Which is the best country – Kenya, Botswana, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia or Zimbabwe?
That is a tough question. Each country has its positives and negatives. Due to it’s proximity to Europe and mass tourism infrastructure Kenya is a popular destination for inexpensive European tour groups looking for a bit of safari and sun (a few days wildlife viewing and a few days on the beach). In general the country does not rate well in terms of the wildlife and wilderness experience. On our last visit to the Mara and Amboseli we could not believe the number of vehicles at each wildlife sighting. In August 2010 we counted 28 vehicles around a single leopard – simply outrageous! In addition Kenya’s wildlife is on the decline. A 2001 report by Kenya’s Regional Center for Mapping of Resources for Development noted wildlife in Kenya’s premier wildlife area, the Masai Mara, had declined by 58% in the past 20 years. Wildebeest numbers fell 81% from 119,000 in 1977 to 22,000 in 1997. The Center attributed these to changes population growth (Kenya is home to over 35 million people while B
