Comparison

South Africa or Kenya?

South Africa mixes safari with cities, wine and coast, with good roads and no visa for most Europeans. Kenya is the classic East African safari with the migration.

Last checked 27 October 2026

South Africa

  • Self-drive safari in Kruger
  • Combining safari with Cape Town and the Garden Route
  • Families and first-time visitors to Africa
  1. January: Good
  2. February: Good
  3. March: Good
  4. April: Good
  5. May: Best
  6. June: Best
  7. July: Best
  8. August: Best
  9. September: Best
  10. October: Good
  11. November: Good
  12. December: Good

Kenya

  • The Great Migration
  • Open savanna and big cats
  • Maasai culture in the conservancies
  1. January: Best
  2. February: Best
  3. March: Good
  4. April: Avoid
  5. May: Avoid
  6. June: Good
  7. July: Best
  8. August: Best
  9. September: Best
  10. October: Best
  11. November: Good
  12. December: Good

Side by side

South AfricaKenya
Safari styleSelf-drive or private reserves next to KrugerGuided game drives in pop-up roof vehicles
Beyond safariCape Town, Winelands, Garden RouteIndian Ocean beaches, Lamu
Getting aroundGood roads and car hireBush flights or long road transfers
Best monthsMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, SepJan, Feb, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Visa, LithuanianVisa-freeTravel authorisation (US$32.50)
Visa, BritishVisa-freeTravel authorisation (US$32.50)
Visa, AmericanVisa-freeTravel authorisation (US$32.50)
Headline feeKruger National Park, from 1 Nov 2026: R692 per person per dayMasai Mara, high season: US$200 per person per day
Yellow feverOnly if arriving from a risk countryOnly if arriving from a risk country
Main airportsJNB · CPT · DURNBO · MBA

Our take

South Africa. Choose South Africa for a varied holiday with safari as one part of it.

Kenya. Choose Kenya when the safari itself, and the migration, is the point of the trip.

Health

South Africa: Malaria is present in some regions. Check your route with a travel clinic.

Kenya: Malaria is present in some regions. Check your route with a travel clinic.

Entry rules for your passport

Frequently asked questions

South Africa or Kenya?

Choose South Africa for a varied holiday with safari as one part of it. Choose Kenya when the safari itself, and the migration, is the point of the trip.

When is the best time to visit South Africa and Kenya?

South Africa: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep. Kenya: Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.

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