Best Safari Destination in East Africa: Serengeti or Maasai Mara?
There are many incredible safari locations in East Africa, but there are two that specifically stand out: the Serengeti National Park, located in Tanzania, and the Maasai Mara National Reserve, located in Kenya.
Both of these parks provide breathtaking landscapes, wildlife views, and safari adventures. Interestingly, these two parks also form part of a single ecosystem. As such, the animals often migrate freely between these two places annually during the Great Migration of Wildebeests.
While travellers wanting to go on an African safari always want to know one very important thing:
Which travelling location would be better for me — Serengeti or Maasai Mara?
The answer to this question is a simple one… both! However, both have their own unique experience compared to each other. This detailed comparison will assist you in determining which park would best fit your travel style.
1. Location and Accessibility
It takes approximately 5 to 6 hours by road to get to Maasai Mara National Reserve (in southwest Kenya) from Nairobi; however, it takes about 45 minutes to fly domestically from Nairobi to Maasai Mara, making it fairly accessible.
Due to its much larger size and spread over a greater area, getting to Serengeti National Park in northern Tanzania takes more time than getting to Maasai Mara National Reserve. Travelers typically fly into Serengeti from Arusha via connecting airports and/or by airstrip.
In general, for people with a short amount of travel, getting to the Maasai Mara is easier and faster than getting to the Serengeti.
2. Size and Landscape
One of the biggest distinctions between Serengeti National Park and the Maasai Mara is their physical size.
Serengeti covers something like 14,750 km2, whereas Maasai Mara is only about 1,500 square kms.
Serengeti has endless open plains that feel completely wild and untouched because of its size, and thus creates a much more adventurous experience due to its vastness.
Even though the Maasai Mara is smaller than the Serengeti, its wildlife density is generally concentrated into a smaller area, so distances between wildlife sightings tend to be much shorter.
Both parks have the typical characteristics associated with an African savannah: acacia trees, rolling grasslands, rivers, and stunning sunsets.
3. Wildlife Viewing Experience
Both the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara in Kenya are fantastic places to watch animals. You will have an opportunity to see:
- Lions
- Elephants
- Buffalo
- Leopard
- Rhinoceros
- Cheetah
- Zebra
- Giraffe
- Wildbeest (gnu)
In the Maasai Mara, there are more predators than anywhere else, and you are going to see many lions. You are likely to encounter several predators on your game drive.
The Serengeti is more of a wild area; the animals are widely dispersed, but still have a huge variety of different species in very high numbers.
If you want to see a lot of animals, with shorter game drive distances, the Maasai Mara will be much more fulfilling.
If you want a more remote, larger safari, the Serengeti will be the best choice.
4. The Great Wildebeest Migration
Every year, 1.5 million wildebeest, as well as thousands of zebra and gazelle, migrate between Serengeti and the Maasai Mara in search of fresh grazing pasture. They migrate year-round, with different stages of migration occurring at various locations.
Serengeti is the home to the majority of the wildebeest’s migration for at least three-quarters of the year. Calving occurs mostly in the southern Serengeti (December – March) when thousands of calves are born each day, attracting many predators to the Serengeti. From the month of April to June, the herds migrate through the central Serengeti heading north.
Migration in Serengeti
For the majority of the year, the Serengeti is the location of the migration.
The southern part of the Serengeti becomes the calving season for many of the wildebeest from December to March. As a result, each day, thousands of newborn wildebeest will attract other animals to prey upon them.
From April to June, the herds migrate toward the north of the Serengeti through the central parts.
Migration in the Maasai Mara
The Maasai Mara is where migratory herds arrive between July and October. During this time, many of the widely publicized Mara River crossings occur. While many wildebeests take to the ominous river filled with crocodiles, great predators are waiting nearby.
The crossings during this time can be a dramatic scene, chaotic in nature, and an experience you will never forget.
If you are looking to witness river crossings specifically, the Maasai Mara is the better option versus other regions of the migration at this time.
5. Safari Crowds and Atmosphere
The Maasai Mara is much smaller and more accessible than the Serengeti, which can lead to greater activity during peak migration times.
At some of the popular river crossings, multiple safari vehicles may converge on one scene at one time while observing wildlife in action.
Due to the Serengeti’s size, visitors are better distributed over the greater land area, so even during the migration season, there are still plenty of areas in which you may feel like you are all by yourself.
