Best time to visit Kenya & Tanzania

Game drives. Whether you’re watching millions of wildebeest leaping across the Mara River or spotting black rhino in the Ngorongoro Crater, game drives are essential on a trip to Kenya and Tanzania. In both countries, game parks are characterised by unpaved roads, some of which are extremely rough – being bounced around is part of the adventure! Small group tours use purpose-built overland vehicles with open sides, while a tailor made trip will be just you with your own driver guide. Most vacations include several full- or half-day drives, but try to squeeze in a walking safari with local Maasai people or a nighttime game drive in a conservancy, too.

Cycle. The animal-filled wildernesses of northern Tanzania and southern Kenya may not be an obvious choice for a bike ride, but cycling vacations here are a brilliant way to see the area’s famous wildlife and meet local tribespeople. Cycling covers more ground than walking safaris and makes a welcome break from a juddery jeep, bringing you thrillingly close to the landscape. Cycling trips are ideal for families with teens, too. Instead of passively sitting in a vehicle, they will be pedaling through national parks and fishing villages. These trips are fully guided and supported, with game drives included for when a tourist on two wheels would be too tempting to resident predators!

In your eagerness to spot wildlife, don’t ignore the people and culture of this region. The Maasai live in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania and have a long relationship with tourism. Maasai-owned conservancies, camps and lodges offer walking safaris and craft, dance and warrior demonstrations. For most visitors, this can be a highlight of a trip to Kenya and Tanzania, while for the Maasai it provides vital income. Just be sure to travel with an ethical operator.

Rule out a family vacation. Traveling in Kenya and Tanzania with kids is perfectly doable. Kenya is on a par with South Africa for ease of travel and its established tourism industry has produced an excellent network of accommodation, from comfy campsites to luxe lodges with swimming pools. The Masai Mara is compact, reducing driving times, and the Great Migration’s peak happily plays out during school vacations. Tanzania’s northern circuit is a one-stop-shop for safari experiences, with lots of places to stop and ogle wildlife. Choose a small group family adventure or tailor-made trip, both of which will include guides skilled at engaging youngsters. Consider adding on a few days to relax on the coast or on Zanzibar, too.

View it all through a lens. When on a game drive or bushwalk, remember to put your camera down and soak up the experience!

"Research, research, research and find the right safari for you. Get exact information/itineraries. Check all prices and facts. Safaris are expensive vacations and with so many variations to choose from, it is worth talking personally to operators, rather than relying on looking online.” – Sally Moir

“Read the itinerary carefully and be prepared for long, dusty truck journeys, fondly referred to as having an ‘African massage’, as roads are very bumpy and have more craters than hard sections. Perhaps choose a vacation which centres at one place for 2-3 days and journey out from that centre.” – Lesley Halliday

“Don’t forget your bug spray and put it on! Space in the truck is fairly limited but you don’t need too many clothes, you’ll have opportunities to wash clothes most days, one of the campsites even has dry cleaning. Remember to bring some warm clothes and a waterproof top.” – Nick Walker

“The safari camps are quite basic, so although camping means you get very much closer to nature –we had jackals and zebra actually come through our camps at night – and although the support team did a great job making us as comfortable as possible, some experience of camping is probably an advantage.” – Marie Lenstrup

“Be in good condition, have a bit of biking practice beforehand and go for some uphills. Otherwise you will struggle a bit... Bring a camera with a decent zoom. If you want luxury this is not for you!” – Roman Holderbach on a biking vacation

“The environment is very fragile and visited by many tourists. Make sure to travel with agencies which you can be sure comply with the highest possible standards in terms of responsibility towards nature and the local community. Double check if possible any reference.” – Tomas Gregersen