Masai Mara vs Serengeti Safari Comparison: Which African Safari is Right for You?

Masai Mara vs Serengeti Safari Comparison: When planning a wildlife safari to East Africa, it often comes down to choosing between Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Both Masai Mara National Reserve and Serengeti National Park are known wildlife viewing destinations in Africa – especially because of the spectacular wildebeest migration, and the African Big Five Animals (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant). The fact that both offer excellent safari experiences makes it even more difficult to choose between Masai Mara and Serengeti, and therefore makes it even more necessary to understand the comparison between the two. For the time we have conducted safaris in East Africa, the frequently asked questions about Masai Mara vs Serengeti Safari Comparison cover up to ten major areas, including wildlife, accessibility, accommodation, safari costs and park fees, and the wildebeest migration, among others.

Questions like; Which African Safari is Right for You? Masai Mara or Serengeti, which one is best for an African safari? When organizing Safaris in East Africa, these have been the most frequently asked by most travelers, and in this article, we delve deep comparing from the wildlife viewing experience, location, landscapes, and scenery among others. Although the comparison between Masai Mara National Reserve and Serengeti National Reserve will guide you in choosing where to visit, it is important to know that both destinations are exciting and offer excellent wildlife viewing. Regardless of where you choose to visit, visitors are still guaranteed to have an excellent experience on their African safari.

Masai Mara vs Serengeti Safari Comparison: Both Serengeti and Masai Mara are remarkable safari destinations that guarantee excellent wildlife viewing during safaris. 

Location and Accessibility: Masai Mara & Serengeti Map, Size, and how to Reach there

Masai Mara National Reserve

The Masai Mara National Reserve is located in the southwestern part of Kenya in the Narok County within the former Rift Valley Province near the border with Tanzania. Masai Mara National Reserve borders the Serengeti National Reserve in Tanzania, from where it forms the large Mara-Serengeti ecosystem that hosts large numbers of wildlife and the spectacular wildebeest migration. From Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, Masai Mara is located 270 kilometers (167 miles) to the west.

The Mara covers approximately 1,510 square kilometers (580 square miles) without the including the surrounding private and community conservancies like the Mara North, Olare Motorogi, Naboisho, and Ol Kinyei that offer an extra buffer zones and extended habitats for wildlife in the region. When combine with the private and community conservancies, the the whole area extends to over 3,000 square kilometers (1,169 square miles).

The Reserve is accessible by both road and air. By road, it is reachable from Nairobi via Narok town on 5 to 6 hours drive. The popular routes are the Nairobi-Mai Mahiu-Narok-Sekenani Gate and the Ngong–Suswa–Narok route.

By air, there are daily scheduled flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Seronera Airstrip in Masai Mara National Reserve.

 

Serengeti National Reserve

The Serengeti National Park is located in the northern part of Tanzania within the Mara and Simiyu regions in the districts of Serengeti, Meatu, and Ngorongoro. It is located in the north west of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area where it is adjacent to Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve to the north forming the larger Mara Serengeti ecosystem.

Serengeti National Park is one of the largest national parks in Africa, spanning about 14,763 square kilometers (5,700 square miles) encompassing a diverse range of ecosystems including the savannahs, woodlands, riverine forests, and grasslands. The park has three major regions known for wildlife viewing including; Southern Serengeti (Seronera & Ndutu plains) popular for the wildebeest calving season, the western corridor (Grumeti region) and the Northern Serengeti (Lobo & Kogatende), popular for the dramatic Mara River crossing.

The National Park is accessible by both air and road. By road, visitors can drive to Serengeti from Arusha. The main gates in Serengeti include the Naabi Hill Gate (from Ngorongoro), Ndabaka Gate (from Mwanza/Western corridor), and the Klein’s Gate (from Lolindo).

By Air; there are several flights from Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, or Dar es Salaam that take you to different airstrips in Serengeti including; Seronera Airstrip (Central Serengeti), Kogatende Airstrip (Northern Serengeti), Grumeti Airstrip (Western Corridor), and Lobo and Ndutu Airstrips.

Wildlife Experience and Sightings: Masai Mara vs Serengeti Safari Comparison (Serengeti vs Masai Mara) – Which destination offers the best wildlife viewing opportunities?   

Both destinations are known for unbeatable wildlife viewing experiences in Africa especially for witnessing the African Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant) and the spectacular wildebeest migration. When comparing Which destination offers the best wildlife viewing opportunities between Masai Mara and Serengeti, it is difficult to point out on reason for choosing one over the other since each has its own strength. Depending on what you are looking forward to witnessing on your wildlife safari, you will be able to choose where to go between Serengeti and Masai Mara. Here are some facts and necessary information that will help you decide where to go between Serengeti and Masai Mara.

  1. Witnessing the African Big Five

For visitors looking forward to seeing the African Big five during an African safari, both Masai Mara National Reserve and Serengeti National Park are remarkable places to visit. The based on our past experiences and trips to both destinations, we can easily tell that sighting the African Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant) is much easier and more frequent in Masai Mara National Reserve than in Serengeti. Unlike Serengeti National Park that span a larger area, Masai Mara National Reserve is smaller and compact in nature thus wildlife do not wonder so far or hide where they can’t be spotted from.

It is however important to note that both destinations are known for hosting large number of these iconic species and can be witnessed during safaris.

  1. Witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration

If your main focus is on witnessing the spectacular mammal migration, both destinations are good for safaris. Serengeti here however, has more admiration from most travelers and travel experts since the migration takes more months in Tanzania than it takes in Kenya. it is important to know that two of the most spectacular phases of this migration (Wildebeest calving season & the dramatic river crossing) all happen in Tanzania. These are two of the most thrilling parts of the migration that any visitor shouldn’t miss on their safari. It is important to know that it is still possible to witness the dramatic river crossing from Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve however for the full cycle of the migration, Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park is a real deal here.

If you are there for wondering where to go for the wildebeest migration safari, Serengeti or Tanzania? Depending on the timing, each destination can be good; however, Tanzania’s Serengeti wins the crown for Wildebeest migration Safaris.

  1. Safari intensity & Crowds

Masai Mara vs Serengeti Safari Comparison – Safari intensity and crowds. When it comes to safari intensity and crowds Masai Mara National Reserve has long been the winner because of its compact size and large visitor numbers. The Serengeti National Park on the other hand is more varied and immersive since it is large and visitors can explore various area during safaris. The Masai Mara National Reserve is considered busier during the peak season compared to Serengeti with more space to spread out.

For those looking for a more immersive and less crowded destination, consider Serengeti over Masai Mara National Reserve.