If you are a traveler who prefers quiet and secluded safaris, you may want to consider the Serengeti over the Maasai Mara.
6. Accommodation Options
There are hotels available at both locations that cover a wide range of price points, from affordable camping to luxury safari lodges.
In the Maasai Mara, most of the campsites are located close to wildlife-preserved areas and “migration corridors.” Travellers can select to stay at lodges located within the Reserve or private conservancies that are located nearby.
The Serengeti also has upscale tented camps, mobile migration camps, and remote, secluded lodges maintained far deep inside the park.
In both locations, the accommodation usually includes:
- Game drives
- Full board dining
- Spectacularly scenic views
- Serengeti-themed dining
Exceptional hospitality is provided to guests on safari at both locations.
7. Safari Activities
At either location, visitors have many options for participating in safari activities.
For example:
- Game Drives (Morning and Evening)
- Hot Air Balloon Safaris
- Wildlife Photography
- Cultural Visits
- Bush Breakfasts/Sundowners
Both Serengeti and Maasai Mara also offer hot-air balloon safaris due to the unique perspective and beauty of the open plains from above.
8. Cultural Experiences
There are significant cultural ties between the Maasai people and the Maasai Mara region through which you can visit traditional Maasai villages, explore the Maasai culture, see performances of their local dances, and be able to experience their craftsmanship.
The Serengeti also has many cultural opportunities available to travelers who want to experience Tanzanian culture, such as the Maasai and other Tanzanian communities, while still enjoying the beauty of the park.
For those visiting both of these destinations, looking to combine wildlife with their cultural experience, there are plenty of ways to achieve that through the rich history of both locations.
9. Best Time to Visit
Maasai Mara Safari Times
The best time to visit Maasai Mara is from July through October for migration and river crossings; January through February for predator sighting; and from June through September for dry season wildlife viewing.
Serengeti Safari Times
The best time to visit the Serengeti is between December and March, during animal calving season; June to July for river crossing in the Northern Serengeti, and year-round animal viewing throughout various portions of the park.
Both parks provide outstanding safari experiences during all months of the year.
10. Photography Opportunities
Wildlife photographers will find both areas to be an amazing location.
Capturing images of some amazing animal behaviour in the Maasai Mara is much easier due to the ample supply of animals in the open plains.
Capturing breathtaking wide-angle photos and dramatic one-on-one pictures with animals is also easier in the expansive landscape of the Serengeti.
Both parks also contain incredible natural light at sunrise and sunset in the form of gold.
Which Destination is Better for First-Time Safari Travelers?
For people visiting for the first time:
The Maasai Mara has frequent wildlife sightings and is easy to reach, making it less intimidating and therefore potentially more rewarding.
Travellers seeking enormous wilderness areas and longer safari trips may prefer the Serengeti.
The Maasai Mara and Serengeti would both be excellent first African safari experiences.
Can You Visit Both?
Absolutely – countless safari enthusiasts do!
The two parks of the Serengeti and Maasai Mara share the same ecosystem – therefore, their combination creates a unique opportunity to experience one of the world’s finest safari adventures while on two different continents.
Safaris to Tanzania and Kenya offer the opportunity to:
- see the same animals at various times throughout the seasons
- enjoy a landscape that varies by area
- experience both parks with their respective wildlife diversity
- Compare two of Africa’s premier national parks
In summary, combining these two parks results in an unforgettable safari in East Africa.
Final Verdict: Serengeti or Maasai Mara?
There is no incorrect option to choose from, Serengeti National Park or Maasai Mara National Reserve.
For easier access from Nairobi, a high concentration of wildlife, dramatic river crossings, and shorter safaris, the place to go is the Maasai Mara.
For an experience of a vast and untouched wilderness, longer safari trips, calving season, and the ability to find yourself in large open spaces with fewer crowds, the place to go is the Serengeti.
In the end, both locations are by far the best in Africa for safaris.
Final Thoughts
The Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania are among the best safari locations on the planet.
Both have amazing wildlife, stunning scenery, and many opportunities to see wildlife.
Whether you are near the dramatic river crossings in the Maasai Mara or the vast plains of the Serengeti, you will have an extraordinary safari adventure with beautiful scenery and many memories that will stay with you forever.
Many people want to visit both places instead of choosing just one!
