The short answer
- Shorter trip
- Kenya
- Bigger wilderness
- Tanzania
- Migration Jul to Oct
- Kenya's Masai Mara
- Migration Dec to Mar
- Tanzania's southern Serengeti
Kenya and Tanzania share the same ecosystem: the Masai Mara is the northern tip of the Serengeti, and the same herds cross between them. The differences are in scale, cost, travel times and the rest of the trip.
Side by side
| Kenya | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Signature parks | Masai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Samburu | Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire |
| Great Migration | Masai Mara, usually July to October | Serengeti most of the year; calving December to March |
| Key park fees | Masai Mara US$100 to 200 a day; Amboseli and Nakuru US$90 | Serengeti about US$83 a day; Ngorongoro Crater US$295 per vehicle per descent, plus entry |
| Getting around | Short drives from Nairobi; 3 day safaris possible | Longer distances from Arusha; 5 days or more is better |
| Crowds | Busy in the Mara in peak season; quieter conservancies | The Serengeti is much larger, so it spreads out more |
| Beach | Diani, Watamu, Lamu | Zanzibar, a short flight away |
| Typical cost | Often lower for short trips | Often higher, especially with flights |
Fees for non resident adults, rounded, checked October 2026. They change often: confirm before booking.
Which suits you?
What matters most?
Choose an answer to see what we recommend.
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- Only 3 or 4 days: Kenya
- The Masai Mara is a short drive or flight from Nairobi, so even a short safari works.
- Travelling July to October: Kenya, or both
- The migration is usually in the Masai Mara, with river crossings in August and September.
- Travelling January to March: Tanzania
- Calving season on the southern Serengeti plains, with big predator action.
- Safari and beach: Tanzania and Zanzibar, or Kenya and Diani
- Zanzibar is the more famous island; Diani is easy from Nairobi.
- Best value: Kenya
- Shorter distances and road based group safaris keep costs down.
- Two weeks or more: Both
- Combine the Masai Mara with the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, crossing at the Namanga or Isebania border, or fly between Nairobi and Arusha.
Combining Kenya and Tanzania
A combined safari of 10 to 14 days usually starts in Nairobi, visits the Masai Mara and Amboseli, then crosses to Tanzania for the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, finishing in Arusha or on Zanzibar. You need entry permission for both countries, and the border crossing adds time.
Compare Tanzania safaris and Kenya safaris, and plan the Tanzania side with our Tanzania safari itineraries and migration tracker.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Kenya or Tanzania better for a first safari?
Kenya is easier for a short first safari, as the Masai Mara is close to Nairobi. Tanzania is better if you have a week or more and want the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Which is cheaper, Kenya or Tanzania?
Kenya is often cheaper for short safaris thanks to shorter drives and road based group tours. Longer trips cost similar amounts in both, depending on the lodges.
Can you see the Great Migration in both countries?
Yes. The herds spend most of the year in Tanzania's Serengeti and usually July to October in Kenya's Masai Mara.
Kenya month by month
More Kenya guides
Best time to visit Kenya: safari seasons, rains and the migration
June to October and January to February are the best months for a Kenya safari, with dry weather and animals gathered near water. July to October adds the Great Migration in the Masai Mara, at peak prices.
Updated 16 October 2026
The Great Migration in Kenya: when and where to see it
Around 1.5 million wildebeest, with zebras and gazelles, circle between Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Masai Mara. They are usually in the Mara from July to October, with river crossings peaking in August and September.
Updated 16 October 2026
How much does a Kenya safari cost? Prices, park fees and a calculator
Expect about US$150 to 250 per person per day on a budget safari, US$300 to 500 mid range and US$700 or more for luxury, including park fees. Park fees alone can be US$200 to 600 per person on a short Masai Mara trip.
Updated 16 October 2026
Masai Mara safari guide: reserve or conservancy, how long and how to get there
The Masai Mara is Kenya's most famous safari, with big cats all year and the Great Migration from July to October. Choose between the busy national reserve and quieter private conservancies, and allow at least two or three nights.
Updated 16 October 2026