Tanzania and Kenya are East Africa’s top big 5 game destinations. Boasting of their breathtaking landscapes, Kenya and Tanzania are the 2 places where the world’s greatest spectacle of wildlife can be experienced- the wildebeest migration. The two premier wildlife safari destinations have plenty of opportunities for tourists to explore and experience different wildlife in the wild.
Kenya wildlife safaris are done in various protected areas. Located in East Africa, Kenya offers the best wildlife tours in both national parks and reserves. If your dream experience is the wildebeest migration, then no better place is worth visiting on Kenya safaris than the Masai Mara. This sweeping 1510sq.km nature reserve is where the annual wildebeest migration occurs in East Africa, and millions of wildebeest, elands, zebras, etc can be observed while crossing the Mara River.
Other leading safari destinations in Kenya include Aberdare National Park, Tsavo Parks- Tsavo East and West, Lake Nakuru, Samburu National Reserve, Amboseli National Park, Mount Kenya N/Park, etc. To enjoy the best of Kenya wildlife safaris, there are plentiful of exciting activities to indulge in and they include guided game drives, hot air balloon tours, walking tours, boat cruises, canoeing, horseback, wildebeest migration safaris, birding, and more.
A Kenya wildlife tour is a great opportunity to enjoy the view of diverse animals. These include impalas, zebras, lions, gazelles, hippos, cheetahs, leopards, wildebeest, buffaloes, elephants, warthogs, kobs, topis, hyenas, and others.
Tanzania wildlife ‑explore Tanzania, one of the leading big five game viewing destinations. Game/wildlife tours in Tanzania are possible across most of its pristine parks and national reserves. The prime destinations for wildlife safaris in Tanzania include Lake Manyara, Serengeti National Park, Ruaha National Park, Ngorongoro Crater/Conservation Area, Selous Game Reserve, Gombe National Park, Mikumi, etc.
The wildebeest migration
In Tanzania and Kenya, the wildebeest migration is the main reason why the two destinations are bucket list on most of the African safari packages. The best time to enjoy wildebeest migration is during the dry months, specifically July to August. The birthing season for wildebeest is from December to February.
Wildebeest migration in Kenya occurs in the Masai Mara National Reserve which is set in the far Southwestern part, Narok county. In Tanzania, the best destination to consider for wildebeest migration tours is Serengeti National Park, one of the leading parks in the Northern tourist circuit.
When to travel for gorilla & wildlife safaris?
Gorilla and wildlife safaris in Africa are enjoyable at any time of the year, although the dry months are the most preferred. The dry months are the best months of the year to visit mountain gorillas or go game viewing to see the big 5 game. For gorilla trekking, consider traveling to Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC around June, July, August, September, and December, January to February. To enjoy wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara, Serengeti, visit Kenya/Tanzania from July to August.