Serengeti vs. Masai Mara, Which is Better and When?
When it comes to wildlife safaris in East Africa, two destinations emerge at the top: Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve. The former is in Tanzania, but the latter is in Kenya, and more importantly, they border each other. But what if you were to choose one of them for your wildlife safari: which one would you go to? Serengeti, or Masai Mara? In this article, we compare these two famous wildlife sanctuaries.
Location
The Serengeti and Masai Mara, located in East Africa, stretch across two neighboring countries. Serengeti lies in north-central Tanzania within the famous Northern Circuit. It borders Kenya to the north and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the southeast. This park is 320 kilometers (200 miles) from Arusha, the safari capital of Tanzania.
Masai Mara, on the other hand, lies in the southwest of Kenya, adjacent to the Kenya-Tanzania border. You can simply get there by driving from Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. This distance is 224 km (140 miles).
So, regarding location, both the Serengeti and Masai Mara are strategically located and easily accessible. Each has many direct flights from the safari gateway (Arusha and Nairobi). And it’s possible to switch from one to another, though it might be challenging during peak season.
Size
In terms of size, the Serengeti is almost 10 times bigger than the Masai Mara. It spans 14,763 square kilometers (5,700 sq miles). The Masai Mara is just 1,510 square kilometers (580 sq miles).
Habitat.
The Serengeti and Masai Mara stretch from one country to another. Which means they share one mega ecosystem: the giant Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. And there’s one thing that connects these two protected areas – the Great Migration. We’ll get to that later in the article. The Serengeti is a land of wide-open plains, mainly in the central and southern parts, with rolling hills in the north. The plains are periodically dotted with rock outcrops (kopjes), which host lions and cheetahs.
Similarly, the Masai Mara mainly comprises open savannahs and acacia woodlands. Other habitats include riverine forests, especially along the Mara River, hills, and escarpments. So, there’s no greater variation in habitats between these parks – only the Serengeti is expansive, while the Masai Mara is more compact.
Wildlife experiences.
The Great Migration is shared by both. It starts in the Serengeti. Then move into the Masai Mara. Therefore, it’s essential to track the dates. From December to March, the wildebeest and zebra herds are in the southern plains of this wonderful park.
Rainfall starts falling in November in the fertile grounds of Southern Serengeti, where they eat fresh grass and calve about 500,000 newborns, attracting a large group of predators – lions, leopards, cheetahs, and spotted hyenas.
As the rain stops in April, the herds move northwards to the central region (Seronera Valley) on their way to the Western Corridor. Grumeti crossings are always expected in May and June, and from there, animals move straight to the north. And from July to September, the herds cross the giant, crocodile-infested Mara River.
And the best part. You can witness Mara River crossings from either the Serengeti or the Masai Mara. That’s, the Mara River traverses both parks, and not necessarily a border. However, only animals are free to cross the fenceless Kenya-Tanzania border, not people.
Migration herds start to enter the Masai Mara from as early as July. By September, many herds spread throughout the Mara River and continue to feed on the fresh grass. By the end of October, clouds start to build in the southern Serengeti and Ndutu. The animals start their move, this time faster, back to the south.
To conclude, if your trip falls anywhere between January and August, and December, then go to the Serengeti. But if you plan to see the wildebeest migration in September and October, the Masai Mara is a great option.
Big Five.
Both Serengeti and Masai Mara are home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino). But with the Masai Mara being extremely small, it’s much easier to spot these wonderful animals. So, if you’re in a hurry, we recommend the Masai Mara for ticking the Big Five.
Serengeti, in contrast, is large and may take some time to see the Big Five animals. It’s perfect for those planning to stay for at least three days. However, Serengeti is great when combined with its neighbor, Ngorongoro Crater, which offers another opportunity to see the Big Five.
Cost.
Of course, so many parameters apply when calculating the cost – transfers, lodges, activities, and level of comfort. The park fees are also crucial. That said, the Masai Mara has higher park fees than the Serengeti. Regarding accommodations, Serengeti camps charge more than Masai Mara camps.
In conclusion,
So, which option is better for you? Still can’t figure it out? We can help you. But if you have enough time (at least 10 days) and budget, why not visit both? With any option, we are here to help you plan this trip. Call a Focus East Africa Tours expert to start planning.
