Have you ever been to Africa? Experienced travelers recommend starting the "development" of this continent from the east coast. And then the question arises: where to go first? The most popular are tours to Tanzania and Kenya , but how to understand what is better? Let's try to understand this question.
Natural and general data
To begin with, Kenya crosses its southern border into Tanzania. Climatically and geographically, the countries are very similar. They are located in one time zone of GMT + 3 south of the equator. By the way, the legacy left after the British, these two countries are also common: everywhere left-hand traffic and English outlets, including tourists from Russia and CIS countries will need special adapters.
The coldest months are May, June and July, it happens that at night the air temperature is only + 10 + 12 degrees. From April to June, this rainy season reigns, beginners are not recommended to visit the East African coast at this time. And finally: both countries are members of the East African Community (EAC), which means that the crossing of the common border is not complicated by bureaucratic and other nuances. You can take a taxi in Tanzania, and go to Kenya without any problems. Or any tour can start on the territory of one state, and finish in another - it is convenient, is not it?
There is no metro in big cities, roads are not always ideal, especially outside the city. This leads to huge traffic jams, which should be taken into account when planning trips, especially to the airport. There is very little public transport, we recommend using taxis or tuk-tukas in the settlements. Between large cities and regions it is more convenient to fly on airplanes or to travel by bus. Therefore, if we consider the transport issue, it is difficult to say what is best to choose - Kenya or Tanzania.
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Visa Information
Today, residents of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and some other countries of the former USSR can get a visa without any problems immediately upon arrival in Kenya or Tanzania . The cost of the procedure is only $ 50. The most pleasant thing is that after obtaining a visa in Kenya, then visiting Tanzania and returning back, you do not need to get a visa again. This is a great value of YOU.
From the unusual: the passage of the border of both states is accompanied by the procedure of removing and verifying your fingerprints - separately thumb and four others together. In extorting bribes, local border guards were not seen, rather, on the contrary, politely explain to all inexperienced tourists modern ways and laws.
Vaccinations and questions of medicine
The very first question is about malaria. There is no vaccination from her, but one week before the trip, you must start taking the appropriate medications. Alas, in Russia and CIS countries, in most pharmacies, the right drugs are sold at heavily inflated prices, and in many cases they are completely absent. There are zones completely free from malaria, and there are dangerous (hot, humid with an abundance of insects). In the first case, this is, for example, the capital of Kenya Nairobi , in the second - the African coast and lakes.
In addition to preventive drugs, you must have a set of tests and medications. In Kenya and Tanzania, tests and drugs for prevention are sold everywhere and cheaper than in Russia and in Europe. Remember, with the first symptoms of a cold at once do the test and for malaria. If you are flying directly to the island of Zanzibar and do not intend to leave it until the end of your vacation, then be calm: malaria has long been gone and prevention is of no use to you. But the inoculation against yellow fever will have to be done, especially strictly to this issue are in Tanzania and even ask for a certificate.
Financial issue
Let's start with the fact that in Kenya and Tanzania, in addition to the local currency, in free circulation, also dollars, and in large cities, sometimes rubles. In Kenya, the currency exchange rate is about twice as profitable as in Tanzania, and also more accessible: exchangers can be found literally at every step. Tipping is paid at will (about 10%), in the account they are not included anywhere. But on the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar, we recommend taking only cash: there are practically no exchangers, the rate is substantially lower than the mainland.
The level of service and quality of goods can be found from the simplest to the highest quality and even luxury. The issue is not only in price and your willingness to pay it, but also in the habit of sleeping, for example, in a clean separate room, and not on a bench in a shed without windows.
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Accommodation
If you are going on a safari, then the accommodation is guaranteed to be included in your tour. It can be modest, but equipped with tents or more expensive houses with rooms.
In the cities of Kenya and Tanzania, you can find decent numbers on average for $ 30-50 per day per person. If you decide to stay on the coast, then expect that about $ 30 will cost a bungalow, and the numbers are about $ 100-130. Of course, you can find more comfortable hotels on the first line, but it will be more expensive.
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What can you eat?
To the surprise of many tourists, modest eateries for local people differ little from more or less decent and trusted restaurants. Local dishes are not so much to stand in line with them: the main food - meat, vegetables, rice. Almost in any institution in Kenya and Tanzania , where a proven guide will lead you, you can safely order a meat assortment, and this is a bird, pork, beef, ostrich meat, crocodile, buffalo, zebra, etc. Vegetarian menu is found in some places. Very diverse and familiar you will be fed only with good hotels. A feast of the stomach can be arranged and independently after visiting a good supermarket.
The island of Zanzibar differs significantly in the gastronomic issue, it is a kind of a very Europeanized place, where the cuisine is familiar, and the service is at an altitude. All for the whimsical tourist.
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What to see?
There is no doubt that nature is primarily interested in all tourists. You will not understand, if you come to Kenya or Tanzania you will not find time to visit at least one national park. All travel should preferably be carried out with binoculars, since you can not go anywhere, and you want to see a lot. Between two states there is a constant migration of animals, including There is no choice where exactly to look for them. Familiarity with the life of the Masai tribe and an excursion to their village can be organized with the help of a local leader. For a fee, he guarantees you his protection and protection, of course, if you are not going to get into a fight or behave indecently.
Getting to know Kilimanjaro is the second most important goal of many tourists. The highest point in Africa varies somewhat with time, so do not postpone it until later. Know that you can climb it only from the territory of Tanzania, but you can not admire all its slopes here, the best views are opened from Kenya. So you have to choose which is better in this matter: Kenya or Tanzania.
Water entertainment is present throughout the east coast. Divers have chosen the islands and the coast of Tanzania, fans of surfing - the beaches of Kenya . Fans of a quiet beach holiday most travel agencies recommend the island of Zanzibar . It is worth noting that fans of history will like more in Tanzania: there are more preserved old forts and historical heritage of the British.
In general, it can be concluded that if you are used to normal service and are still afraid to walk confidently along the black continent, and you become very attracted to getting acquainted with the beauty of the flora and fauna, you are a direct road to Kenya. But if you are an experienced tourist and you are not afraid of a noticeable lack of civilization and tourist infrastructure or you dream of conquering Kilimanjaro - you straight to Tanzania. Have a nice rest!
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