Kenya and Tanzania safari.

These two E. African countries are found partly in the Great Rift Valley and both of them have variety of ecosystems with picturesque natural surroundings. They also share the Mara region hence hosting the great migration that happens in between the two parks of Serengeti in Tanzania and Maasai Mara in Kenya. These two countries are also adjacent to the coastline along the Indian Ocean and hence they are also endowed with marine animals, such as the dolphins and the sea turtles.

The big five members” lions, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos, and elephants are also found in variety in the different reserves and the different parks in both the countries. In these two E. African countries, you will also find people with extra ordinary culture and norms that is worth exploring and travelers get a chance to try out some of these traditions, such as the Maasai fire making skills, the Hadzabe hunting and gathering techniques and the different cuisines of the people’s along the coastline in the towns of Zanzibar (Tanzania) and Kenya (Mombasa).

BEST AND WORST TIME TO VISIT KENYA AND TANZANIA for a safari

Tourists all over the  world visit Kenya and Tanzania  for different adventures and experiences  and some of these safari ventures  are  shared in between these countries such as the great migration and the big five members which are the lions, leopards,  rhinos, buffaloes and the elephants.

Why visit Kenya and Tanzania.

By visiting any of the countries above, one gets a unique perception of Mother Nature since these two countries have abundance in ecological diversity hence here are some of the top attractions in Kenya and Tanzania.

The great migration;

In Kenya; this happens in between the months of July, august, September and October where the large herds cross are crossing to the Maasai Mara national Reserve through the Mara River.

In Tanzania; you can also  witness the  great migration in  Tanzania mainly I the Serengeti national park where by in the months of January to March you can observe the calving of the wildebeests in the  Southern plains( Ngorongoro conservation and Ndutu plains) and the crossings are witnessed  from June to October.

The Big five;

the big five members  in Kenya can be found in the different parks of Kenya such as  the Lake  Nakuru national park,  Tsavo national park,  the Maasai Mara national Reserve and Amboseli national  park while in Tanzania the big five  can be seen in  the  Serengeti national park, Tarangire  national park and Lake Manyara national park.

Hot air balloon safaris.

Get an aerial perspective of the dramatic river crossings in the Maasai Mara national reserve that is found in the South Western part of Kenya while in Tanzania hot air balloon safaris are experiences are  either Tarangire national park or Serengeti national park where tourists can catch the bird’s eye view of the endless picturesque plains of the Serengeti national park.

Game viewing safaris

Both Kenya and Tanzania have rich bio-diversity and the great migration is an added advantage to the ecosystems of both these countries and also rare species such as the spotted hyenas, the aardvark, cheetahs and many more are usually spotted during game viewing in the parks of Tanzania and Kenya.

Beach safaris.

Tanzania  and Kenya are countries are extendend to the coast line therefore they are in proximity to the  Indian ocean  hence both  countries are endowed with beaches that  have frosty sands and  high seas that  are also  home to marine life such as the  dolphins and sea turtles. In Kenya, examples of these    beaches include the Nyali beach, Bamburi each and shelly beaches and they are found at Mombasa. On   the other hand in Tanzania beaches such as Paje, Nungwi and Matemwe beach are found at Zanzibar.

Mountain hiking.

The two countries give travelers that are into mountain exploring an opportunity to venture some of the highest mountains in Africa. In Tanzania, the tourists can get a chance to witness the tallest peak in Africa that is found on Mount Kilimanjaro while in Kenya the tourists get a chance to see the second tallest peak in Africa on Mount Kenya.

The bird watching expeditions,

Not only are the two countries blessed with wild animals but also different species of birds such as the grey crowned crane, saddle-billed stork, African Fish  eagle, African harrier-hawk and yellow-billed oxpecker can either be found in Tanzania or Kenya. In Kenya you can get to do the bird watching at Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara and Lake Baringo while in Tanzania you can do the bird watching at Ngorongoro crater, Saadani national park and Serengeti national park.

What is the best time to visit Kenya and Tanzania?

Both the two countries offer great adventurous opportunities all around the year however   there’s an ideal time for the venture visits in Tanzania and Kenya. The months from early June, July, August, September   and October are the best months for most of the expeditions such as game viewing and the beach safaris.  This period is also great for travelers who would want to witness the great migration most especially the dramatic river crossings from either the Serengeti in Tanzania to Maasai Mara in Kenya and vice versa.

