Kenya vs. Tanzania in June
 

We're trying to plan a safari during the last two weeks of June with our two teen boys, 16 and 19....our first family Africa trip. We were considering the northern Tanzanian circuit (in tented camps with cultural encountrers), but we are now thinking of switching to a Kenyan safari because Virgin Atlantic is having a sale to NBO and we could save $700+ pp on our flights, or go Premium Economy for less than we were going to spend for coach on KLM.

In Kenya we would stay at Giraffe Manor and 2-3 Porini camps (Gamewatchers). In Tanzania, we were thinking of Moivaro, Maramboi, Lemala Ngorongoro Camp, and Mbalageti Camp (through ATR).... Or Mawe Ninga, Olduvai, Ronjo and possibly Zanzibar.

Our concerns about Kenya:
- too touristy?
- recent crime against tourists in the Mara
- missing the migration - will there be "enough" wildlife?
- June is shoulder season in Kenya, yet high season in Tanzania...Does this mean it's still rainy?

We thought about adding on a JRO-NBO-JRO segment to the Virgin deal, but it's not cheap and probably not worth the hassle of adding an additional flight. We live in LA, and will probably stay with friends in London in at least one direction.

Would appreciate opinions and comparisons.

We are also going with our kids to East Africa last week of June. Given this will probably be our only trip there, we decided to do both Kenya & Tanzania, 6 days each. We want to experience the Mara, Amboseli, the Serengeti & Ngorongoro. The migration is expected to be (no guarantys depending on the rain) in the western Serengeti then. We will be in the Mara the last week of June (its considerably cheaper as the high season starts July) and the Serengeti the first week of July. If you can fly for the intra-camp routes, both countries are comfortably doable. Without an all fly-in safari, I would recommend only one.

- too touristy?
N. Circuit in June and Kenya in June would be similar in #s of other visitors. The shoulder element would help with #s in the Mara.

- recent crime against tourists in the Mara
Though I don't recall anything in the last 6 months, I can certainly recall attacks as severe and moreso in Tanzania, which occurred in places about as popular with visitors as the Mara. I personally would not let any of the isolated crimes that have occurred deter me from the Mara or from Tanzania. I am going to Kenya and the Mara a few months after you.

- missing the migration - will there be "enough" wildlife?
Yes. You'll be amazed. And the last 2 weeks of June the herds could be crossing into the Mara. Besides, there are resident herds in the Mara that don't leave.

- June is shoulder season in Kenya, yet high season in Tanzania...Does this mean it's still rainy?
The grass is higher than later in the season, which means you may have to work a little harder to see some animals.
Rain in MM in Nairobi
Apr = 211
May = 158
June = 47
July = 15
Aug = 24
Sept = 32

You can request cultural interactions at Gamewatchers camps.

The savings would continue on the ground as Kenya is a less expensive destination in general than Tanzania. When you start adding up visas for a family, that's less expensive too in Kenya.

Either destination would provide your family with a wonderful trip.

Thanks, everyone. We had pretty much decided on Kenya, then found out that we can't book anything yet because the boys are up in the air about summer jobs/programs. We've had good luck arranging trips at the last minute, but this one will be a challenge because of the flights. Tried last year and ended up in the Galapagos.

AKR1, who did you book with?