SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK VS MASAI MARA NATIONAL PARK - WHICH IS BEST fOR SAFARI?
Two young cheetahs looking through long grass in the Masai Mara National Park / Image: @hgudka97
The Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara National Park are easily two of the most famous parks of their kind, not just in Africa but on the planet. Magnificent wildlife, unspoiled terrains, and idyllic scenery are just some of the qualities they share. But like anywhere as gorgeous as these locations, choosing which one to book for your safari can prove rather challenging.
While both parks share many similarities, each has its own features that attract travelers for different reasons. In this article, we’ll dive into the age-old Masai Mara vs Serengeti debate! Which option is the most fitting safari spot for you will depend on a few factors, all of which we will break down for you right here.
Magical 1-Day Ngorongoro Crater Tour
Experience a spectacular taste of Tanzania in our unforgettable 1-Day safari experience within the breath-taking Ngorongoro Crater
Landscapes in the Masai Mara National Reserve are varied. Here are vibrant green forests that cover the hillsides / Image: @davidclode
Where is the Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara National Park?
Together, the Serengeti and Masai Mara make up the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, with each park lying on different sides of the Kenya-Tanzania border. The Serengeti National Park sits on the Tanzanian side, covering vast swathes of the northern Mara and Simiyu regions.
Southern Kenya iswhere the Masai Mara National Park is located, in an area called Narok County. Although the parks belong to separate countries, there's no boundary in place, allowing the animals to roam freely. As you may have guessed, slightly different rules apply to humans, so be prepared when crossing the border.
Serengeti vs. Masai Mara: What Are the Differences and Similarities?
Differences:
The Serengeti is substantially bigger, with more varied landscapes.
You'll find more secluded, luxury accommodations within the Serengeti, while Masai Mara has a mix of lodgings inside and outside of the reserve that is often cheaper.
Masai Mara has a higher concentration of lions and cheetahs, but you have a better chance of seeing the Big 5, the Great Migration, and diverse bird species in the Serengeti.
It's easier to travel around the Masai Mara, while Serengeti safaris usually take more time.
Entry fees are higher for Masai Mara.
Self-driving safari tours are only permitted in the Serengeti; you must travel with a guide or driver in the Masai Mara.
Similarities:
Both are home to the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, elephant).
The Great Migration passes through both parks.
Climate, weather patterns, and tourist seasons are largely the same.
The beautiful vast lands of the Serengeti National Park is to be seen to be believed. Masai Mara vs Serengeti - which is better for safaris? Read on to find out / Image: @ray30
What Animals Do Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara National Park Have?
Each park offers some amazing wildlife-spotting opportunities, and seeing as they're part of the same ecosystem, similar animals reside in both. All that aside, it's important to keep in mind that the game-driving experiences themselves can be remarkably different for a few reasons.
Firstly, the Serengeti is almost ten times the size of the Masai Mara, meaning the animals are often much more spread out there. On the plus side, this increases your chances of enjoying more secluded game drives, as jeeps are less likely to congregate in one place. Conversely, you may have to spend a lot more time moving from place to place in search of particular animals, so you'll need to prepare for potentially longer drives.
The Masai Mara's more compact size and higher concentration of wildlife tend to make game-viewing much easier, which is ideal if you're visiting on a tight schedule. However, because of this, the Masai Mara can get very crowded during peak seasons. Having such a large volume of vehicles in a smaller area can, unfortunately, make the entire experience feel a little less special.
As you'll see below, the Serengeti and Masai Mara parks are home to largely similar wildlife species. That said, the chances of seeing specific animals are often higher in one park than in the other. For example, lion spotting is more commonplace in Masai Mara, while the Serengeti has a more diverse bird population. If you're visiting for the Great Migration, you'll have the best shot at experiencing this natural phenomenon in the Serengeti. Here, the migrating period is longer simply because of the park's size.
Animals in the Serengeti National Park
Lion
Elephant
Leopard
Buffalo
Rhino
Giraffe
Hippo
Crocodile
Zebra
Impala
Gazelle
Cheetah
Kori bustard
Marabou stork
Fischer's Lovebird
Animals in the Masai Mara National Reserve
Lion
Elephant
Leopard
Buffalo
Rhino
Cheetah
Zebra
Giraffe
Hippo
Antelope
Impala
Hyena
Ground hornbills
African fish-eagle
Griffon vulture
A male lion sitting in the long grass in the landscapes of the Masai Mara National Park. The Masai Mara is famous for their big cat population / Image: @rohit_varma
How Does the Pricing Between the Two National Parks Differ?
It isn't easy to provide a definite answer to this question, as the price you'll pay will depend on variables like accommodation, time of year, and the duration of your visit. However, there are some things to note in terms of pricing.
Until recently, the Masai Mara National Park fees were cheaper than those for the Serengeti National Park. As of 2024, though, the conservation fees per day for the Serengeti are around TZS 191,000 ($70) for adult foreign tourists and TZS 54,570 ($20) for foreigners aged 5-15. Children under 5 can visit for free.
