Taking a safari to Kenya and Tanzania will offer you the ultimate East African safari experience. Operation from either Kenya or Tanzania is through its major cities and the region’s development and infrastructure hubs, Dar es Salaam and Kenya. In addition, the countries neighbor each other and are home to many tourist attractions. Some of these attractions cross over to both sides or can be viewed from the other country.
The Kenyan capital, Nairobi, is also home to numerous animal conservancies and a National Park. Nairobi is known as the ‘City Under the Sun.’ A safari to Kenya and Tanzania will leave you with unforgettable memories. These will range from world-class National Parks, beautiful sceneries and natural attractions, and warm weather, to name a few. This article provides some of the places to tour in Kenya and Tanzania.
1. Maasai Mara and Serengeti National Parks
The famous wildebeest migration is experienced in these two parks. The seasonal wildebeest migration begins in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, across the Mara river, full of crocodiles, to the Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya. The herds migrate to greener pastures for biological reasons, such as mating. The cross or Mara river is usually the time for the strongest to survive as the vicious crocodiles struggle to get their daily meal.
Apart from the wildebeest migration, Maasai Mara is full of wildlife. It’s considered the top wildlife viewing park in Kenya. Here you’ll easily see the big five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, rhino) and giraffes. Other animals in the park include the zebras and gazelles, which, too, are involved in the great migration. The park is also home to many reptiles and over 400 species of birds. Maasai Mara, as its name suggest, is situated in the Maasai lands, and cultural entertainment by this iconic tribe is inevitable. The Maasai is an indigenous tribe found in Kenya and Tanzania. While at the Maasai Mara, order a plate of ”nyama choma”.
Serengeti National Park, found in Tanzania, is ranked as the best National Park in Africa. It borders the Maasai Mara National Park, and as noted, it’s part of the wildebeest migration phenomenon. The wildebeest migrate from South Serengeti, across the Ndutu Region, to the Northern Serengeti, before finally crossing to Maasai Mara. Serengeti, therefore, offers the greatest wildebeest migration scene. It is also home to thousands of wildlife and bird species. The park is reported to host the largest number of lions in Africa. Besides the lions, you’ll find; the rest of the big five, big cats, Thompson’s gazelle, zebras, impala, hippo, eland, giraffe, and warthog, among others.
A combined Safari to Kenya and Tanzania of these two places is the best combination to get on your to-do list.
2. Amboseli National Park and Mount Kilimanjaro
Amboseli National Park in Kenya is famous for providing a spectacular sight of Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa. Apart from this breathtaking view of Mt. Kilimanjaro in the background view, Amboseli is home to a large number of wild animals. It’s the place to be for viewing large herds of elephants. The park is also the habitat of over 600 bird species.
Mount Kilimanjaro is found in Tanzania. It’s not only the tallest mountain in Africa but also the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. Mt. Kilimanjaro is also among the seven-word summits, thus making it a great attraction. Mountain climbing is a good adventure at this place. Climbing to the tallest peak, Uhuru Peak, and getting a view of the ash tip with its sulfur smell is breathtaking though demanding. Mount Kilimanjaro Park will cover the part if you’re not interested in mountain climbing. Despite that, the view of the mountain alone is breathtaking.
Moreover, the Ngurudoto crater, located at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro, is a beautiful sight and an exciting area to visit. The Ngurudoto Natural Crater is an old inactive volcano with hot springs, which makes it a great tourist attraction.
3. Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Conservation Area is located in Tanzania. It offers a view of the Ngorongoro Crater, considered one of Africa’s greatest spectacles. Ngorongoro crater is among the largest tourist attractions in Tanzania, with many tourists visiting each year. As a result, the crater is often referred to as the world’s eighth wonder.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area has the highest wildlife density on the whole continent. Therefore, it’s no lie to state that you’ll get a great game-viewing experience. From the beautiful scenery to the wide variety of games and birds, you will love it here. Ngorongoro crater is also a pre-historic site where remains of an ancient man Olduvai Gorge were discovered.
4. Lake Nakuru National Park
It’s among the most popular places in Kenya. Lake Nakuru National Park offers you a wide variety of game drive viewing of the big five, the white and black rhino, Rothchild’s giraffes, and other wildlife. The fantastic spectacle is the lake with its significant number of flamingos.
The vegetation in Lake Nakuru National Park makes it have the most extensive euphoria forests in Africa. The forest provides fantastic viewpoints, including the Baboon cliff, Out of Africa, and Lion hill. Located at the Great Rift Valley base, a drive to Lake Nakuru National Park will offer a good view of the Rift Valley.
To add to the list is Makai Falls, the famous Lake Nakuru landmark that feeds the lake. You’ll also view over 450 bird species in this location. These include the yellow-billed stork, the African fish eagle, flamingos, and other water birds.
5. Tarangire National Park
Located in Tanzania, Tarangire National Park gets its name from the river across the park. It’s located on the way to Ngorongoro crater, and combining these two would be a perfect trip.
Tarangire National Park sits on suitable terrain, ideal for game viewing using binoculars. There are large herds of elephants, with as many as three hundred elephants. The park also hosts the big five. Many zebras, impalas, and buffalos, among other wildlife, are found here. Views of the mountains and Maasai Steppe on the horizon add to the beauty of Tarangire National Park.
6. The Kenya and Tanzania Coast
A safari to the Kenya and Tanzania coasts is the perfect way to let off steam and relax. Both two countries border the Indian Ocean, and their beaches are spectacular. You can lay on the sandy beaches to sunbathe after a long dip into the ocean. The coasts also have exotic resorts to cater to all your needs.
Both coasts are lined with famous ancient towns and monuments, like Fort Jesus in Kenya, which are a sight to behold. You can also visit Mombasa island in Kenya and Zanzibar in Tanzania. The coastal culture is also something worth witnessing and learning. Who knows, you might pick one or two Swahili words if you already don’t know the language.
Conclusion
Touring different regions is a great way to adventure, learn, and have fun. A safari to Kenya and Tanzania will offer you this and much more. If you search for a place to tour, Kenya and Tanzania should be your destination. Enjoy the beauty in these countries from the locations mentioned above. There are a dozen more locations, including the Samburu conservancy, and Hell’s Gate.