My husband and I visited Tanzania and Kenya about 20 years ago and absolutely adored it. We would love to take our kids there but a travel agent just told us the entrance fees have exponentially increased, and we're better off going to SA. We initially went to T&K because we were told the wildlife in SA isn't as good - and we saw animals at our camp doorstep in the Mara, while a friend spent all day in Kruger just tracking a few elephants without seeing anything else.
So - any thoughts which country might give us the best ratio of budget vs wildlife sightings? I'd prefer to spend about US$200 pp per day, ideally staying 8-10 days. Plus our two kids are 16 and 19, so they're considered adults, thus we're paying for four adults. (Word of warning to anyone with pre-teens considering a safari!). Am I giving SA an undeserved reputation? Or is there a "next Kenya" to visit? We would be going in June.

Your budget ought to be okay for a mixture of destinations in South Africa. Average out the costs that include some more pricey places with those we that cost less. For example, look at the Elephant Plains lodge in the famous and fabulous Sabi Sand reserve. Comfortable rooms run around US$320 per person per day, which is much cheaper than most of the SSGR lodges.

https://elephantplains.co.za/


Then look at the Nyathi guest camp in the Addo Elephant National Park, where a self-catering family unit costs around $280 per night. Do the averages.


South Africa can be a very affordable place to visit, worth every penny.

You're absolutely right that park entry fees in East Africa have increased, particularly in premium reserves like the Maasai Mara and Serengeti. However, Kenya still offers a range of incredible safari experiences that are much more affordable, without compromising too much on wildlife sightings or the magic of being in the bush.

For example, private conservancies around the Mara such as Naboisho or Ol Kinyei often include park fees in their rates and allow for off-road driving and walking safaris—plus fewer crowds. Alternatively, parks like Amboseli (famous for elephants and views of Mt. Kilimanjaro), Tsavo, Laikipia, or even Lake Nakuru can provide great game viewing at more moderate prices and often fly a bit under the tourist radar.

If you’re interested, I’d be happy to suggest a few specific itineraries or camps that balance budget and wildlife—you’d be surprised what’s still possible!

Tanzania is relatively fair, June is peak safari season for a reason—great weather, tons of wildlife, and the Great Migration is in full swing. You see animals, not just track them. Yes, park fees are higher, but the experience is wild, authentic, and worth it. South Africa is more budget-friendly, but sightings can be hit or miss. For a truly unforgettable trip, Tanzania continues to deliver.

Recently, park fees have gone up (up to $100+ pp/day in Serengeti), but you're paying for unmatched density and diversity of wildlife. Tanzania delivers reliable Big Five sightings, fewer fences, and more authentic bush experiences (vs. SA's more commercialized reserves). Camps in Tarangire or Lake Manyara can balance costs.

So while SA can be cheaper, Tanzania offers superior sightings and less game-driving guesswork, especially for a once-in-a-lifetime family trip.

You are right travelling is now more costly, with increased park entrance fees, around the month of June up-to September is a bit expensive in Masai Mara and Serengeti, because lots of visitors are flocking in to catch the drama of the Wildebeest Migration, at about this time lodges tend to have high prices. Away from the cost, Kenya & Tanzania is a place to choose, it will give you the best and you will definitely forget about the cost.

Safari costs are highest in Botswana, Tanzania, and Kenya due to premium lodges, park fees, and exclusive wildlife experiences.

I have been to south africa 3 times and Tanzania once
For me South Africa is the better option unless you want to observe the mass migration in Tanzania.off roading safaris in the private game reserves that border the kruger are a sure bet for viewing wildlife
we saw far more animals in south Africa than tanzania with less distance covered.We were not there for the mass migration

Since this thread I started seems to be somewhat alive, thought I'd respond to my original post with thoughts on having visited both East and South Africa!
Of course everyone's experience will be different as you can't control what animals are seen, and different parks will have different animals.
For our trip to Kruger this summer, we saw 121 different animals (80 were birds). I was blown away by the sheer variety of what we saw, though we positively needed a serious professional ranger to see most of it. Randomly driving around without really knowing where to find herds or tribes (and sometimes bad luck) really results in not seeing much. In SA nearly everything was pretty far away or spotted very briefly (leopard, porcupine, jackal). Generally we saw only one or two animals at a time with the exception of a pride of 9 and a herd of about 50 elephants at a distance. So if you're ok seeing just one or two animals at a time with an experienced guide, SA works.
For our trip to East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania) the sheer volume of animals overwhelmed us. We rarely saw only one or two at a time, and nearly all were viewed up close. It was many years ago so I didn't count what we saw, but it felt like we saw more birds. With so many animals in close proximity, we had a better chance to almost see a kill there and unique things like a birth. Or maybe it was just luck! And that's probably the biggest factor of all.