Kenya
Kenya is a wonderful African safari destination for seniors. We do, however, recommend opting for a fly-in itinerary, as distances between safari areas are large and road transfers can get rather long and uncomfortable. If you are mobile enough to step onto and off small airplanes, flying between camps and lodges will offer a great deal of comfort and more time on safari.
Kenya’s flagship safari destination is the Masai Mara National Reserve. Its wide-open plains provide a sanctuary for an abundance of animals like elephants, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, hyena and Mara’s famous big cats: lion, leopard and cheetah. Thanks to its high numbers of resident wildlife and temperate climate, the Mara is widely regarded as a fantastic year-round safari destination. Its wide and open plains mean there is virtually always something to see – no matter what time of year you visit.
The Mara’s private conservancies (conservation areas owned by local Maasai that border the national reserve) provide travelers with exclusivity, excellent game viewing in sole-use areas, and activities like night drives, bush walks and off-road games viewing – not permitted in the national reserve. When the annual Wildebeest Migration makes its turn in the Masai Mara between about August and November, the neighboring private conservancies offer a tranquil retreat from the spectacle (the national reserve can get rather busy), yet you’re still close enough to all the Migration hot spots.
Another fantastic destination for a senior safari in Kenya is Amboseli National Park. With its perennial wetlands flourishing beneath towering Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli National Park is the best place in East Africa to see massive herds of elephants. And if you’re looking for that iconic postcard image of wildlife against a Kilimanjaro backdrop, this is the place to get the shot.
Best Things to Do on a Senior Safari in Kenya
- Guided game drives in the Masai Mara
- Witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration (August to November)
- Staying at luxury safari camps in the Mara’s private conservancies
- Staying at The Giraffe Manor while visiting Nairobi
- Seeing East Africa’s biggest elephant herds in Amboseli
Tanzania
From the Wildebeest Migration and the Big 5 to tropical beaches, Tanzania offers senior travellers in Africa a wonderful diversity of wildlife, landscapes and experiences. Furthermore, the country’s popular ‘northern safari circuit’ (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara and Tarangire) is a convenient route and a fantastic way to see the best of Tanzania. Like Kenya, we recommend opting for a fly-in itinerary to save you the long and uncomfortable road transfers.
The Serengeti National Park is arguably the most famous safari destination in the world. It is the place to go in Tanzania for game viewing at its most dramatic. It hosts the lion’s share of the annual Wildebeest Migration (January to August) and is home to one of our planet’s greatest concentrations of wildlife like zebra, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, lion, leopard and cheetah. Serengeti’s sheer size, accessibility, top-quality lodges and camps, and year-round abundance of wildlife make it one of the best African safari destinations for seniors.
The Ngorongoro Crater was created about 3 million years ago when a big volcano exploded and collapsed on itself. Today, it’s the biggest intact volcanic caldera on Earth. It’s one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders and supports over 25 000 animals, including the Big 5. It offers senior safari travellers the most reliable Big 5 sightings in East Africa – you can see all five members in one day! Throw in some out-of-this-world cliff-top accommodation, and the result is an unforgettable senior safari experience in an unbelievably unique setting.
The elephant empire of Tarangire National Park offers incredible game viewing during Tanzania’s dry season (June to October), while Lake Manyara is an exceptional bird-watching destination.
Why We Love Tanzania for Senior Safaris
- Easily accessible ‘northern safari circuit’ offers a convenient way to see the best of Tanzania
- Sensational game viewing in the Serengeti
- Top-quality lodges and camps
- Home to the lion’s share of the Wildebeest Migration (January to August)