
Maasai Mara vs Serengeti; which is best?
Maasai Mara vs Serengeti; which is best? Serengeti in Tanzania and Kenya’s Maasai Mara are two of Africa’s most famous locations for wildlife safaris. Both parks offer fantastic chances to see the Big 5 African animals: the lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo, as well as additional amazing sightings of cheetah, hippo, zebra, and giraffe. Animals can move freely between the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti since there are no walls separating the two parks.
So, how to choose between the two for your next safari? This manual will cover:
Where is Masai Mara and Serengeti?
When is the best time to visit Masai Mara or Serengeti?
Serengeti or Masai Mara for the Great Migration
Masai Mara and Serengeti safari lodges and camps
Planning your safari to Masai Mara and Serengeti
Serengeti and Masai Mara are practically next-door neighbors across a political line, despite the fact that they are in two separate nations. Masai Mara is located along Kenya’s southwest border, while the Serengeti is close to Tanzania’s northwestern border.
Serengeti is enormous, spanning more than 18,000 square miles, and it has a variety of topographies, including rocky outcrops, forests, and expansive grasslands. A little less than 1,000 square kilometres in size, Masai Mara offers lovely rolling hills dotted with shade Acacia trees. Both places profit from large rivers drawing a wide variety of life.
When is the best time to visit the Serengeti and Masai Mara?
In Africa, there is never a terrible moment to go on a safari. While the Serengeti and the Masai Mara both provide year-round opportunities for wildlife viewing, the changing of the seasons has an impact on which species are moving around and which you’ll be most likely to observe in big numbers.
When is the best time to visit the Serengeti?
The best times to see wildlife in the Serengeti are during the dry season, which lasts from June to October. This is because shorter grasses make it easier to see all of the animals and because many of them need to frequent or gather near water sources frequently. There are, however, certain exceptions. From December through February, rain might fall in the southern Serengeti, keeping the grasslands lush for the grazing herds of wildebeest. Additionally, this is the spark that starts the wildebeest calving season, which draws big predators in pursuit of simpler prey.
Typically, until April, wildebeest and zebra remain in the southern Serengeti. Then, when the dry season sets in, they start to migrate north, eventually arriving at the Masai Mara’s boundary in late July.
When is the best time to visit Maasai Mara?
Wildlife viewing safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve is often at its best from July to October and from December to March, when the weather is drier. Due to the lack of rain, local animals tend to congregate around rivers and watering holes, which makes it simpler to find opportunities for wildlife viewing. The annual wildebeest migration, during which animals leave the dry Serengeti in search of greener pastures, often occurs in the Masai Mara between July and October.
Serengeti or Masai Mara for the Great Wildebeest Migration?
As a result of the numerous wildlife movies that have made the dangerous voyage renowned, seeing the huge migration of wildebeest herds across the plains has become a must-do safari experience for many tourists. Giant wildebeest herds naturally start to migrate north in search of greener grass when the dry season sets in on the Serengeti in May. The big migration often referred to as “the greatest show on earth” is thought to involve more than 1.5 million animals.
Through June and July, one can observe vast herds of animals cross the Grumeti River in the Serengeti. Since the animals are dispersed widely, there are numerous stages in which they muster the confidence to cross the lake rather than just one.
The Great Migration.
While the exact dates of the great migration do vary, typically the herds arrive in the Masai Mara between July and October, where the enormous Mara River presents still another perilous barrier. Zebras, Thomson’s gazelles and antelope are added to the enormous herds of wildebeest, giving the waiting carnivores, which must cross through their grassy areas, a plentiful and varied diet. Crocodiles also slithered about in the murky water at the base of the steep riverbank.
The traditional ‘migration season’ for the Masai Mara lasts from late July until mid-October. By late October, the herds start to move south once more in expectation of the brief rains that will revivify the southern Serengeti’s green plains. The massive migration cycle then starts afresh from square one.
Safari lodges and tented camps of Maasai Mara and Serengeti.
