Guide to Choosing The Best Safari Destination; Masai Mara or Serengeti
The Masai Mara National Reserve of Kenya and the Serengeti National park of Tanzania are arguably the best Africa safari destination in the world, forming the larger Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. Both are ideal for a safari adventure, as they all offer the best safari experience, breath-taking landscapes and abundant wildlife all year round. Both Masai Mara and Serengeti are in two different countries yet they form one eco system, many people question, which one is the best safari destination than the other? In our blog we dive into the major similarities and differences that may help in deciding which is the best safari destination between Masai Mara and Serengeti.
The Size and Location of Masai Mara and Serengeti, which one is bigger?
Masai Mara National reserve aka Masai Mara or Maasai Mara is located in the Southwestern part of Kenya, with its name originating from the Maasai People “The ancestral inhabitants of the area”. Serengeti National Park is located in the northern region of Tanzania, its name is a Maasai word “Siringet” meaning “Endless Plains”. In terms of size Serengeti National Park is definitely the largest with an approximate size of 14,763 km2 (5,700 Square Miles), while Masai Mara National Reserve measures about 1,510km2 (580 Square Miles).
Eco system, Landscape and Wildlife of Masai Mara & Serengeti
Masai Mara and Serengeti are set in two different countries, stretching from South west of Kenya into the Northern Part of Tanzania forming the larger Mara-Serengeti ecosystem aka “The Serengeti Ecosystem”. Wildlife living in the ecosystem move freely from Serengeti to Masai Mara and vice versa since there is no physical barrier.
Despite Serengeti being larger in size, Masai Mara is known for a higher wildlife concentration making it a better wildlife sighting and game viewing area while on the other hand, Serengeti boasts a higher wildlife population that is spread across its plains. Masai Mara features more hilly terrain with dense acacia trees while the Serengeti is characterized with vast grassland, riverine forests and woodlands. Both Masai Mara and Serengeti offer similar wildlife and great chances of spotting the “Big Five” (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo) along with Giraffe, Hippos, Zebras, Cheetah and other bird species all year round. Similarly, both regions have a semi-arid climate with unpredictable rainfall patterns that vary significantly, impacting the movement and behavior throughout the year.
Best season and place to view the Great Migration, Masai Mara or Serengeti
The great migration “Wildebeest migration” is an annual natural phenomenal involving over 1.5 million wildebeests and other herbivores migrating from the Serengeti to Masai Mara, crossing several crocodile-infested rivers including the Grumeti river & Mara River in search of greener pastures as they follow the seasonal rains.
From January to March the herds can be viewed in Southern Serengeti, this period is known as the Calving season as over 500,000 calves are born, attracting predators like Lions, Hyenas and Cheetahs. April to June the herds move northward crossing the Grumeti River in Serengeti as they are joined with other herbivores in the journey. July to August is when the thrill and scenic drama takes cause as the herds cross the Mara River, from Serengeti entering the promised land of Masai Mara. From September to October the herds spread across the Masai Mara plains offering outstanding game views as the herds graze before starting their journey back to the southern Serengeti.
Where to Stay between Masai Mara and Serengeti
Both Masai Mara and Serengeti offer Word-class safari experiences with a wide range of accommodation options. Accommodation offered in both parks range from tented camps, safari lodges, resorts to hotels that are categorized in Budget, mid-range and high end/ Luxury accommodation.
Masai Mara offers more budget-friendly accommodations with most of the affordable safari lodges and camps located outside the Masai Mara reserve in private Masai Mara Conservancy areas. Most of this budget accommodations are located in the eastern part of Masai Mara which get crowded during the high season (July- September). Escaping the crowdedness, you will have to stay in another part of the park, meaning you will spend more money. Also, both parks offer mid-range accommodation options with Masai Mara offering more than Serengeti. Serengeti on the other hand has more luxurious lodges than Masai Mara offering exclusive safari experience with top notch amenities and personalized services.
Affordable Safari between Masai Mara and Serengeti. Which park saves you money?
Masai Mara safaris were cheaper but with the new 2024 park fee increment of both resident and Non-resident (Foreign tourists) rates, Masai Mara park entrance is a bit expensive with the entrance fees being USD 100 per day from January to June and USD 200 from July onwards. Saving on costs, Masai Mara offers the best budget accommodations. For Serengeti safaris the park fees are lower compared to Masai Mara, with park fees ranging from USD 70 per day during the high season and USD 60 during the low season. In terms of budget friendly accommodation Serengeti offers a few of them which are all located inside the park.
Safari enthusiasts or adventure travelers weighing on which park to choose/ visit, we highly recommend visiting both Masai Mara & Serengeti since they are joined together as they all offer the best safari experience in Africa. For those short in time and on a tight budget, Masai Mara is the better choice. If you have time for an extensive safari and willing to spend more on accommodation then Serengeti is for you. Time and Cost is not the only considerations on which park to visit but rather more of your interests and preference. Talk to our expert for assistants.
