Kenya & Tanzania Safaris

Kenya and Tanzania are home to the Great Migration, when more than a million wildebeest, together with zebra and gazelle, follow the rains in a loop through the Serengeti and the Masai Mara. Add the Ngorongoro Crater, the elephants of Amboseli and Tarangire, and the dry north of Kenya, and you have some of Africa's best wildlife viewing.

Safaris here usually travel in 4x4 vehicles with pop-up roofs and a driver-guide, or by light aircraft between camps. Many trips end with a few days on the beach in Zanzibar or on the Kenyan coast.

The Great Migration through the year

The herds follow the rain, so timings move by a few weeks each year. As a rough guide:

• December to March. Southern Serengeti and Ndutu. Calving season, usually peaking in February, brings many predators.
• April and May. The long rains. Herds move north and west through the central Serengeti. Fewer visitors and some camps close.
• June and July. Western Serengeti and the Grumeti River, then north.
• July to October. Northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara, with the Mara River crossings. The busiest season.
• November. The short rains. Herds head back south.

River crossings happen when the herds decide, and no safari can promise one, but staying three nights or more in the right area gives you a good chance.

Kenya highlights

Masai Mara and its conservancies

Open grassland with big cat sightings all year. The private conservancies around the reserve, such as Mara North and Naboisho, limit vehicle numbers and allow night drives and walks. See Masai Mara.

Amboseli

Large elephant herds with Kilimanjaro behind them on clear mornings. See Amboseli.

Samburu

Dry country in the north with species found only there, including Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe and gerenuk. See Samburu.

Ol Pejeta and Laikipia

Rhino conservation, including the last two northern white rhinos, and a chimpanzee sanctuary. See Ol Pejeta.

Tanzania highlights

Serengeti

The heart of the migration, with resident lions, cheetah and leopard all year. See Serengeti.

Ngorongoro Crater

A huge volcanic caldera about 600 m deep, with a dense population of animals on its floor and one of the best chances in Tanzania of seeing black rhino. See Ngorongoro.

Tarangire and Lake Manyara

Baobab trees and large elephant herds, best in the dry season from June to October. See Tarangire.

Ruaha and Nyerere (Selous)

Remote parks in the south, reached by light aircraft, with few vehicles.

Zanzibar

White beaches, Stone Town and snorkelling at the end of a safari. See Zanzibar.

How long you need

• 4 to 5 days. One area, such as the Masai Mara, or Ngorongoro and Tarangire.
• 7 to 9 days. The classic Tanzania circuit of Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, or several Kenyan parks.
• 10 to 14 days. Kenya and Tanzania together, or a safari with time on the beach.

Best time to go

The dry season from June to October is the most popular time. January and February are also good, especially for calving in Tanzania. The long rains in April and May bring low prices and green landscapes, but some roads and camps close.

Good to know

• Entry. Most visitors need an electronic travel authorisation for Kenya and a visa for Tanzania. Apply online before you fly.
• Health. Both countries are malaria areas. You may need a yellow fever certificate depending on your route, so ask a travel clinic.
• Fly-in safaris. Light aircraft often limit luggage to 15 kg in a soft bag.
• Gorillas. Add a gorilla trek in Rwanda or Uganda. See gorilla and chimpanzee trekking.