For Masai Mara, foreign adults must pay approximately TZS 545,700 ($200) per day, while there's a fee of TZS 136,426 ($50) for children between the ages of 9 and 17. There's no charge for visitors under the age of 8.
It's typically easier to secure accommodation for safaris in Masai Mara National Reserve. This is because there's a plentiful supply of elite lodgings outside the park. Due to the sheer size of the Serengeti, staying outside of the park boundaries isn't a feasible option for most visitors. As such, most people decide to stay in one of the park's many hotels, lodges, and camps, all of which will incur nightly concession fees.
Fortunately, we specialize in creating customized African safari packages, meaning we can help you craft your dream wildlife adventure in either of these incredible parks!
What Park Has the Better Accommodation Options?
The vastness and popularity of the Serengeti means that the park is home to a wider range of accommodation options compared to Masai Mara. You'll mostly find high-end lodgings here, the majority of which lie inside the confines of the park. When it comes to five-star service in the most picturesque environments, it's hard to top the Serengeti for luxury safaris.
That's not to say there aren't some fabulous lodges and hotels in Masai Mara National Park; there just tend to be fewer of them due to the reserve's smaller size. What the Masai Mara also offers visitors is a chance to enjoy a lavish stay both inside and outside of the park, which most people opting for the Serengeti won't get to choose between.
Another thing to consider when choosing where to stay is that many accommodations are often packed into more concentrated areas in Masai Mara. Finding more serene spots is still very possible, but it might mean venturing further afield to the western and northern corners of the reserve rather than in the busier eastern section.
This isn't usually an issue in the Serengeti, as many lodges are quite spread out, allowing you to feel more immersed in nature and further from the crowds.
The Wildebeets of the Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti hosts the Great Migration every year which is why the Serengeti is so popular with millions of travelers worldwide / Image: @paulinha52
How to Get to the Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara National Park
To reach the Serengeti National Park, you will set off from Arusha, a city in northern Tanzania. Arusha is around an hour's drive from Kilimanjaro International Airport, where most foreign visitors fly into. This airport has connections to cities in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, but in some cases, you might find you need to make a stop in Nairobi or Dar es Salaam first.
From Arusha, the drive to the park takes roughly five or six hours, but this varies depending on which of the six entrances you're headed toward.
Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport serves as the gateway to the Masai Mara National Reserve. It's the busiest airport in East Africa and links the Kenyan capital with almost 60 destinations. After you land, you'll need to catch a short, one-hour flight to Masai Mara, which has a series of airstrips. Alternatively, you can opt to drive around 4 hours from the airport to the Masai Mara National Park.
Be sure to do your research before making any bookings, as your accommodation will usually arrange a ride for you when you land.
Birding is one of the wonderful experiences you will encounter in the Masai Mara National Park. Here are two vultures sitting atop of a tree / Image: @perventuator
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Time to Visit Each of the Parks?
The dry season, running from around June to October, is typically the optimum time for safaris in both parks. If you're hoping to catch the spell-binding Great Migration in either the Serengeti or Masai Mara, you should plan your trip during these months.
Those looking for a more low-key experience might want to consider a January or February trip. For fewer crowds and greater potential for spotting baby animals, this is the best time to visit Masai Mara National Park or the Serengeti.
We have a helpful month by month guide to the Serengeti weather to help you choose which month is right for your safari.
How Big Are Both of the Parks?
If you were to look at the Serengeti and Masai Mara on a map, you'd quickly notice that the Serengeti is the substantially larger park of the two. The Serengeti is over 14,000 kilometers squared, while the area of Masai Mara National Park is much smaller at just over 1,500 square kilometers.
To give you an idea of just how big the Serengeti is, it's larger than countries like Montenegro and the Bahamas!
Who Wins: The Serengeti National Park or Masai Mara National Park?
This leads us to the burning question: should you choose a Serengeti or Masai Mara safari? Both are some of the most extraordinary parks on the continent, but the Serengeti just beats the Masai Mara to the top prize.
Not only are you more likely to witness the Great Migration and the Big 5, but the quality and location of the lodgings give the park an extra edge that's tough to compete with!
Want to find out more about the Serengeti? Read our comprehensive guide to help you plan your trip.
Need Help Planning A Safari In The Serengeti?
YOU DREAM - WE CREATE
Our tailored Tanzanian safaris are bespoke and customizable and we design to cater to your every need.
Our Design team is dedicated to crafting personalized experiences that perfectly align with your preferences, requirements, and aspirations. From the sweeping plains of the Serengeti to the untamed beauty of Ngorongoro Crater, we leave no destination in Tanzania unexplored.
Whether you're venturing alone, with a partner, as a group, or with your family - Reach out to us today, and let's embark on the journey of a lifetime!