Masai Mara vs Serengeti: Which African Safari is Better?
Having to compare Masai Mara vs Serengeti & making a choice between Masai Mara and Serengeti for your next African safari is quite challenging. Both are amazing destinations for animal sightings and offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities from viewing prowling prides of lions to the annual wildebeest migration.
Both Masai Mara and Serengeti offer incredible wildlife viewing opportunities, but there are some key differences to consider. This guide will help you make an informed decision and choose the perfect destination for your East African adventure.
Which safari is better Masai Mara or Serengeti.
Which one is actually better?
Firstly, we will have to address the differences of Masai mara vs Serengeti.
The Masai Mara is located in Kenya occupying an area of 1,510 square kilometers while Serengeti is located in Tanzania occupying an area of 30,000 square kilometers. From this comparison, both are located in different political boundaries while in size, Serengeti is much bigger. But does this conclude that Serengeti is way better than Masai Mara?
Masai Mara vs Serengeti Map – Location and Accessibility.
One of the main differences between Masai Mara vs Serengeti is their location and accessibility.
Masai Mara is located in southwestern Kenya, while Serengeti National Park is in northern Tanzania. Masai Mara is more easily accessible by road from Nairobi, while Serengeti requires a longer drive or a flight to reach.
However, Serengeti offers a wider range of transportation options, including hot air balloon rides and walking safaris. Consider your travel preferences and logistics when choosing between the two destinations.
Tourism Activities in Masai Mara vs Serengeti:
Masai Mara Activities, Habitat and Landscape.
Masai Mara is a mostly visited safari destination any traveler wouldn’t want to miss. Night game drives normally start at 7pm lasting for around two hours.
It is known for its scattered vegetation where different kinds of acacia trees dotting the landscape can be seen. Furthermore, diverse wildlife is notable in this big chunk of land although incomparable to that of the Serengeti.
Some of the Masai Mara activities here are; Game drives, nature walks, horse riding, birding, balloon safaris, wildebeest migration and cultural experiences while animals notable here include wildebeest, zebras, crocodiles, big cats, hyenas, elephants gazelles among others.
See the most popular Tourist Attractions in Kenya.
Serengeti Tourist Activities, Habitat and Landscape.
The Serengeti is known for its annual wildebeest migration, which is one of the largest mammal migrations in the world securing it as one of the ten natural travel wonders of the world and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. It includes diverse habitats such as riverine forests, woodlands, kopjes, grasslands and swamps.
Some of the activities here are; Game drives, Nature walks hot air balloon safari, Masai cultural experience, bush meals, visit the Ngorongoro crater, viewing the wildebeest migration among others while some of the animals notable here include buffalos, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, big cats, elephants among others.
Flying Safaris in Masai Mara vs Serengeti – which Safari offer the best do observation from the sky.
It is evident that there are quite more activities to indulge in while in Serengeti than Mara. Besides, its landscape and habitats are scenic and loved by most travelers on safaris some of which are the Olduvai Gorge, Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano aka Mountain of God located in the south Lake Natron in the Arusha region.
However in the central Masai Mara, there exists vast plains and the Mara River is surrounded by lush river forest. The conservancies that are established around boast a more varied range of habitat such as acacia woodlands and rocky outcrops.
Which Park attracts most animals between Masaii Mara and Serengeti?
So, where do most animals spend their time?
It all depends on the time of year and when rain falls, especially in the Serengeti. The endless plains of the Serengeti provide pasture during the rainy season of December to May.
During which, the plains are loaded with predators and grazers on the hunt. Now during the dry season of July to October, wildlife is scanty although there are still numbers of resident game on the plains.
We should also take the Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania into account which habours all the animals any time of year that don’t usually migrate.
Conclusively, both Masai Mara and Serengeti offer excellent safari experiences. The Masai Mara undisputedly has a slightly higher concentration of wild game any time of year, but even still, Serengeti offers extra ordinary experiences that no parks in Tanzania or Kenya could ever match.
It is the centre of the epic wildebeest migration and holds about 1.5 million blue wildebeest, 250,000 zebra, and the largest population of predators mainly lions in Africa.
3 Days Masai Mara Safari Vs 3 Days Serengeti Safari:
Embark on a 3 Day Masai Mara Safari from Nairobi and enjoy an unforgettable Kenya wildlife experience that involves Big 5 game, birding and immerse yourself in local culture while staying in luxurious accommodation all in a company of our local tour guides…
Nothing gets you such a mesmerizing African wilderness experience like immersing yourself into the endless savanna plains of Serengeti National Park. 3 days Serengeti National Park is with no doubt one of the most exceptional Tanzania…