzania instead of Kenya.

Lioness about to hunt in the Ngorongoro Crater.
Lioness in the Ngorongoro Crater. Photo Alex De Cortada by Trip to Help.

5. Safari in Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park is one of the most visited parks in Tanzania due to its proximity to Arusha and the significant number of animals that can be seen, from elephants and zebras to lions.

Generally, if you do a 5-day safari, Tarangire is the first stop on your safari. It is a good place for a safari and we liked it. It is a good place to acclimatize and really believe that we are on safari, and also to say goodbye if we have it at the end of the route. Being close to Arusha is a cheaper safari than the Serengeti or Ngorongoro, and is highly recommended for the diversity of animals in distances not as huge as in the Serengeti, for example.

an elephant in tarangire national park
Elephant in Tarangire National Park. Trip to Help.

Safaris in Kenya: where to go

1. Maasai Mara National Reserve

When we think or see a safari in the Masai Mara, 99% of the time it refers to the Mara National Reserve. This is the place where the great migration can be seen every year.

On our first trip to Kenya we were not able to visit the most famous reserve in Kenya, the Mara, but on our second Kenya safari we visited it. Although it is similar to the Serengeti (it is the same ecosystem) and the Lemek Conservancy, we had the obligation to go, both for interest and for our work in the travel agency.

What is a safari in the Masai Mara like?

We went in January, during the low season, so there were relatively few cars. We came from spending a few days in a conservation area (in Lemek) doing safaris there. We saw more cars and animals from further away than in Lemek. This is mainly due to two reasons:

  • Thousands of cars per day can enter. There is no limitation.
  • The roads are strictly marked and you cannot leave them (although in practice some cars skip them to satisfy the will of the tourist and get closer to the animal of the day).

We arrived at the border with Tanzania, where the Serengeti and the Masai Mara mingle, where we got out of the car to take some pictures:

We have pending to go in summer when there is the great migration in the plains of the Masai Mara, as we are convinced that it must be a spectacle to see thousands of wildebeest together or crossing the Mara or Talek River.

2. Safari in the Lemek Conservation Area

The safari in the Lemek Conservation Area in Kenya is our favorite safari, hands down. We love it because, with our Maasai guide, we were able to go places that are unthinkable in a National Park. You can go off-trail, cross literally the entire steppe, get close to any animal if your guide sees fit, and there are no schedules. You can go whenever you want: we were caught at night on two occasions, and it’s quite an adventure. In addition, you can get out of the car and walk around. You are stepping on the same ground that zebras or giraffes have walked on, and the feeling of connection with the place is infinitely elevated. It is a more adventurous safari than in Tanzania or other Kenyan national parks, you feel total freedom, and there are no crowds. In fact, we could tell you that there are hardly any tourists, since only 15 cars a day can enter.

KENYA SUNSET SAFARI
Sunset in Kenya

Positive points of the safari in Lemek Kenya:

  • Far fewer tourists than in the Mara National Reserve or other parks in Tanzania or Kenya.
  • The possibility of getting close to the animals, leaving the tracks marked by the cars. We were able to enjoy a live show that you will never forget: a lion and a lioness, on their “honeymoon”, just as they were beginning to mate. You can watch the video on our instagram.
  • Possibility to see two white rhinos in a sanctuary where they are protected from poaching by several Rangers.
  • There are several cheetah and lion colonies in Lemek, so William and his guides know where they roam.
  • Proximity to the accommodation where we stayed and you can do it too (it belongs to a social project and your stay contributes directly to the elementary school located right next door, which you can visit). Its location allowed us to do half-day safaris without having to travel long distances and without schedules.
  • Local life has not disappeared. It is a Maasai area, your guides are Maasai, and you really see how they understand animal life, how they respect it and know it like no one else. In addition, being in an area where the Maasai community has not been forced to leave, has not been expelled, is always a plus.

Conclusions Masai Mara

As you can see, safaris in the Lemek Conservation Area are all advantages, so why does everyone visit the National Reserve?

The Mara National Reserve is larger than the Lemek Conservation Area, and is famous for the Great Migration. But they are borderlands and animals can move freely between the two areas. In fact, in recent years, some studies show that animals are moving out of the more crowded areas to areas with less tourism, such as conservation areas.

At Trip to Help , we do safaris in several areas of the Maasai Mara. We work with projects, hotels, and guides from various areas, and although our recommendation is always to do more days of safari in Lemek, the ideal is to be able to combine them.

3. Amboseli

Amboseli is one of our favorite parks. If your safari coincides with Mount Kilimanjaro in the clear, it is simply breathtaking to see it so close while on elephant safari. Amboseli is one of our favorite parks for two reasons, because you see a lot of elephants, you breathe more nature and tranquility than in other areas such as Lake Nakuru or Lake Naivasha and because just to see Kilimanjaro up close is worth it.

