The Masai Mara National Reserve of Kenya and the Serengeti National Park of Tanzania are two of the most popular and awe-inspiring wildlife parks in the continent of Africa. Both are famous for their annual Serengeti migration, the most significant movement of wildebeest, zebra, and other plain’s herbivores between the two parks in search of fresh pastures and water. Deciding between these two legendary parks can be pretty challenging. Below is a brief on the Masai Mara and the Serengeti to assist you in making the right decision as to where to go for your African safari.
Wildlife Viewing
The wildlife population of the two regions, namely the Masai Mara, and Serengeti, is incredibly diverse. Common animals you are likely to see on your trip to the Mara include lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffs, hippos, crocs, giraffes, zebras and various species of antelopes. Mara River is ideal because animals congregate around the river to take water hence offering prefect view. In terms of wildlife, the Serengeti is also endowed with a wide variety of wildlife products, which include all the major predator animals and more than 500 bird species. Both parks also offer different types of migrations according to the seasons.
The Great Migration
Herbivore herds migrating between the two parks during the months of July to October exhibiting rains and fresh grass growth is a common sight in the Great Migration. When the migration is on, there are great opportunities to witness river crossings in the Mara. The concentration of animals is high in the Serengeti when the animals move to the open plains to give birth. For the dramatic river crossings, choose the Mara while for more animals on the immense plain grasslands, choose the Serengeti.
Scenery and Landscapes
Both parks have a fantastic view. The terrain of the Masai Mara is characterized by open rolling grasslands, woods and expansive riverine country. This makes for excellent viewing and photographic opportunities. The Serengeti plains are flat and seemingly endless, punctuated by occasional signs of woodlands and hills. The size of the landscape here is incredible. Mara has complex topography of the land which is different from that of the Serengeti which has the best vantage view of the plains.
Accommodation and Facilities
There are different classes of accommodation in Masai Mara from the low end to the high-end lodges. There are fixed tented camps, lodges, bungalows and campsites. The Serengeti also has luxury accommodations in the form of lodges and tented camps, but economical choices are scarce. Both parks have good road network for game drives mostly in 4X4 vehicles. Air transport is possible to each park’s airstrips. The Mara usually offers a variety of accommodation units and more so well-developed road networks.
Accessibility and Travel
The Masai Mara is relatively easy to access since it lies about 5-7 hours’ drive from Nairobi. There are daily airstrips from Nairobi in less than one hr. The Serengeti is comparatively more distant – about 5 hours by car from Arusha and one hour by air. Those who don’t have much time to travel the Mara is better positioned than the Serengeti because it is closer to Nairobi. These added driving distances indicate that the Serengeti is more appropriate for longer safaris than any other destination.
So which is best? The decision between Masai Mara and Serengeti can be made based on their preferences, wallet and number of days they are willing to spend on the trip. Here for great migration river crossing, choose the Mara. If one wants to see plains without an end, then Serengeti is the place to go. Can’t decide? Both are perfect for a longer safari to enjoy the most fantastic plains of East Africa and the density of wildlife!