Landscape photography at the beaches  and wildlife photography in the game parks  is also  best during this period since it is when the   skies are bright creating  vivid  sceneries and in the different parks  there’s scanty  vegetation  and this contributes to better game viewing  and easily spotting of the wild animals.  The beach safari ventures such as marine life exploration is also best during this time.

When is the worst time to visit Kenya and Tanzania?

The months from March  to May  are usually rainy periods in Kenya and Tanzania and the rain favors the growth of dense vegetation in the different parks  and this  makes the game viewing experience in Tanzania and Kenya difficult  because most of  the wild animals re hidden in  the thicket bushes.

Most of the pathways in the game parks are muddy and when it rains they become boggy and hardly impassable and since when its rainy the weather is also unstable, it can lead to cancellation of some safari experiences like the hot air balloon expeditions and hence the tourists might lose out on money that they might have paid during the booking period of such activities. During the rainy seasons the sky becomes duller because of the less sunshine hence the tourists can hardly take the pictures that they would keep as memory during the Tanzania and Kenya.

When is the peak and expensive season in Kenya and Tanzania?

Many tourists from Eat Africa and outside of East Africa usually come to Tanzania and Kenya in from June to mid-September and the wildebeest migration greatly contributes to the influx of the visitors in both these countries. The safari costs for distinct experiences in both countries become costly because different tourist’s destinations such as the parks increase the entrance fees and due to increase demand from tourists this contributes to increase in the costs.

When is the low and less expensive season in Kenya and Tanzania?

The low season in Kenya and Tanzania is in November, April and May because this period is less popular to the tourists hence both countries receive a limited number of tourists and this affects the price setting of different activities and in order to attract visitors safari and accommodation companies go to a n extent of discounting the packages hence tourists that visit Kenya and Tanzania during this time spend less compared to the peak.

Month by month description of visiting Kenya and Tanzania.

January and February.

These are some of the  driest months in  both Kenya and Tanzania with mild temperatures that are suitable for a safari  and also  game viewing in both countries and  the beaches at the coastal areas of  both the countries receive dry weather hence  beach activities such as snorkeling and diving are also suitable during this time. In Serengeti of Tanzania during these months it is the peak of witnessing the predator-prey optimal activities since it the time of the calving of the wildebeests.

March, April and May.

This is the longest rainy period in Kenya and Tanzania and however much wildlife spotting might not be as good as the dry season, bird watching is magnificent during this time as birds from all over migrate to both countries because of the greenery that that comes with the rains therefore the tourists can watch different bird spices at safari destinations like at Lake Nakuru in Kenya and the Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania.

June, July, August, September and October.

This is the longest dry season in Kenya and Tanzania and the temperatures are convenient for safari and  because of the limited rains, this makes visiting the  both countries exclusive with exceptional game viewing and others experiences such as Maasai cultural visits are great during this  period. River crossings of the vast herds also happen during this period in between the Serengeti of Tanzania and the Maasai Mara in Kenya.

November and December.

This is a short period for the rainy seasons in Kenya and Tanzania and less visitors come into both countries for a safari even if game viewing and other activities are still possible during this time of the year.

Some of the top tourist attractions to visit for a Safari in both Kenya and Tanzania.

Kenya.

 Maasai mara national reserve.

This protected area has all the different kinds of wildlife species such as the herbivores, carnivores, amphibians and all kinds of bird species. It is also known for hosting the great migration most especially in the month of June to September. The big five” Lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinos “also part of the top attractions in this reserve. Inside the reserve they are other tourist attractions. Besides, the big five in the Wildebeest migration, there is the Mara triangle that is known for having numerous ecosystems, the Musiara swamp a marshy habitat most especially for the buffaloes, Nile crocodiles and rhinos and also the Ol kinyei conservancy; a reserve that provides a range of experiences and activities for the tourists, such as Bush meals, day and night game drives, hot air balloon safaris and many more.

