There is no denying the allure of combining safaris in East and Southern Africa. Why not include gorilla trekking, the Okavango Delta, the Serengeti, and the Victoria Falls into one trip? However, the details of the trip must be meticulously arranged when it comes to real planning. Before combining these two famous safari destinations into a single trip, here are some things you should know.
It is possible to combine East and Southern Africa into a single itinerary, but it will require more time, effort, and money.
For instance, you will probably need to travel via Nairobi and then down to Johannesburg if you have aspirations of visiting both Tanzania and South Africa. It often takes a full day to go, so this is not a quick hop. That means spending more time at airports and less time on safari.
However, because there is a direct overnight flight from Kigali to Johannesburg, it is more practical to combine Rwanda (for gorilla trekking) with Southern Africa. By taking this route, you can save daytime hours for relaxing at the lodge and seeing wildlife.
Why We Suggest Selecting Just One Area
Eastern and Southern Africa provide fantastic safari experiences. The magic can occasionally be diminished when attempting to fit both into a single schedule. Particularly for first-time visitors or those organizing a honeymoon or other special occasion, we at African Safari Consultants and our partners at Southern Destinations will advise picking one area and doing it right.
Going on a safari isn’t supposed to be a race! It’s about taking your time and appreciating your environment.
Here are two routing recommendations
East Africa
1. Combine Tanzania’s Serengeti with Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
The highlights this safari circuit could include :
- The Great Migration of thousands of wildebeest and zebras.
- Big Five safaris in Tanzania
- Hot air ballooning safaris
- See gorillas and golden monkeys in Rwanda’sVolcanoes National Park
- Rich cultural experiences
2. Combine Kenya’s Masai Mara with a few days on the coast in Zanzibar.
The highlights of this itinerary could include:
- The Great Migration and the famous river crossings
- Big cats of the Masai Mara
- Cultural encounters with the iconic Maasai people
- Scenic hot air ballooning
- Zanzibar’s pristine beaches
- Historical Stone Town
- Snorkelling, scuba diving and dhow cruises
Southern Africa
Combine South Africa’s Kruger region with Botswana’s Okavango Delta or Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park or Zambia’s South Luangwa, with a stop at Victoria Falls.
The highlights of this itinerary are:
- Big Five Encounters in the Kruger
- Mokoro trips along the waterways of the Okavango Delta
- Massive herds of elephant in Hwange National Park
- Wildlife Conservation projects in action
- Walking safaris in Zambia’s South Luangwa
- Good chance of great leopard sightings
- The mighty Victoria Falls, a natural wonder of the world
- Wide range of adventure activities at Victoria Falls
These regional combinations are logistically smoother, involve shorter flights, and allow for more relaxed transitions between locations.
The Trade-off?
While combining both regions can offer diversity—savannahs and deltas, gorillas and big cats, classic lodges and modern tented camps—the price is complexity. Travel days are longer and flights are more expensive.
So You Absolutely Want to Combine Southern & East Africa?
If you’re interested in contrasting ecosystems, have a lot of free time (three weeks or more), and a healthy budget, Then, a carefully thought-out itinerary that includes several destinations can provide for an unforgettable safari! With adequate time and our assistance with the intricate logistics, you will be rewarded with an African safari experience that is slow-moving and completely immersive.
It is possible to combine East and Southern Africa. However, checking boxes is rarely the focus of the best safari trips. They’re about slowing down, connecting, and going deeper. It’s usually more fruitful to choose one area and thoroughly explore it if you’re pressed for time or want your honeymoon to go smoothly.
