East Africa orientation
Kenya or Tanzania for a first safari?
One of the first questions for an East Africa safari is whether to start with Kenya or Tanzania. Both are strong; the right answer depends on what you want and how you like to travel. This page helps you decide which guide to open — it is orientation, not booking advice, and the detail lives in each country's guide.
What each is broadly known for
Kenya is often the more accessible classic-first-safari choice, with the Maasai Mara as its signature area. Tanzania is known for the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, and for combining a safari with Kilimanjaro or with Zanzibar's coast. Both share broadly the same wildlife and, in season, the same migration moving between the Mara and the Serengeti.
Verify at source: Area-level orientation in the Kenya and Tanzania guides, and broad context through the national tourism boards.
How travellers usually choose
If you want a shorter, simpler first safari, Kenya's Mara is a common starting point. If you want to combine a safari with a mountain or an island in one trip, Tanzania's geography makes that more natural. Many people eventually do both, on separate trips.
Where the details live
This page does not compare parks, prices, routes, or entry rules. Open the Kenya guide or the Tanzania guide for area-level orientation, and verify formalities and conditions with the official sources each guide points to.