Many people ask Africa Easy what the main differences are between a safari in East Africa and one in Southern Africa. We usually highlight three points that easily summarize what we feel are the primary differences for a first-time safari-goer. Perhaps this will get you thinking about which sort of experiences you prefer and where you should visit on your first safari. Contact us today to start planning your East or Southern Africa safari!
1) The Migration. Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti eco-system is home to the largest land-based migration in the world. The herbivores – wildebeest, zebra and Thompson gazelle – migrate in a clock-wise movement through the Serengeti and the Masai Mara following the green grasses. Generally speaking, the peak months for the migration in Tanzania are January-early June (with the long rains in May) and late June/early July-October in Kenya. There is not a comparable migration in Southern Africa (although there are several smaller migrations that happen in the Kalahari and areas of Linyanti/Savute and Chobe in Botswana. If it’s herds of hundreds and sometimes thousands of animals you are keen to spot, Kenya or Tanzania is your best bet! Remember that not all species migrate and that we cannot time the migration of those who do! We’ll give it our best shot to put you in the right camps for the right time of the year. Plan well in advance (at least one year in some cases) to ensure availability at our favorite camps and lodges.
2) Landscape. East Africa offers large, expansive plains – the image that travelers often think of as typical African scene. Most safaris are done by 4×4 vehicle with a mixture of driving and flying. Water activities are not as prevalent as in Botswana, Zambia or Zimbabwe. Walking is also not as common, but available in private reserves. In Southern Africa landscapes vary significantly, especially in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe where a mixture or dry land, waterways, lakes and deserts make up the topography. A variety of landscapes also means a variety of activities – boating, canoe trips (mokoro), 4×4 game drives and walking. Many wilderness areas in Southern Africa are private reserves, while many wilderness areas in East Africa are national parks and game reserves. Rules and regulations for game activities and numbers of visitors vary within each.
3) Culture. East Africa tends to offer a more intact traditional/tribal cultural experience than most places in Southern Africa (there are, of course, exceptions such as the San people or Himba). Many Maasai, Samburu, Datoga and other tribes live traditional lifestyles in East Africa, wearing handcrafted beads, clothing in the style that their ancestors wore years ago and living in traditional homes. Many ethnic groups in Southern Africa (such as South Africa’s Zulu) live a more contemporary lifestyle on a regular basis. Another primary difference is that in many places in East Africa the local populations, such as the Maasai, are allowed to be within the game areas and are not always far removed from wilderness areas as they are in Southern Africa.
Photos by Africa Easy.