There are numerous purpose-built lodges and luxury camps in both the Serengeti and Maasai Mara, offering accommodations for every price range. The thought of sleeping in the bush may not appeal to you if you have never been on safari, but these upscale camps are nothing like a scout camp. Large safari tents, spacious mattresses, plush sheets, and private bathrooms are all to be expected. In the parks, camps are frequently found adjacent to rivers or other bodies of water where wildlife congregates.
Safari lodges typically resemble tiny, traditional hotels or groups of bungalows arranged around a central structure. They are frequently seen close to a park’s entrance or inside a private conservancy on the park’s boundary.
Maasai Mara’s Governor’s camp.
Masai Mara’s Governors Camp – The camp offers roomy tents with private bathrooms right in the middle of the Masai Mara. It is situated on the banks of the Mara River. Famously, the BBC picked this camp to house the crew that was filming the “Big Cat Diary” series.
The first permanent lodge constructed in the Masai Mara, Keekorok Lodge features lovely suites with individual terraces that look out into expansive grounds.
Maasai Mara’s Sand River is a prestigious migration corridor and home to a small, premium camp with only 16 luxury tents.
Safari Lodge Serena, Serengeti – The lodge, which has 65 cosy rooms designed to seem like a typical African town, provides sweeping views of the Serengeti National Park.
Serena Safari Lodge, Serengeti.
Serengeti’s Mbuzi Mawe Serena Camp – Only 16 luxurious tents are available at this camp, which is centred around a tented dining area and outdoor terrace and named after a little antelope that lives nearby.
Pioneer Camp in the Serengeti – This luxury tent camp, perched above a rocky cliff, provides breathtaking views of the southern Serengeti. The bar and lounge are the ideal places to enjoy a sundowner or two because of the breathtaking views they offer.
Planning a safari to Maasai Mara & Serengeti.
Planning a trip to Africa on a safari typically requires doing so far in advance. It typically includes a variety of travel components, accommodation choices, and activities, so planning is necessary. Depending on how long you can remain in the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti, your safari trip may be anything from a few days to a week or more. Regardless of how much time you have there, you should make the most of it. You might like to go on a balloon safari adventure in addition to the conventional 44 safari. Since not all properties can provide these alternatives, include them in your plans right away.

Why choose the Maasai Mara for your safari?
Maasai Mara is a fantastic place to see wildlife. Along with the major events like the Great Migration, it can offer close encounters with certain species as well as a variety of safari activities. The Mara is frequently a fantastic location for a first safari trip because Kenya can offer exceptional pricing. If you can, try to include activities like a balloon tour above the Masai Mara in the morning to give you a special perspective on the surrounding wildlife.
Why choose Serengeti for your safari?
A safari in Tanzania’s Serengeti offers access to numerous animal viewing environments. The Ngorongoro crater, which offers a lush mountain landscape and excellent game viewing, can be combined with time spent in the plains. However, costs may be a little bit higher than a safari trip of a comparable length in Kenya due to the increased distances travelled.
“Both places are fantastic vacation spots. I frequently suggest Maasai Mara for anyone going on their first safari. Nairobi is serviced by frequent flights, and there are a wide range of camps and lodges in the park to suit every taste and budget. Mara offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, with the “Big 5” sometimes visible in a single day.
“I discover that repeat visitors who have been to Africa previously and are looking for something a little new are drawn to the diverse landscapes of Tanzania and the Serengeti. A truly unique safari experience is spending time in the Serengeti savannah and going on a safari in the Ngorongoro Crater. The extra distance may not seem like much, but it is well worth it.
“I frequently recommend combining a safari with a beach vacation. You move around on a safari when the animals do. This allows you to rise before the sun rises, but who doesn’t like to sip on a sundowner at the end of the day? It is much more enjoyable to have a late breakfast followed by a swim in the sea or a pool after spending a few days in the wilderness. That combo is unbeatable.
“I’ll make you one promise: African vacations are physically addictive. Once you have tried a safari you will always want to return back to see more!”
