Is Serengeti Better than Masai Mara? – Serengeti or Masai Mara where to Go for Safaris?

East Africa is a popular destination for African safaris, home to some of the most,  iconic safari parks in the world. East Africa is home to the award-winning Serengeti National Park and the prized Masai Mara National Park So, if you’ve decided on an African safari for your next trip (excellent choice), you still have a tough decision to make. Is Serengeti Better than Masai Mara?  “It’s time to find out which national park is really the king of the vast African plains. If you are wondering where to visit between Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Kenya’s prized Masai Mara National Reserve, here is a complete guide to make you better understand this destinations. Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve might be right next to each other, but which is the better one to visit? There are similarities and differences between the two.

Is Serengeti Better than Masai Mara? To help you reach a conclusion (and avoid leaving it to chance), we have compiled a comprehensive guide that compares the wildlife, landscapes, weather, and cuisine of both the Serengeti and Masai Mara to determine which one is better. So, start reading now because the wild is waiting for you.”

 

Wildlife

Serengeti National Park is known for its abundance of wildlife, particularly the Big Five – (lion, leopard, black rhino, bush elephant, and buffalo). You can see all of them in a single day if you’re lucky enough during your Tanzania Safari tour/trip. Besides this famous animals, the park is also home to giraffes, hippos, cheetahs, zebras, and wildebeests. The Great Migration is another highlight of the park, where over 2 millions of wildebeests, zebras, and antelopes travel across the plains in search of water and fresh pastures – a once-in-a-lifetime experience you won’t find anywhere else. A game drive in the Serengeti is an excellent way to witness these iconic natural phenomenon. The Wildebeest Migration happens more in Serengeti National Park than the Masai Mara.

 

Masai Mara National Reserve is another premier wildlife destination where you can see lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, hippos, gazelles, and crocodiles on your game drive across the Savannah. Like the Serengeti, the Masai Mara National Reserve is also the migratory route of millions of wildebeests between July and September. Both national parks offer incredible wildlife experiences that you won’t want to miss on your African Safari tour. African Vacation. Interms of wildlife, both Serengeti and Masai Mara has large numbers of wildlife species that you can see during safaris. For wildlife lovers, any of the above destinations will not disappoint you during your safari tour.

Landscape – Is Serengeti Better than Masai Mara?

The Serengeti National Park boasts vast grassy plains with acacia trees visible in the distance. Its name, ‘Serengeti’, originates from the Maasai word ‘siringet’, which means ‘the place where the land runs on forever’. This iconic safari park is one of the place in the world that will give you a perspective of endless wilderness – you’ll feel as though you could keep driving forever. The park covers 18,000 square miles and features an array of landscapes, including rocky outcrops sprawling grasslands, acacia woodlands, and forests that are home to diverse flora and fauna.

The vast Serengeti is further divided into three main parts: the Serengeti plains (a tree-less grassland), the western corridor (characterized by rivers and small mountain ranges), and the northern Serengeti (a remote woodland). This diverse geography resulted from extreme weather conditions over the years, with volcanic activity believed to have played a significant role in shaping Serengeti’s iconic craters. The vast landscapes in the Serengeti National Park inhabit diverse wildlife and birdlife for you to explore during your Tanzania Safari tour.

 

On the other hand, the prized Masai Mara National Reserve is smaller, covering only 580 square miles, although it’s no less stunning than the Serengeti. The reserve features vast stretches of open grassland and seasonal rivulets. To the southeast of Masai Mara, you’ll come across clusters of acacia trees. The acacia trees have an umbrella-domed appearance which has become synonymous with Kenya’s landscape and is a must-see for visitors.

The terrain of Masai Mara is also broken up by three major rivers – the Sand, the Talek River, and the Mara River – where hippos can often be seen drinking from the water’s edge, and crocodiles can be spotted floating along the current. Masai Mara is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

 

Weather

The Serengeti National Park experiences a moderate climate with average maximum temperatures of 27°C and average lows of 15°C throughout the year. However, the temperature tends to drop at night, so warm clothing is recommended. The park has three distinct seasons – a dry period from June to October, a short wet season from November to December, and a longer wet season from March to May. The during the wet seasons, the pours do not last all day, so you can have a great time year-round.

Just like Serengeti, the Masai Mara National Reserve has a similar climate, with slightly cooler temperatures. The average highs are 26°C and the average lows are 12°C. When planning safaris, travelers are recommended to have a good pack list since you still need to protect yourself from the sun as the UV rays in Kenya can be extreme, with a rating of almost 12. Anything over a rating of 11 requires you to take necessary precautions to avoid getting sunburnt.

Both the Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve offer ideal safari weather condition for tours all year round. You can explore both area all year round. Acacia Safaris Limited has the best safari deals to both Masai Mara National Reserve and Serengeti National Park.

 

Cuisine – Is Serengeti Better than Masai Mara?


Although this category is not directly related to national parks, it is important to consider the different cuisines of the countries where they are located. In this case, the Serengeti is located in a different country(Tanzania) from the Masai Mara (Kenya).  Food is a crucial part of any travel experience and each country has its own unique cuisine.

After a morning game drive, you will likely be very hungry (waking up at dawn does that to you). Fortunately, most lodges within the Serengeti National Park have on-site restaurants where you can enjoy a meal. While you may be tempted to stick to familiar dishes, you should try some traditional Tanzanian cuisine during your trip.

Tanzanian cuisine has influenced by the country’s past and geography, with flavors adopted from India and neighboring East African countries. Some traditional dishes include fried bread (which can be eaten alone or as a side dish), African-style pancakes (made with coconut, yeast, and rice flour), plantain soup, and curried fish.

Kenyan cuisine is also delicious, with traditional dishes are inexpensive and filling. Maize, potatoes, and beans are staples in many Kenyan dishes. You will likely come across a side dish called ugali during your travels, which is a starchy, cornmeal-based food used to mop up soups and stews.

For those, with a sweet tooth, mandazi is a must-try. It is a bite-sized, samosa-shaped fried doughnut infused with coconut and cardamom. Don’t worry, they are appropriate to eat for breakfast, and you can definitely have more than one.

 

Our Conclusion


Comparing Serengeti National Park and the Masai Mara National Reserve is a daunting task as both parks have a lot to offers. On one hand, Serengeti is renowned for its vast open plains, visitors,  can witness the famous wildebeest migration, and enjoy sightings of predators like lions and cheetahs. Meanwhile, Masai Mara is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including the Big Five, and offer stunning landscapes like the Mara River and the Oloololo Escarpment.

When it comes to the safari scene, both parks are equally impressive. While on a Serengeti safari, one can relish in the local delicacies like crispy plantains, and enjoy the serene beauty of the grassy plains. On the other hand, a Masai Mara safari offers breathtaking views of the towering acacia trees, with their fern-like leaves, and the chance to witness the incredible wildebeest river crossings Mara River.

Is Serengeti Better than Masai Mara? Both Serengeti and Masai Mara have their own unique charm and it’s difficult to determine which one is better. So, whether you choose to explore Serengeti or Masai Mara, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable experience full of wildlife sightings, stunning landscapes, and cultural encounters with the local Maasai communities.

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