Safari Circuits: Which is best - East or Southern Africa?

Congratulations, you’ve made the decision to go on an African Safari. But now, how to you choose between East or Southern Africa? There are several key factors to consider when choosing the perfect safari location. Your Timeless Africa Safaris Travel Manager will guide you through every detail related to your specific passions and interests, but in the meantime, here are some of the main differences.

Southern Africa Safari 

• Botswana
• South Africa
• Namibia
• Zimbabwe
• Zambia

East Africa Safari

• Kenya
• Tanzania
• Rwanda
• Uganda

Southern Africa Safari 

• Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, Botswana
• Kruger National Park and Private Game Reserves in South Africa
• Madikwe and Eastern Cape Private Game Reserves for malaria-free options in South Africa
• Etosha National Park, Namibia
• Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park and Mana Pools, Zimbabwe
• South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia

East Africa Safari

• Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, Laikipia and the coastal belt in Kenya
• Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Selous and Ruahau Reserves in Tanzania
• Akagera National Park and Lake Kivu in Rwanda
• Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking
• Nuyngwe Forest for Chimp trekking in Rwanda
• Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for Rwanda/Uganda gorilla trekking

Southern Africa Safari 

• Climate ranges from Mediterranean in the southwestern corner of the continent to temperate, subtropical and even desert-like further north. Most of the region enjoys warm, sunny days and cool nights
• In Southern Africa, while each country varies, the rains generally fall between November and March with the rest of the year being mostly rain-free. Temperatures are similar between the regions with May to August being the cooler months

East Africa Safari

• East Africa’s climate is atypical of equatorial regions, surprisingly cool and dry
• The region is widely regarded as a fantastic year-round safari destination. Its wide and open plains mean there is virtually always game to see, no matter what time of year you visit

Southern Africa Safari 

• Incredibly diverse landscapes and terrain (think deserts, deltas, savannah, mountains Victoria Falls and remote islands)
• Big Five viewing (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, elephant)
• Variety of safari activities (e.g. water safaris in Botswana and walking safaris in Zambia)
• World-class services and amenities especially South Africa

East Africa Safari

• Massive concentration of wild animals and scenery
• The Great Migration
• Cultural interactions
• Wide open spaces
• Safari can be combined with Gorilla trekking

Southern Africa Safari 

• Most of the popular wildlife can be seen in all safari regions
• Some wildlife areas are fenced
• In Southern Africa, you will generally find higher concentrations of animals in smaller areas
• Big Five present in most parks and reserves
• Certain areas are known for their sightings of a specific animal (e.g. leopards in the Sabi Sands, South Africa)
• Some wildlife have become habituated to vehicles, which allows for extremely close encounters
• Vast herds of elephant in Chobe, Botswana
• Second largest animal migration in Botswana (zebras in February)

East Africa Safari

• Depending on the time of year, you would have the best chance to witness The Great Migration in either Kenya or Tanzania
• High density of animals. This is particularly true in Migration season/areas
• Fewer fences to allow animals to move freely on migratory routes
• Excellent game viewing year round

Southern Africa Safari 

• Wildlife reserves and lodges have strict rules on the number of safari jeeps that can view a particular animal or group of animals at once—generally no more than three
• Safaris are conducted in open-sided Land Cruisers in order to have the closest animal encounters possible
• Vehicles usually seat 6 – 8 passengers . They are often designed to be tiered, like stadium seating, with the last row being the highest

East Africa Safari

• In National Parks, there is no limit to the number of jeeps at any particular sighting, so it’s possible to see well over a dozen jeeps looking at a pride of lions or a river crossing in peak migration season
• Staying at camps or lodges in private concessions are a good way to ensure privacy and less crowds.
• A combination of open-sided vehicles, however, if you are doing land transfers, most will use a fully enclosed vehicle with large windows and a pop-top roof

Southern Africa Safari 

• Consistently good in Southern Africa
• Zimbabwe and Zambia have some of the best guides in the world, especially walking safari guides

East Africa Safari

• Local guides with unique cultural insight
• Often resident naturalists

Southern Africa Safari 

• Arrival at lodge by plane, road transfer or self-drive.
• Field guides (rangers) conduct safari drives and bush walks
• Some lodges/camps also have trackers to assist in reading spoor and locating animals
• Most offer morning and afternoon/evening safaris
• Safari bush walk usually offered in between safari drives

East Africa Safari

• Fly between camps and lodges in light aircraft shuttle or charter flights
• Private guided safari transfers between areas or lodges, where your driver is also your guide.
• Morning , afternoon or full day safari drives
• Some offer bush walking or running with Maasai

Southern Africa Safari 

• Options to suit any budget and personal likes – traditional, luxurious, tented, thatched, contemporary
• Include award-winning options – Voted Best in the world
• Glamping and sleep-out under the stars

East Africa Safari

• Classic safari style options
• Mobile camps
• Luxury options

Southern Africa Safari 

• Most safari camps and lodges will allow children from aged 6 and up on safari drives
• Private safari vehicles may be booked for families with younger children
• Options for families with toddlers are available
• Safari bush walks for ages 15 and up

East Africa Safari

• Most safari camps and lodges will allow children from aged 6 and up on safari drives
• Private safari vehicles may be booked for families with younger children
• Gorilla trekking for 15 years and older only
• Safari bush walks for ages 15 and up

Southern Africa Safari 

• Solo Travellers
• Couples
• Groups of friends/family, colleagues
• Honeymooners or special occasions
• Families with children (young & older)
• Adventurous travellers
• Seeking luxury
• Seeking mix of urban and wilderness experiences

East Africa Safari

• Solo Travellers
• Couples
• Groups of friends/family, colleagues
• Honeymooners or special occasions
• Families with children (older for gorilla trekking)
• Adventurous travellers
• Seeking luxury
• Seeking mix of urban and wilderness experiences

Southern Africa Safari 

• A great diversity of landscapes, from the Namib Desert in Namibia to the Okavango Delta in Botswana
• Intimate safaris in private concession areas allowing for ‘up close’ game experiences
• Open safari vehicles for easier game viewing
• Zambia and Zimbabwe are renowned for walking safaris
• Seeing Victoria Falls, one of the seven wonders of the natural world
• A wide range of accommodation from five-star luxury to outstanding value for money glamping
• Seeing wildlife in unique ways – from a mokoro (dug-out canoe) or get up close and personal on foot
• Easily combined with a trip to one of the world’s most popular cities, Cape Town, or South Africa’s coast

East Africa Safari

• Traditional ‘Out of Africa’ safari setting
• The Greatest Show on Earth – the annual wildebeest migration involving millions of animals, which can easily be included in a Kenya & Tanzania safari combination
• Classic postcard African scenery of rolling savannahs and acacia trees
• Large numbers of game on the open plains
• Good year round climate
• The views of, or the chance to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain
• Cultures such as the Maasai and Samburu who maintain a traditional way of life
• Gorillas and chimpanzees in the mountains and forest areas
• A beautiful coastline makes the region ideal for a bush and beach vacation
• Relatively short international flights into Nairobi in Kenya