Hells gate national park.

one of this park’s main attractions at this park is the geothermal energy,  generating at the Olkaria geothermal power station   and also since its neighboring lake Naivasha it’s a bird watchers haven  since it has over 100 different kinds of birds such as the augar buzzard, martial eagle and many more. The park also has a number of wild animals such as giraffes, hyenas, Thompson gazelles and also the panoramic gorge with a shimmering scenic view.

Lake Nakuru national park.

The park is famously known for its main attraction, which is the Nakuru Lake that has over 1 million population of the pink flamingos because it’s supplies algae that acts as food to them and other bird species. The park is also known for having a number of the black rhinos and also the radiant cliff viewpoints. Some of the experiences at Lake Nakuru park are hiking, camping and birdwatching ventures.

Diani beach.

This beach is located in the Mombasa region with an epic view of the Indian Ocean and marine animals such as dolphins which are some of the top tourist attractions at this beach. Beach activities such as snorkeling, diving and fishing are ideal at this location.

Amboseli national park.

Mountain Kilimanjaro is one of the views that are perceived from this park and within the park flows the lake Amboseli that has contributed to the support of wild animals such as the zebras, giraffes and many other animals.

Samburu national park.

This is also a conservatory area in Kenya that is endowed with abundant wildlife and it is in the proximity of the Ewado Ng’iro River which is one of the prominent rivers in Kenya. It has wild animals such as giraffes, the big five and numerous bird species. Experience Horseback venture, local community interactions and game viewing safaris at this park.

Tanzania.

Serengeti national park.

This is one of the expensive ecosystem reserve area in Africa that has a population of about 2 million wild species with the big five inclusive. The great migration happens more in the Serengeti from the calving seasons to the river crossings and this is an ideal site to witness this wondrous occasion.   The park also has unique gems such as the Moru kopjes, the beisa Oryx, the caracal, and the African wild dog.

Ngorongoro conservation area.

This reserve has one the largest caldera in Africa, formed as a result of volcanic eruption. wild animals such as the wildebeests, zebras and rhinoceros partly make up the ecosystem of this area. Other attractions in this area are Lake Magadi that has various bird species and the Olduvai Gorge and it is also known for its large population of prides (lions). Visit the Olduvai Gorge and museum and also experience the game safaris at the Ngorongoro conservation center.

Mount Kilimanjaro.

Hike through the different diverse vegetation zones of Kilimanjaro and get to see wild animals up-close such as the blue monkeys, the aardvark, mantled guerra and you will also get an opportunity to spot the ice fields on top of one of the tallest peaks in Africa on Mount Kilimanjaro. Ventures such as hiking, bird watching, nature walks and camping are part of the experiences at this mountain.

Mnemba Island.

This is one of the marine reserve areas located at Zanzibar and situated within a reef. Some of the marine animals found at this island are the sharks, sea turtles, whales. Dolphins and different species of birds. It’s alluring blue waters enclosed within the ivory dunes are also one of the attractive features at the island.

Zanzibar.

Visit the city of ethnic variants and historical sites such as, the prison island with an ancient slavery significance, the stone town that is known for having biggest markets of the spices in Africa and also the Mnarani conservation pond for the turtles.

Some of the accommodations to stay at while on the Kenya and Tanzania safari.

KENYA.

Safari camp/lodge and hotels.	Location	Price per person, per night
Ø  Mara Elatia camp	·       Maasai mara	o   US$540.
Ø  Olsupat lodge	·       Nairobi	o   US$71
Ø  Sarova Stanley	·       Nairobi	o   US$166
Ø  Upani in Diani	·       Diani beach	o   US$53
Ø  Midland  hotel	·       Nakuru	o   US$92
Ø  Wild wood cottages	·       Naivasha	o   US$18
Ø  Eseriani the resort	·       Naivasha	o   US$57

 

TANZANIA.

Safari camp/lodge and hotels.	Location	Price per night for one person.
Ø  Zawadi camp	v  Serengeti	o   US$233
Ø  Serengeti luxury retreat	v  Serengeti	o   US$613
Ø  Safari villas	v  Arusha	o   US$18
Ø  Tulia boutique &spa	v  Arusha	o   US$114
Ø  Sunshine marine hotel	v  Mnemba Island	o   US$104
Ø  Mambo paradise	v  Mnemba island	o   US$80
Ø  Zanzibar Bahari villas	v  Zanzibar	o   US$64.