Where is the best chance of seeing the Big Five? In Kenya or Tanzania?

Travel to Kenya

  • Masai Mara is probably the best place to see lions, elephants, buffaloes and leopards with ease, especially during the Great Migration (July to October).
  • Rhinos are more difficult to see, but at Lake Nakuru, OlChorro Sanctuary, Ol Pejeta Conservancy or Lewa Conservancy there is a good chance, as they are protected areas.

Tanzania

In our experience, in the Serengeti National Park Big Five are easily spotted except for the Rhino which is extremely difficult to see.

The Ngorongoro Crater is where we saw the Rhinoceros and is where you can usually see them, even from a distance.

Conclusions between Kenya and Tanzania

If you go to Kenya, you will be able to see the Rhino up close, visiting some of the sanctuaries where they live protected 24 hours a day. Although it is also easy to see them in Lake Nakuru, where there are several living inside the park. In other words, if you are especially interested in seeing Rhinos, I advise you to go to Kenya.

If you like elephants, they are easily seen in Amboseli and Masai Mara (both the reserve and the Lemek Conservation Area), as well as in Tarangire, Lake Manyara or the Serengeti itself.

If you like lions and cheetahs, luckily they are seen on almost every safari.

On the other hand, there are animals like the Leopard, which like the Rhinoceros is very difficult to see. We only saw them in the Serengeti, but they can also be seen in the Masai Mara.

In summary, with the exception of the Rhino and the Leopard, all other animals can be seen with relative ease in both countries, either in Kenya or Tanzania.

In which safari will we see the animals the closest?

Another common question when deciding where to go on safari is whether to go to Kenya or Tanzania. We will be able to see the animals up close in Kenya, specifically in the Lemek Conservation Area in the Maasai Mara. This is due to the regulations governing National Parks, which the Lemek Conservation Area does not have. As this is an area where masai still live, they can move freely throughout the area. This means that if you see a lion 200 meters away in the Serengeti and there is no track to bring you closer, you will have to see it with binoculars. On the other hand, in Lemek, if we see a lion 200 meters away, we can approach it by leaving the track where we are driving.

In Tanzania, at Lake Manyara, by chance or not, we saw many elephants and giraffes up close, as well as the lionesses we have explained above. The elephants would come up to the car and eat next to us.



Where is it better to go on safari: Kenya or Tanzania?

This is one of the questions we get asked the most by our friends and travelers, and the truth is that it’s not easy to answer! Both destinations are amazing, but offer different experiences depending on what you are looking for and who you are traveling with.

If you are traveling with children:

We recommend Kenya, especially for the comfort. In the safari we organize from our lodge, you will be very close to the sighting areas, which allows you to do half-day or full-day safaris, adapting them to the family rhythm. This gives a lot of freedom to rest or enjoy the environment without long drives.
That said, it is also possible to do a safari with children in Tanzania. In fact, it is very easy to organize a 3-day safari in places like Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater. They are parks close to each other, ideal for a first safari experience with the family without spending too many hours in the car.

If your priority is to see animals up close:

Kenya is ideal. The Lemek conservation area is where you can see the animals up close and in peace and quiet. Away from the large tourist groups.

On the other hand, if you want to go on safari in different lodges of higher category, go on the road and visit different National Parks and you don’t mind the hours in the car, Tanzania would be your choice. In addition, Tanzania has something unique in the world: the Ngorongoro Crater. It is unique and a must to see how so many animals are living together inside one of the largest craters in the world.

Also in Tanzania we saw more animals as each day we were in a different park.

What about the Great Migration?

From July to October, it is best to travel to Kenya (Masai Mara).

In September and October, you can also see it in the northern Serengeti (Tanzania), if you are lucky with the Mara River crossings. It is one of the most impressive natural spectacles in the world.

Costs of Safaris in Kenya and Tanzania

To see the costs of the safaris, and also to be able to evaluate this point to know where it is better to do a safari, in Kenya or Tanzania, you can see them here:

Tanzania safari costs:

Kenya safari costs

If you want more information about the best safari in Kenya or Tanzania and which one suits you best, do not hesitate. Write us a whatsapp or send us an e-mail and we will schedule a call without obligation…

In the following points you have more information about other important aspects: travel insurance and the airplane flight.

Travel insurance for Tanzania or Kenya

Although Kenya and Tanzania are safe countries, it is always advisable to have travel insurance to cover any unforeseen event. As a reader of our blog, and as collaborators of Chakpa and IATI, we offer you a discount on your travel insurance. If you click on the Chapka and IATI banners, you will go to their website to purchase the insurance with a discount already applied thanks to Trip to Help. By contracting the insurance through our links you help us to continue with the blog and to continue writing information of interest. Chapka and IATI reward us financially for each customer who takes out insurance through our banners.

iati insurance 5% discount

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