Ethical and Safe Travel in Africa? South Africa or Kenya?

South Africa or Kenya? Kruger or the Masai Mara?

This is a tourist dilemma that you mull over quite a lot before booking your first Safari. And, this is before you start reading about the Serengeti and then contemplate Tanzania too. Now, I have been to all of these places and I will give you my low down based on two aspects.

• Safety

• Ethical Values

For me, these are the two key principles that I look at other than cost when choosing a Safari. 

Destination	Safety Rating	Ethical Vibe	Best For...
South Africa	High (in Parks) / Low (in Cities)	Mixed; crowded with self-drivers.	Budget-conscious luxury & good roads.
Tanzania	Moderate; some tourist friction.	Uncertain; significant plastic/litter.	High-end seclusion (if you have the budget).
Kenya	High; secure even for solo shoppers.	Excellent (when booking Eco Gold).	Authentic, ethical, and British-friendly.

Safety and Ethical Values: My Two Non-Negotiables for Africa

Safety is paramount.

The Camp inside Kruger National Park

Safety when travelling in Africa is a massive concern, and it impacts nationalities in all different ways. 

There is always a concern of attacks or theft in every country that you visit. But safety in Africa is a bigger dilemma as you have to think of roads, animals, and heat as well. You are on holiday after all and it has to be better than good. You want a stress-free and hassle-free holiday where you have the time of your life.

South Africa: Luxury in Kruger vs. The Reality of Johannesburg

Mother and Daughter Safari in South Africa

South Africa

I visited Kruger National Park on a luxury holiday for 3 nights in 2024. It was an epic experience, and I have a private vehicle, a private driver, and a private chef. I paid approximately EUR 4500 for the journey, including a night before an after in Johannesburg.

Safety - Johannesburg was not safe. People attacked us in the car on the way to the hotel, and there were a lot of beggars banging on our windows. I tried to go on a walk out of the hotel, but the security people stopped me and said, “no.” 

Road Safety - the roads to Kruger were great. We then met our Safari guides in a market just outside of Kruger. 

Ethics in Kruger - Anyone can drive to Kruger and go in. This means without a 4x4 vehicle and an experienced driver. This was difficult for me as people were not following the rules. They were feeding animals and also leaving food for animals in the park. 

Our private chef in South Africa, his name was Hope.

Frequently, my private guide, when outside of the vehicle to pick up other people’s trash.

Conclusion. 

I did not feel safe in Johannesburg. I had a delightful luxury safari in Kruger. It was short, but for the price, what I could afford at the time. I was not solo, I travelled with my daughter. I loved the views from the car and the epic landscape around Kruger. But, ethics were not great in the actual park. Dirt, food, bad driving (road kills) were all visible. 

Tanzania: High Costs, Potholes, and Ethics of Tribal Photography

Driving through Africa

Tanzania

Tanzania is really expensive. I was outpriced, so I only had a 2-night safari, as I like to book luxury. I already did several budget and mid-range Safaris that I know I like luxury, as it often means better ethical values and safety too.

Safety - I gave a Maasai lady 10 dollars for some pictures of her and two friends, and they shouted at me and told me I was stealing from them and not paying them enough. I took one picture, which I actually do not even use now. I felt guilty for something that I arranged and asked (I loved taking pictures of tribal women). But the woman’s husband was very rude to me. 

Near where I asked for a photo of a some local villagers

Road Safety - the roads are not great in Tanzania and there are a lot of potholes. I nearly fell down one and it did make me a bit jumpy when out of the vehicle. 

Ethics - After only two days, I did not see enough to make a decision. As I only saw one Safari lodge. When I stayed in Dar Es Salam and Tanzania the amount of dirt and plastic did disturb me.

Conclusion.

I loved Zanzibar. But I spent a lot of time picking up rubbish from the beaches. I will not go again. 

Zanzibar was beautiful, but I had to clean a up a lot of plastic bottles for this picture

Why Kenya Wins: The Authentic and Safe Choice for 2026 and 2027

Kenya

So, there is a reason why my two Safaris are in Kenya. I think also because I am British, and the British influence in Kenya still exists. Everyone speaks English, and I met a lot of very educated people, with whom I had great conversations. But, I have been to Kenya more than South Africa and Tanzania.

Safety - I managed to shop alone and go to the Sarit Centre. It was safe, and there were police and security everywhere in Nairobi.

Road Safety - The road to Samburu was great. The road to Reteti was terrible but luckily, only 20 km was bad, so I survived. But you cannot do it if you have a very bad back. The road to the Masai Mara is good for a while, but it's better if you stay in the park. I only stay in the park, and therefore, it's a good experience!

Elephants at the Reteti Orphanage

Ethics - On budget Safaris, there are no ethics. There is “greenwashing” where everyone is saying ECO or Ethical - but sadly it is not true. You must ask what the ECO rating of the place you are staying at is and book ECO Gold-rated lodges and camps if you want a truly ethical and sustainable experience. 

The Verdict: Why I Chose Kenya Over South Africa and Tanzania

I chose Kenya!

I loved South Africa, but I chose Kenya for an authentic Safari experience. With normal tourists going to Kruger, it gives it a cheaper feel for me. Also, I saw some shocking things with people throwing food out of the windows. 

Kenya has a British backbone, and you feel it. You feel safe, in any skin-colour, and you can move around. Not at night-time. I would be wary anywhere in the evening. But in the day, you can go to the city and shop, and you will not be abused in your car. At least in the Green Season, when I visit Kenya.

You can view and book my two bespoke luxury and ethical safari adventures at award winning Sunworld Safaris or 57Hours.