East Africa vs. Southern Africa: Where to go on safari

Written by: Joseph Mbotte, Local Expert

Many travelers dream of experiencing an African Safari, a once in a lifetime adventure immersed in the savannas and woodlands of Africa’s wilderness. When it comes to safari destinations, several countries in both East and Southern Africa stand out as offering exceptional safaris. Including iconic game reserves, national parks and conservancies all creating the platform for dramatic animal showdowns, bush walks and breathtaking sunsets.

There are a few factors to consider when thinking about whether to enjoy your safari adventure in one of the Southern Africa countries of South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe or Zambia or in the wilderness of East Africa’s Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

East Africa Allure

Tourism in East Africa has a large focus on safaris and wildlife conservation. Their national parks, game reserves and conservancies in both Kenya and Tanzania are expansive, comprising diverse terrain and a plethora of wildlife roaming vast plains and woodlands. When embarking on an East Africa safari, the focus is primarily about seeing animals and doing so in a variety of parks as visitors travel the ‘safari circuit’.

An absolute highlight has to be getting the chance to witness the Great Migration, a dramatic scene depicting thousands of wildebeest as they stampede across the Mara River as they travel between Kenya’s Masai Mara and the Serengeti in Tanzania in search of water.

Southern Africa Attraction

Southern African national parks and private game reserves vary in size and location. There are many private options offering off-road permission to get close to sightings of the ‘Big Five’ and a few even conduct night drives. Some conservancies in South Africa offer a wonderful array of alternate safari activities such as horse-back riding or mountain safaris.

In Botswana, they offer a ‘mokoro’ or dug out canoe ride along the Okavango Delta as a unique safari experience. The Chobe Game Reserve offers both water and land game activities, while South Luangwa, a sustainable reserve, is noted as the pioneer of the walking safari. South Africa is home to Africa’s oldest game park, the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi park, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal and home to the ‘Big Five’.

Games Drives in East Africa vs. Southern Africa

One of the key differences between enjoying a safari in East Africa versus Southern Africa is in how game drives are conducted. In the parks and reserves of East Africa, game drives involve enclosed 4×4 vehicles equipped with large windows and pop-up roofs to enhance the guests’ game viewing. Game drives are usually conducted in the early morning and late afternoon, with the occasional full-day safari as an option.

In Southern Africa, early morning and late afternoon game drives are conducted in open 4×4 vehicles. Both enclosed and open-vehicle options aim to seat a maximum of six guests in the vehicle to ensure everyone has a great view of their surroundings.

In East Africa it is quite common for safari-goers to combine a few game reserves and national parks. In Kenya most game parks are accessed by road, some journeys taking between four and six hours. Flights are available between major parks such as Masai Mara and Amboseli for those guests who wish to cut down their travel time.

Tanzania’s Northern Circuit is a popular way to experience four or five of the country’s key safari destinations, visitors usually moving from one to another in the comfort of their enclosed 4×4 vehicle by road. Southern Africa’s safari circuit is mostly connected via air transfers on light aircrafts that carry a handful of guests from one safari destination to another.

What are some other must-see activities beyond safari?

While a safari is the key focus for visitors spending time in either East or Southern Africa, there are some further considerations that come into play when choosing where to visit. In East Africa there are many opportunities for guests to enjoy other activities such as a cultural village visit with a Maasai tribe located close to their game lodge or camp.

The option to add on either a gorilla trekking experience in Uganda or Rwanda is a draw for some while others may enjoy a post-safari beach escape. This is easy to combine with an East African safari, as coastal gem Mombasa and island paradise Zanzibar are only a short drive, flight or ferry away.

In Southern Africa the combination of ‘city & safari’ is quite popular with visitors. Visitors are easily able to combine a safari in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe or Zambia with a few days in Cape Town and the nearby Winelands. A huge pull for visiting Southern Africa has to be getting to spend a couple of days near the magnificent Victoria Falls.

Whether you choose to go on a safari in East Africa or Southern Africa, the experience will be extraordinary. Deciding factors such as how long you wish to be on safari, is wildlife viewing your only focus or are you looking to combine your safari adventure with a city escape or beach getaway are important to consider. Both regions offer outstanding lodges and camps with qualified guides sharing the secrets and wonders of the African bush.