The Safari Dilemma: East vs. Southern Africa
If you’re planning your first (or next) safari, one of the most common questions is: Should I go to East Africa or Southern Africa? Both regions offer world-class wildlife viewing, dramatic scenery, exquisite lodges, and deep cultural experiences—but they deliver very different styles of safari. We hope that every traveler will experience both over time! Here’s what each region offers, and what you may be missing if you’ve only explored one.
Landscapes
East Africa is the Africa of classic imagination—vast golden savannas, acacia trees, and endless skies. The Serengeti and Masai Mara feel sweeping and cinematic, with wildlife moving freely across open plains. Iconic landmarks like Mount Kilimanjaro and the Ngorongoro Crater create some of the most unforgettable safari backdrops on earth.
Southern Africa is defined by its extraordinary variety. In Botswana, the Okavango Delta floods seasonally into a lush mosaic of channels and islands where elephants wade through clear water. Namibia delivers red dunes, surreal desert landscapes, and hauntingly vast horizons. South Africa and Zimbabwe mix river ecosystems, woodlands, mountains, and private reserves—each with its own personality and wildlife experience.
Wildlife
Both regions offer the Big Five, but the character of the wildlife experience differs.
In East Africa, the story is scale and spectacle. The Great Migration—over a million wildebeest and zebra moving through the Serengeti and Masai Mara—is one of the greatest wildlife phenomena on earth. Lion prides are large, cheetah sightings are frequent, and game viewing can feel dramatic and fast-paced.
Southern Africa offers more intimate and diverse wildlife encounters. South Africa is known for exceptional leopard viewing and private reserves where vehicles can follow big cats at close range. Botswana and Zimbabwe excel at water-based safari, where elephant herds drink only meters away. Namibia introduces desert-adapted lions, elephant, and rhino—animals whose very existence is remarkable.
Activities and Experiences
In East Africa, the safari rhythm is classic and iconic:
Hot-air ballooning over the Serengeti and Masai Mara
Game drives across open plains
Visiting Maasai or Samburu communities
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda
It feels timeless, romantic, and deeply connected to the classic imagery of safari.
Southern Africa offers a wider mix of activities:
Canoe safaris through the Delta
Walking safaris in Zambia and Zimbabwe
Photography hides and world-class guiding
Cape Town, wine estates, and helicopter flights over Victoria Falls
Every day can feel different, and the range of experiences appeals to travelers seeking depth and variety.
Culture
East Africa offers encounters with living pastoral cultures—Maasai, Samburu, Hadzabe—whose traditional lifestyles are part of the landscape itself. Southern Africa blends modern and traditional Africa: art-driven cities, community-based conservation, and rural partnerships that shape the safari industry today.
The Verdict
You can’t make a wrong decision. Choose East Africa for sweeping plains, the Great Migration, and grand safari romance. Choose Southern Africa for varied landscapes, walking and water safaris, and diverse experiences beyond game drives.
Ultimately, the most seasoned travelers return because each region offers something the other does not. Explore both, and Africa opens in layers—each journey deepening the story.
Your perfect safari begins with expert guidance—schedule a free consultation with Carolyn to thoughtfully design your journey through Africa.