Differences between East Africa and southern Africa. What should you expect:
I know what you think: “Hey, wait a second … Isn’t that an article on Tanzania? Why does she compare southern Africa with East Africa?
Well, since I spent more than 4 months (super stressful) to organize these 60 epic days in Africa, and I visited the parts of the South and the East, I know that some people will be super torn to where they want to spend their money.
I decided to go for Broke (as usual) because, even if I had large companies that welcomed me, I paid for everything else: flights, additional activities and more. In addition to that, I wanted to go to Africa always and I contacted the companies I would have paid anyway if they said no to our cooperation. I was therefore in a familiar situation to many of you.
What African countries / areas are the best? Where should I go?
Obviously, the answer depends on your preferences, some people hate camping, for example, others are super adventurous … for each of the own. I just wanted to give you an honest overview of what I saw during my stay in Africa to help you in your decision -making!
Non-liability clause: I only put the countries that I have visited, because South Africa and the East includes more countries than those stated below, but I never talk about something that I have not tried by giving advice. Those with (…) are the countries that I have only visited briefly (a 2 -day max).
East Africa:
Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Seychelles, (Zanzibar)
AGAINST
Southern Africa:
Namibia, (South Africa), Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Victoria Falls
Tourists and accommodation:
Generally, East Africa is known to have a large number of tourists who prefer to stay in luxurious camps. After all, I stayed in one too 😉 The best feature of staying in a luxury camp is that it gave me a chance to explore and engage in huge plots of a wild nature without being piled up with other tourists.
In southern Africa, they have more options, from the base / land travel campsite like me, to the beautiful lodges and to the autonomous safaris. Of course, there are also options on the part is but are less frequent. Probably because the overall general price is higher in the countries of southern Africa, compared to the East.
List of the main attractions of East and South Africa
Tanzania: Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro, Zanzibar, Mount Kilimanjaro, Tarangire National Park, visit the neighboring island of Zanzibar and the wonderful Seychelles.
Kenie: Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli National Park, Tsavo National Park, Samburu National Reserve, Nairobi, Mombasa.
Uganda: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi impenetrable national park (see Gorillas in the wild), Lake Bunyonyi, Murchison Falls, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Namibia: Etosha National Park, Sossusvlei & Deadvlei, Coast Skeleton, Namib Desert, Fish River Canyon, Cheetas Rescue Park, Kolmanskop Ghost Town, visit Swakopmund Town and the last but not the least: Croise the Capricorn Tropic! (Read the details of my article on my 2 weeks of camping in Namibia.
Botwana:: Chobe National Park, Delta d’Okavango, Moremi game reserve, Kalahari Central game reserve, Kubu Island, Khama Rhino sanctuary, Guma Lagoon.
Zimbabwe:: Mana Pools National Park, Eastern Highlands, Matusanona National Park, Hwange National Park, Matobo National Park, Victoria Falls Bridge, Victoria Falls (the best view of the East Cascades on the side of Zimbabwe)
Zambia:: Victoria Falls – Devils Pools (this is the best thing I have ever done in my life! See the video above and the article on the Devil’s Pool GuideSouth Luangwa National Park, Blue Lagoon National Park.
Cultural tourism:
Compared to southern Africa, the Easter part offers a little more real interaction with local communities, the opportunities to attend the tribal life of Maasai or Samburu are quite common. I even went to the local doctor to ask for a thermometer because I had lost mine and despite the fever that bothers me, It was such a beautiful experience to see how these people really live far from the tourist route!
An adorable child during our visit to the Himba tribe in Namibia. People liked to be photographed because they are used to tourists, not much in East Africa where yes, they can agree with a photo but are a little more “reserved” (I am not sure that it is the right word to describe them).
In southern Africa, I had the opportunity to visit the charming Himba tribe But the experience was “less authentic”, which means that you had to go to their village in a sort of “tour”. Residents do not care because they can earn a little money by selling bracelets and artifacts, but you would not meet them in the street as happened in East Africa. Another great experience, don’t get me wrong!
Safaris and fauna:
The wild species of the two regions are much similar. The main difference I noticed is to see how much you will see. In southern Africa (especially in Botswana), you will see many more elephants while in the East Africa, the massive number of zebras and gnou that you would find in the Serengeti is … impressive!
And our beautiful predators? (Lions, cheetas and leopards)?
From what I saw, You will have many chances of seeing your great beloved cats in southern Africa and East Africa (Everyone goes absolutely crazy during a safari when one of the guides communicates to the other that they spotted a cheetah, a lion or a leopard). According to my experience, I saw more lions than ever in Tanzania and KenyaWhile they are a little more elusive in Namibia and in other parts of southern Africa, but you will see them anyway, probably the nap or the yawn, their favorite things to do;), don’t worry!
I took this photo during my safari in the Chobe national reserve in Botswana. Many predators there, only exceeded by Tanzania. I don’t know if I was lucky or not, but I have never seen as many lions and cheetahs as in Tanzania!
So which one is the best? East or South Africa? Here is my last, super honest, say! 🙂
Please don’t kill me but … if my life depended on this answer, I would be dead now because I haven’t taken my mind yet! It is impossible to decide, the two parts of Africa are breathtaking. So it’s my honest advice. Life is short and Africa is quite expensive. If you want to live life fully but you are not rich, do not lose hope.
I had to sacrifice a lot to live the life that I am living at the moment, but I do not regret selling all my goods to realize a dream. My dream. So, if your dream is to visit Africa, something that, you have to believe me, will change your life forever, you must be patient and maybe wait a few years, save money and Make both!
If you are one of the lucky ones who can allow you to spend money, I would say even more convincingly … Visit both east and southern Africa. You will not regret it at all.
In fact, by visiting the two areas, you will have an even more experience that changes your life As, book fauna and safaris (which are ultimately similar), landscape, cultural and adventurous experiences will be so different that you will amaze yourself.
It took me over 2 years to write this article, and you know why? Because the words to describe what my trip to Africa and Tanzania in particular meant for me, the lack of an appropriate vocabulary.
I had to treat my emotions, my thoughts and my memories and there is not a day that passes without thinking about this incredible continent. As I said. Life is short, and what really matters at the end are the experiences we have, not the thing we have. The choice belongs to you 🙂
Have you ever been in Tanzania? If so, add your own advice and things to do that I missed in the comments! 🙂
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