Africa is BIG, and full of incredible experiences that vary from country to country, and region to region. Traveling from Marrakesh, Morocco, to Cape Town, South Africa, is approximately 4,800 miles – a distance comparable to flying from New York City to Santiago, Chile!

How big is Africa? North America would fit into Africa with an area the size of Europe to spare. It has a land area of nearly 12 million square miles. It’s approximately 5,000 miles long from north or south, and 3,700 miles wide from east to west.

Due to the impressive size and diversity of the African continent, we recommend choosing to focus a trip on a region like East or Southern, or on one fascinating country.

Many people ask about the differences between a safari in East or Southern Africa. Whether you choose East or Southern, the safari experience will be extraordinary.

East or Southern Africa – Choosing Your Safari:

Southern Africa

Africa Easy founder, Nadia Eckhardt, was born and raised in Cape Town, and returns home each year!

The diversity found in Southern Africa is astounding. You can view whales off the coast of South Africa, go on a wine tour in the Cape Winelands, explore one of the most famous waterfront cities, see the Big 5 on safari, and look down on one of the world’s wonders at Victoria Falls.

Countries included in the Southern Africa region:
Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Best time of year to visit:
During the dry winter season – approximately May to October – ideal for summer travel from the northern hemisphere.

5 Reasons to Choose a Southern Africa Safari:
– Cape Town, one of the world’s most spectacular waterfront cities, was voted the top spot to see by the New York Times in 2014. A visit to Cape Town is easily combined on a trip with excellent safari camps in Southern Africa.
– Victoria Falls, one of the world wonders, can be seen from Zambia and Zimbabwe. Explore from a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River to a walking tour of the falls.
– Choose from a wide variety of activities on safari. Zambia is known as the home of the walking safari! Botswana offers land and water-based camps, where one day you can explore on a game drive, and the next in a mokoro (canoe).
– See a land of contrasts, from the beaches of South Africa to desert of Namibia, to the wetlands of Botswana. Southern Africa has a wide diversity of landscapes.
– A more exclusive overall safari experience. Generally speaking, Southern Africa has smaller camps with low guest numbers and wildlife viewing on private concessions.

East Africa

The classic safari experience was born in East Africa, made famous in part by authors like Ernest Hemingway, who said, “I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up that I was not happy.”

East Africa has some of most iconic destinations, from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara, and Ngorongoro Crater and Mount Kilimanjaro. Beyond the classic safari experience in East Africa, you may wish to combine gorilla trekking in Rwanda/Uganda or chimp trekking in Western Tanzania or close the journey with the tropical island of Zanzibar.

Countries included in the East Africa region:
Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda

Best time of year to visit:
Cooler dry winter season (June – October)
East Africa has two rainy seasons: ‘longer rains’ from early April to May, and a shorter rain from late October to November.

5 Reasons to Choose an East Africa Safari:
– The wildebeest migration is often called the “greatest show on earth” and is a major draw to East Africa. The sight of hundreds and thousands of wildebeest is a spectacle unlike any other.
– See a picturesque scene of wide open plains and grasslands with large numbers of wildlife.
– Take an opportunity to learn about local life with cultural experiences on visits to local tribes and bush walks with Masaai.
– Witness gorillas and chimpanzees in their natural environment. Nadia Eckhardt led a private group in 2014 to view chimps in remote Tanzania and gorillas in Republic of Congo. She’d be happy to share more about her experience and tips for planning a trip to see gorillas and chimps in the wild.
– Live like “Life’s a beach!” After days spent on game drives or on bush walks, or perhaps summiting the tallest mountain in Africa, change gears from safari to beach on the island of Zanzibar. Close a diverse, incredible trip on a tropical island.

Our team has traversed the continent and would be happy to talk with you about your individual goals to help choose the best trip for you. Contact us with questions on planning your trip.