Tanzania vs Kenya vs Botswana: Safari Comparator 2026

A 7-night mid-range safari in Tanzania (Serengeti + Ngorongoro + Tarangire) all-inclusive sits between €1,750 (shoulder season) and €3,500 (peak July-October). Excellent value for the diversity of parks.

Kenya mid-range is very close to Tanzania: €1,600-3,800 for 7 nights with Masai Mara + Amboseli or Samburu. Slightly cheaper at entry-level, slightly pricier at the top of mid-range.

Botswana has no real "mid-range" market. Even the cheapest options start around €4,500 for 7 nights because most camps are small (8-12 tents) in private concessions. Entry-level Botswana = mid-luxury elsewhere.

Luxury Tanzania (Serengeti North, Singita, andBeyond properties): €4,200-7,500 for 7 nights. Premium tented camps with private decks, hot air balloon, top guides.

Luxury Kenya (private conservancies around Masai Mara — Mara North, Mara Naboisho): €4,800-8,500 for 7 nights. Walking safaris, night drives, off-road allowed in conservancies.

KWS charges $80/day for Amboseli. Masai Mara Reserve charges $200/day (high season July-Oct) or $100/day (low season). Private conservancies have separate fees ($100-150/day) on top of bed-night levies.

DWNP charges $50/day for foreigners in national parks. Most luxury Botswana safaris happen in private concessions where park fees are included in the camp rate (which is why total cost is high).

Kenya hosts 400+ mammal species across very varied habitats: Masai Mara grasslands, Amboseli swamps, Samburu semi-arid north, Mount Kenya forests, Tsavo bush. Diversity of landscapes is unmatched.

Botswana has 160+ mammal species — fewer than Tanzania/Kenya but with unique water-based wildlife (sitatunga, red lechwe). Largest African elephant population in the world (~130,000). Wild dogs more common here than anywhere.

Kenya has all Big Five but rhino sightings require specific parks (Ol Pejeta, Lewa, Lake Nakuru — not Masai Mara). Plan 1-2 days in a rhino conservancy to guarantee. Lions and elephants very reliable.

Botswana lost its wild black rhino population to poaching. Rhinos exist only in protected sanctuaries (Mokolodi, Khama Rhino Sanctuary). The Big Five myth needs an asterisk in Botswana. Best lions/leopards/elephants in Africa though.

The Migration crosses into Kenya (Masai Mara) only Jul-Oct, then returns to Tanzania. The Mara River crossings are spectacular but the time window is narrow. Outside Jul-Oct, the Mara has resident wildlife but no migration.

Botswana is not part of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. The Great Migration does not pass through Botswana. The closest wildlife event is the zebra migration in Makgadikgadi (smaller scale, less reliable).

Kilimanjaro (JRO) has no direct flights from Europe. Best options: Qatar via Doha, Turkish via Istanbul, Emirates via Dubai, KLM via Amsterdam, Ethiopian via Addis. Total 14-18 hours.

No direct flights from Europe to Maun (MUB) or Kasane (BBK). Typically 2 stops: Europe → Johannesburg → Maun. Or Europe → Doha → Johannesburg → Maun. Total 14-20 hours including transit.

Tanzania e-Visa for EU citizens: USD 50, applied online via eservices.immigration.go.tz, processed in 2-5 business days. Visa-on-arrival also available at JRO but online is faster and safer.

Kenya replaced the visa with an eTA (electronic Travel Authorization) in January 2024: USD 30, fully online, approved within 3 days typically. Simpler than Tanzania.

Serengeti can have 20-30 vehicles at a single lion sighting in July-October. Central Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater are the most crowded. The North (Kogatende) and South (Ndutu) are much quieter.

Masai Mara National Reserve gets very crowded July-October — 50+ vehicles at a river crossing is common. Private conservancies around the Mara (Mara North, Naboisho, Olare Motorogi) limit vehicles and feel exclusive.

Kenya offers Diani Beach (south of Mombasa) and Lamu Island. Beaches are good but coral reef pressure and beach hawkers make the experience less serene than Zanzibar. Lamu is wonderful but logistically harder.

Botswana is landlocked. To add beach, you fly to Mozambique (Benguerra, Bazaruto), Zanzibar via Johannesburg, or Mauritius. Each adds 1-2 transit days and significant cost. Most Botswana safaris stay in Botswana.

Kenya is great year-round but peak is July-October for migration. Jan-Feb and June are also excellent (less crowded). The "short rains" (Nov) and "long rains" (April-May) reduce visibility.

Botswana is best May-October when the Okavango Delta floodwaters arrive (paradoxically — they come from Angola rain). November-March is hot and wet, many camps close. Tight season window.

Kenya is also strong for first-timers, especially July-October. Easier flights help. Slight downside: Masai Mara alone can feel less varied than a Tanzania circuit. Combine with Amboseli for diversity.

Botswana is fantastic but the cost-per-experience for first-timers is steep. We recommend it for a second or third safari, once you appreciate the difference exclusivity makes. Otherwise Tanzania/Kenya give 80% of the magic at 30% of the cost.