Kenya or Tanzania

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cdiver2

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My wife and I are looking into a trip to Africa with me doing all the research.
I have a friend that did Tanzania and recommended it but I can not make my mind up. Bucket list to see Lions, cheetah, leopard all the rest of the African game seem to be plenty full and easy to see. I would also like to see the Masai Mara (Kenya) , Serengeti (Tanzania) and Kilimanjaro.
Looking at safaris that do Kenya to Tanzania they seem to spend a lot of time traveling from A-B-C etc and I don't know how much of a chance I would have to see the cats along the way. Perhaps I would be better off staying in one of the reserves and doing a couple of game drives every day. Has anyone on the board got any experience with African safaris?
 
Many years ago we did a week in Tanzania, went to the Rift Valley, serengeti, and the Ngorogoro Crater, we saw all the big five except for Leopard, including a cheatah with 4 cubs on full hunt, we were also lucky enough to see Rhino in the crater.

If i were going again i wouldn't hesitate to go back to Tanzania, can't speak for Kenya, as with any wildlife though its the luck of the draw and a good guide.
 
Can't recommend Kenya enough. We went on one of the tours that meant we stayed at 4/5 different places, and although the travelling can be a little tough, it's entirely worth it. (Hint - get a blow up cushion to sit on in the van. It may seem like nothing, but it really helps!) You also have to get used to early mornings and late-ish nights, but as I said, more than worth a bit of fatigue.
We saw the Big 5 in no time at all, even the elusive leopard! We were very lucky. Even if you don't see the big guys, the rest of the wildlife out there will keep you and your camera nicely occupied.

I'd be more than welcome to answer any questions you had :)

Rhys.
 
I've been to Kenya twice and Tanzania once. I've seen all three big cats on all three trips. Personally I prefer Kenya. If I were to go back I'd want to do a few days at Samburu, one day at Lake Naivasha and several days in the Mara. Images here.

My one trip to Tanzania was to Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and The Serengeti. Images here.
 
Thanks Lady's and gents, I am devouring all the info and have come to the conclusion it would be better picking one area and doing game drives every day for a chance to see all the cats as opposed to spending time traveling from A-B.
Please keep up the posts and if possible who you went on safari with, number of people that shared the vehicle with, did you go off road If you don't mind a ball park price as I have been reading some have coolers in the vehicle some don't some have unlimited water/soft drinks and some limit the amount of water they give you
Thanks all for the replies.
 
I don't go on safari as I much prefer the wildlife found in local bars in town. Nairobi has calmed down quite a bit and is no longer saddled with 'Nairobbery' as a nick name.Its a fun town and worth a few days as is Dar though I found Dar to be a bit over priced. If you opt for Tanzania then a trip to Zanzabar is an absolute must. The place is a UN world heritage site and way cool photo opts. abound. The food also rocks.

Malaria.
The first time I had it was in Kenya. You can pop malaria pills but in my experience they make you go batty and your hair might fall out. Happened to me. Long sleeves and trousers in the evenings and don't be stingy with the bug juice. Make sure to slap some on yer bare arse as to avoid getting bit whilst pinchin a loaf. Mosquitoes love to linger in toilets.
 
edthesock said:
I don't go on safari as I much prefer the wildlife found in local bars in town. Nairobi has calmed down quite a bit and is no longer saddled with 'Nairobbery' as a nick name.Its a fun town and worth a few days as is Dar though I found Dar to be a bit over priced. If you opt for Tanzania then a trip to Zanzabar is an absolute must. The place is a UN world heritage site and way cool photo opts. abound. The food also rocks.

Malaria.
The first time I had it was in Kenya. You can pop malaria pills but in my experience they make you go batty and your hair might fall out. Happened to me. Long sleeves and trousers in the evenings and don't be stingy with the bug juice. Make sure to slap some on yer bare arse as to avoid getting bit whilst pinchin a loaf. Mosquitoes love to linger in toilets.
Click to expand...

I think this is dependent on what tablets you take. I have used Doxycycline in the past and the only issues I had were an increase in thirst, skin is a little more sensitive to the sun, alcohol has a little bit more of an effect however all these disadvantages don't outweight the prevention of malaria.

I know a chap who spent time in Africa with the army in his younger days, whilst there he caught malaria and lost nearly a stone in weight over 24hrs. He still has flair ups now every 2 years or so. Once you have malaria it stays with you, don't risk it. However you need to cover up and use repellent all the same as the tablets are only 85-90% effective :thumbs:
 
Kenya and Tanzania are both good. Seeing lion and cheetah should be easy, but leopard are secretive and largely crepuscular/nocturnal. You have to be lucky, or have a guide who knows where they are most likely to be.

