Which is better, Serengeti or Masai Mara? 

What a critical question to ask while deciding to visit Africa.  But before we dive into the topic.

Let’s examine some background information for these two parks

Where are the Serengeti and the Masai Mara?

Where are the Serengeti National Park and the Maasai Mara Game Reserve? Both parks are in East Africa.

The Serengeti is part of Tanzania’s northern safari circuit. The Maasai Mara is located in southwestern Kenya.

Both parks cover 30,000 square kilometers and are among the largest African safari destinations.

Both parks share the same ecological zones but are distinct entities.

The Tanzanian government administers the Serengeti, whereas the Kenyan government administers the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Despite being Africa’s leading wildlife safari destination.

The critical question of where to visit remains a big challenge for visitors to East Africa.

What are the similarities and differences between Serengeti and Maasai Mara?

Let’s start with the similarities between these parks.

1. Shared eco-system between Serengeti and Masai Mara

Both the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara are considered part of a single complex ecosystem—the stretch of land from northern Tanzania to Southwestern Kenya.

Wildlife can move freely between the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti. That is why these parks are taken as a single ecosystem.

2. Wildlife in Serengeti  and Masai Mara

The wildlife in both the Serengeti and the Maasai is unparalleled in Africa.

The park’s natural environment and abundant food are the primary reasons for the substantial increase in the number of wild animals.

The iconic event for the wildebeest migration involves millions of gnu and zebras. It is one of the best-known natural phenomena recorded by humankind.

This ongoing activity runs from July to January. However, the Mara River crossing is unpredictable. Most of the time occurs from July to September.

The Serengeti and Maasai Mara, when it comes to predator populations, are magical. More than 3,000 lions, 8,000 leopards, and more than 1,000 elephants live across this plain.

The prominent five families include. Cape buffalo, Elephants, Leopards, and Black rhinos are the ordinary residents.

The deadly Nile Crocodiles and Hippos are the other residents of this ecosystem.

Along the Mara River, small ponds within the parks are the best places to spot wildlife.

Serengeti provides evidence of larger herds of Giraffes and other ungulates.  Topi, Impalas, Gazelles, Elands, and Kongoni. The South-East plains of the Serengeti remain the Cheetah’s home.

The Seronera River is the best spot for Leopards near trees.

The Maasai Mara is known as a birding paradise, with more than 470 bird species. But also sighting small predators such as black-backed jackals and bat-eared foxes.

Both these parks provide the best wildlife experience. The Maasai Mara is wide open.

The vegetation cover is highly fragmented, whereas the Serengeti is larger. Encounters between predators and prey are widespread in the Serengeti.

3. What is the climate classification between Serengeti and Masai Mara?

There are no significant altitude differences between these two parks that would produce differences in weather.

Maasai Mara and Serengeti temperature range from Mean temperature approx.15 to 25 °C (59 to 77 °F) at Serengeti.

In the Maasai Mara, mean temperatures range from approximately 12 to 30 °C (54–86 °F).

4. How does the landscape look in the Masai Mara and the Serengeti?

The landscapes between the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara are, to some extent, the same.  As far as the lie of the land is concerned.

By observing the landscapes between these parks, one can tell the similarities.

The dominating grasslands are rocky outcrop hills (kopjes) and seasonal rivers.

The altitude in the Serengeti ranges from 920 to 1850 meters, and in the Maasai Mara from 1500 to 2200 meters.

What are the differences between Serengeti and Maasai Mara?

5. Types of Parkfees and Accomodation in Serengeti and Masai Mara

Fees in Serengeti National Park are higher than those in the Maasai Mara. While in Serengeti, apart from entry fees.

Visitors staying within the park should be required to pay concession fees.

Staying inside the Serengeti can cost around $130 per day, compared tothe  Maasai Mara, which is $70

Accommodation prices differ between the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti.

The Maasai Mara has more camps and lodges within the game reserve than the Serengeti.

There are some driving factors for this. The Serengeti is classified as a national park.

National parks are the highest level of conservation. While the Maasai Mara is a game reserve.

The protected status of the Serengeti differs from that of the Maasai Mara.

4. Wildlife density and size in Masai Mara and Serengeti

The Serengeti is larger and has higher wildlife density than the Maasai Mara.

The size of the Serengeti as of this writing is 30,000 square kilometers, while the Maasai Mara is 1,510 km².

The Serengeti is known for its large lion population. It is the only place where pride can be observed in its natural setting.

In addition, the Serengeti hosts millions of wildlife species. The high number of wildebeest, birds, Elephants, and bird species.

There is no doubt that the Serengeti has a higher density than the Maasai Mara.

3. What is the conservation status between the Masai Mara and the Serengeti?

The Maasai Mara in Kenya is a game reserve, whereas the Serengeti is a national park.

There is a slight difference between these two categories of conservation.

Some human activities may be permitted in game reserves, such as hunting in designated areas.

But the national park is the highest level of conservation. This adheres to the strict protection “Take Nothing, Live Nothing”.

No human interference is allowed in national parks.

Let nature be as it is. This establishes the distinction between these two parks.

2. International recognition and outstanding values.

Both parks are among the top 10 African Wonders for Nature.

Both share the migration event. The Serengeti is one of the seven wonders of Africa and also one of the 10th wonders of the world.

Both the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti are incredible places worth visiting.

However, the decision of which park to visit depends largely on your preference: density or view.

1. Best time to visit Serengeti and Masai Mara

There is no doubt that these two parks are the wildlife galaxy of Africa.

However, the time of your visit to either the Serengeti or the Maasai Mara will determine the experience.

If you’re looking for the wildebeest migration, you must align with the time frame.

Serengeti is excellent during the dry season from June to September.

The Mara River crossing happens during September, and larger herds migrate to Kenya.

During October, the Maasai Mara’s wildlife density doubled.

In December, January, February & March

The Serengeti and Ngorongoro are the most impressive wildlife sanctuaries in the world.

From December to March, the plains of Serengeti and Ngorongoro become home to wildebeest.

The great herds graze on rain-ripened grass. This is the best time to visit the Serengeti.

From late January to mid-March, over 80% of wildebeests give birth.

The concentration remains on the Ndutu and Salei plains (south ofthe  Serengeti)

This is the best time to observe predators such as lions and cheetahs. For a better stay, you should focus on staying at a mobile camp in the Ndutu or Naabi area or at Ndutu Safari Lodge.

Learn more about Serengeti Migration.

What are the best tours for the Masai Mara and the Serengeti?

If you’re looking for the best combined trip for either the peak of Africa, “Mount Kilimanjaro”. The best combination could be Serengeti National  Park.

But also visiting Serengeti will offer you the best chance to see the Olduvai Gorge – the cradle of mankind. But what if you want to visit Ngorongoro Crater or Zanzibar Island?

Then, the Serengeti could be the best option to go for.

Explore our combined trips to the Serengeti & the Maasai Mara

Despite all that, these parks are the best destinations to visit in Africa.

The plenty of wildlife and the incredible view are a lifetime experience you won’t dare to miss.

You might wish to visit these parks, but you don’t have any idea where to start or how many days would be best for your trip. Feel free to contact us.

We create and customize a unique tour for you, either in Tanzania or Kenya.

You might also be interested in reading our other Articles

• The Ultimate Guide to Serengeti 
• How much does a Tanzania safari cost?
• Why You Should Visit Tanzania