Safari planning guide

When most people picture an African safari, they're picturing East Africa: endless golden plains, acacia trees and huge herds of wildebeest on the move.

That's Kenya and Tanzania. Together they're home to the Great Migration, and they're the classic choice for a first safari.

Here's how the two compare, and how I help clients decide.

Kenya or Tanzania?

You really can't go wrong with either, and it's easy to combine the two. The Masai Mara in Kenya and the Serengeti in Tanzania are actually one connected ecosystem, and the migration moves between them through the year.

Kenya

The Masai Mara for big cats and river crossings, hot-air balloon safaris, private conservancies, and easy add-ons like Amboseli's elephants under Kilimanjaro

Tanzania

The vast Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, calving season in January and February, and the beaches of Zanzibar to finish

Where to Go in Kenya

• Masai Mara National Reserve: Kenya's most famous park, known for lions, leopards and cheetahs, and the migration from about July to October. The private conservancies around it offer night drives, walking safaris and far fewer vehicles.
• Amboseli National Park: big elephant herds with Mount Kilimanjaro as the backdrop.
• Samburu National Reserve: a drier, more remote landscape in the north, with species you won't see in the Mara.

River crossings are never guaranteed, which is part of what makes seeing one so special.

Where to Go in Tanzania

• Serengeti National Park: the heart of the Great Migration, with excellent game viewing all year. Different areas are best in different months.
• Ngorongoro Crater: an enormous volcanic crater packed with wildlife, where you can see the Big Five in a single day. It's best as a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch.
• Tarangire and Lake Manyara: smaller parks that pair well with the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, known for elephants.
• Nyerere and Ruaha: remote southern parks for travelers who've already done the classics, and two of the best places to look for wild dogs.

Where the Great Migration Is, Month by Month

MonthWhere the herds usually are

January to MarchSouthern Serengeti (Ndutu), for calving season in January and February

April and MayMoving north through the central Serengeti, during the long rains

June and JulyWestern Serengeti (the Western Corridor)

August and SeptemberNorthern Serengeti and Kenya's Masai Mara, with the Mara River crossings

OctoberStarting the journey back south from the Mara

November and DecemberHeading back toward the southern Serengeti with the short rains

The herds follow the rain, so the timing changes a little every year. River crossings are never guaranteed, which is part of what makes seeing one so special.

When to Go

June to October is the classic dry season, with the best game viewing and the migration in the north. January and February are wonderful too, especially for calving in Tanzania.

April and May bring the long rains. It's low season, with lower rates and fewer people, but some camps close.

See my full month-by-month safari guide for every country.

How Long to Go

Plan on a minimum of 8 days. That gives you time for two or three camps without spending your whole trip in transit.

Pricing varies by camp and season, and I'll give you real numbers once I know your dates.

Finish on the Beach

After a safari in Tanzania, Zanzibar is just a short flight away. It's the perfect place to slow down for a few days, and a favorite add-on for honeymooners.

My Biggest Advice

Decide what you want to see first. If seeing a river crossing is at the top of your list, go in August or September. If you'd love baby animals and fewer people, look at January and February in Tanzania. I'll help you match the month, the parks and the camps.

keep planning

How to choose your safari →Safari planning page →Safari pricing guide →

Ready to start planning your safari?

Plan My Safari

Safari planning guide

Of all the experiences in Africa, spending time with a family of mountain gorillas might be the one people describe as life-changing.

Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park is where Dian Fossey began her famous gorilla research, and today it's one of the best places in the world to see them.

Here's what to know before you go.

What a Trek Day Is Like

• You stay outside the park. Lodges sit near the park edge, and each trek is a guided day trip.
• You'll start early. You'll meet your guides, be matched with a gorilla family, and then hike into the forest to find them.
• The hike varies. Some families are close, and some take longer to reach. The trails are steep, muddy and slippery all year, so good hiking shoes matter.
• It's cool up there. Expect cool, damp days around 15°C (59°F), and colder nights.
• Sightings are very likely. The gorilla families are habituated, and the trackers know where they are.

When to Go

The drier months, June to September, are the most popular because the trails are easier. January and February are also drier.

The rest of the year is wetter, with April usually the wettest month, but treks run year-round. The gorillas don't mind the rain, and the green season brings lower rates.

The gorillas don't mind the rain.

Gorilla Permits

Every trek requires a permit, and the number of permits each day is limited. They sell out first in the June to September high season, so book well ahead. I take care of securing permits for my clients as part of planning the trip.

Beyond the Gorillas

• Golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, a fun second trek
• Nyungwe National Park for chimpanzee trekking, a canopy walk and rainforest birding
• Akagera National Park for a classic savanna safari with the Big Five, plus boat trips
• Lake Kivu for a few relaxing days by the water

How to Add Rwanda to Your Trip

A gorilla trip can be just 4 to 5 days, so it's easy to add to a Kenya or Tanzania safari. Many travelers do the gorillas first and then head to the savanna for game drives.

See my Kenya and Tanzania safari guide for ideas.

What to Pack for a Trek

• Sturdy, broken-in hiking shoes
• A lightweight rain jacket with a hood
• Long pants and long sleeves in neutral colors
• Layers for cool mornings
• A small backpack, water and snacks
• Camera with a spare battery

For the rest of your trip, here's my full safari packing list.

My Biggest Advice

Book early, and give yourself time. An extra day in Rwanda means you can add a second trek or explore beyond the gorillas without rushing.

keep planning

Month-by-month guide →Safari planning page →Safari pricing guide →

Ready to start planning your safari?

Plan My Safari