When planning your safari, consider the best time to visit each location to ensure optimal wildlife viewing and weather conditions. The idealism of that era is still very much alive, and African safari trips have their roots in the Golden Age of the best luxury African safari.
Kenya
1. Masai Mara National Reserve
- Best for: The Great Migration (July to October)
- Highlights: Spectacular wildebeest migration, Big Five, Masai culture, hot air balloon safaris, luxury and budget-friendly lodges.
2. Amboseli National Park
- Best for: Views of Mount Kilimanjaro
- Highlights: Large elephant herds, stunning views of Kilimanjaro, diverse birdlife, seasonal swamps, and observation hill.
3. Samburu National Reserve
- Best for: Unique wildlife species
- Highlights: Unique species like the Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, Beisa oryx, and reticulated giraffe. Scenic landscapes, Ewaso Ng’iro River.
4. Lake Nakuru National Park
- Best for: Birdwatching
- Highlights: Flamingos, rhinos, lions, and leopards. Scenic lake views, Makalia Waterfall.
5. Tsavo National Parks (East and West)
- Best for: Vast wilderness
- Highlights: Large elephant herds, diverse landscapes, Mzima Springs, Yatta Plateau, and the Lugard Falls.
Tanzania
1. Serengeti National Park
- Best for: The Great Migration
- Highlights: Endless plains, wildebeest migration, Big Five, mobile camps, calving season (January to March), luxury lodges.
2. Ngorongoro Crater
- Best for: Scenic landscapes and dense wildlife
- Highlights: Volcanic caldera, high density of wildlife, Maasai culture, black rhinos, breathtaking views.
3. Tarangire National Park
- Best for: Elephant herds and baobab trees
- Highlights: Large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, seasonal swamps, diverse birdlife, and unique landscapes.
4. Lake Manyara National Park
- Best for: Birdwatching and tree-climbing lions
- Highlights: Flamingos, diverse birdlife, tree-climbing lions, groundwater forest, scenic lake views.
5. Selous Game Reserve (now part of Nyerere National Park)
- Best for: Remote wilderness
- Highlights: Boat safaris, walking safaris, diverse ecosystems, less crowded, large elephant and buffalo herds.
6. Ruaha National Park
- Best for: Off-the-beaten-path experience
- Highlights: Large predator populations, baobab-studded landscapes, diverse birdlife, remote and rugged wilderness.
Combination Safaris
For an unforgettable experience, consider a combination safari that includes both countries:
- Masai Mara (Kenya) + Serengeti (Tanzania): Witness the Great Migration in both reserves
- Northern Circuit (Tanzania) + Mara (Kenya): Combine Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Masai Mara for an extensive safari experience.