Please take malaria seriously, and discuss it with a doctor who knows about tropical diseases. It's the biggest killer in Africa. Two of my friends wound up in ICU when they got back to SA after a fishing trip to Mozambique, and one of them nearly didn't make it.
 
edthesock said:
I always thought that myself but was told otherwise by the Dr. last time I had it.:)
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There are different types of malaria, and I believe some can recur shortly after the first attack for various reasons, or lie dormant for long periods. I was infected in Africa when I was a kid, and I still get symptoms occaisonally. Probably exacerbated by giving up drinking years ago. Gin and tonic was a good antidote!;)
 
Good decision to avoid travelling long distances between reserves.
5 years ago we went to Kenya and Tanzania with First Choice for 1 week and really the time spent travelling by road was a complete waste.
The alternative would be to fly between reserves but there is a cost penalty.

Last year we decided to spend a week in 1 reserve and we chose to to travel to South Africa with Thomas Cook.
The reserve we chose was the Madikwe reserve which meant a flight in a really small plane from Jo'burg, quite exciting.

There are advantages and disadvantages both ways.
Going to several reserves means that you visit more varied habitats ranging from quite large savannah to dense bush.
In Madikwe although both types of environment were there they were smaller than in East Africa.
In other words, although there was some savannah in S.Africa we didn't see the huge open expanses like you would see in the Serengeti.
The way round that would be to stay in a single reserve but choose a big one.
 
edthesock said:
I always thought that myself but was told otherwise by the Dr. last time I had it.:)
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MartynK said:
There are different types of malaria, and I believe some can recur shortly after the first attack for various reasons, or lie dormant for long periods. I was infected in Africa when I was a kid, and I still get symptoms occaisonally. Probably exacerbated by giving up drinking years ago. Gin and tonic was a good antidote!;)
Click to expand...

There are a few different types, but its not worth risking it for any of them :thumbs:
 
We have been on safari in Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana and South Africa and they are all quite different.

Botswana (Okavango) was fantastic but very expensive. South Africa (Kruger) I found disappointing.

No shortage of cats or any of the big five in Tanzania or Kenya.

If you go to Tanzania, the Ngorongora Crater is a must. It is like a zoo in the crater (20 kms across) because most of the animals live there and cannot get out. However, it is a bit touristy.

We went to Kenya last November and stayed 2 nights in each of 4 different camps (Amboseli, Laikipia and 2 in the Mara). The game was amazing. There were more animals than I have ever seen on any of the other safaris. The thing I did not like so much was the emphasis on the Masai. Yes, it was interesting to learn about them, but I did not need to see Masai dancing and spear throwing at each camp.

I think my favourite was a Tanzanian safari when we went to the Ruaha and the Selous. Both are very remote and not at all touristy, which is what we prefer.

I agree with edthesock, if you have time, Zanzibar is well worth a visit.

Jenny
 
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I am going to kenya next friday for a honeymoon/safari. We are out on safari for 4 days, i would preferred more but the wife is happier beside the pool! We are visiting Amboseli, Tsavo East and Tsavo west. I will gladly give you any info i can when i get back if it helps you.

Phil
 
I'd say Kenya first.
Go for a safari to Maasai Maria first where you'll see majority of the game. Then off to Mombasa for some beach relaxation for a week...

Kenya's infrastructure is much better established and geared for visitors compared to Tanzania.

In Tanzania, best lace for viewing game would be Ngorongoro Crater.

The again, I'm biased as I'm from Kenya :)
You'll have a great time and don't forget the camera where ever u go.
 
Thanks everyone for the information. I think we are going for Tanzania.
You are correct on the malaria info we have traveled to Papua New guinea and along the Indonesia chain of islands, and took the appropriate meds with no side affects at all.....or malaria:)
All we have to do is sort out what group to use. I found one that would give us every thing we wanted but.....$10,000+ each not including air fare :gag:
 
I have been to Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe,Zambia and Malawi. Often travelling independently but also by overland truck trips.If I was to go again I would choose Botswana or Zambia - South Luangwa Valley.
 
I went to Kenya by myself on a weeks safari and went to several different reserves, even got to see the wildebeast migration which was out of this world and incredible. The group I joined with then went on to do a week in Tanzania and I really wished I could taken the extra week off work and stay with the group - one of my biggest regrets so far in my short life!!! :bonk:

I went with a company called imaginative traveller, we had local guides and travelled round on a truck - not sure if that's your kinda thing though
 
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