Tanzania and Kenya share the same ecosystem in the north, including the Serengeti–Mara and the Great Migration. Both have excellent guides and lodges. The differences are in size, crowds, travel style and what you can add to a trip.
At a glance
| Tanzania | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Signature parks | Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Ruaha, Nyerere | Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, Tsavo |
| Size of parks | Very large, e.g. Serengeti about 14,750 km² | Smaller, e.g. Masai Mara about 1,500 km² |
| Migration | Most of the year: calving, the west and river crossings | Around July–October |
| Crowds | Spread over larger areas | Busy at Mara crossings in peak season |
| Private conservancies | Fewer | Many, with night drives and walking |
| Beach | Zanzibar, Pemba, Mafia | Diani, Lamu, Watamu |
| Mountain | Kilimanjaro, Meru | Mount Kenya |
| Cost | Higher park fees | Often slightly lower |
Why choose Tanzania
- Space: the Serengeti alone is about ten times the size of the Masai Mara.
- The Ngorongoro Crater, with dense wildlife and rhinos.
- Migration year-round, including calving in the south. Read about the Great Migration.
- Easy to add Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar.
- Wild, remote southern and western parks.
Why choose Kenya
- Shorter drives and a dense concentration of game in the Mara.
- Private conservancies with flexible activities.
- Easy flight connections through Nairobi.
Do both
Many travellers combine them, crossing at Namanga or Isebania or flying between Arusha and Nairobi. Read our comparison of the Serengeti and the Masai Mara.
See Mara crossing for the river crossings on the Tanzanian side.
Frequently asked questions
Both are excellent. Tanzania offers more space and easy add-ons like Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro; Kenya has shorter drives and private conservancies.
Mostly in Tanzania’s Serengeti for most of the year, crossing into Kenya’s Masai Mara around July to October.
Yes, by road via the Namanga border or by flying between Arusha and Nairobi.
