What is the Difference Between Masai Mara and Serengeti?

The Masai Mara and Serengeti are both famous national parks in East Africa, offering fantastic safari experiences, stunning landscapes, and abundant wildlife. However, they have some differences that set them apart:

1. Size: Serengeti is much larger than Masai Mara, covering 14,760 km² (5,700 mi²), while Masai Mara is significantly smaller, covering 1,510 km² (585 mi²).
2. Landscapes and Habitats: Masai Mara is more hilly and has fewer trees, making game viewing easier, especially during the dry season. Serengeti, on the other hand, has diverse landscapes and habitats, including open grasslands, kopjes (rocky outcrops), evergreen riverine forests, and deciduous woodlands.
3. Great Migration: The Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra occurs in both parks, but the best time to see it in the Serengeti is from January to September, while in the Masai Mara, it is from September to October.
4. Wildlife Viewing: Both parks offer year-round wildlife viewing, but the Serengeti is particularly known for its diverse landscapes and habitats.
5. Accommodation: Masai Mara has more budget accommodation options than Serengeti, with many budget-friendly lodges and camps located outside the park in private conservancies or nearby. The Serengeti also has a variety of accommodations, but Masai Mara is known for having more options.
6. Park Entry Fees: Serengeti has higher park entry fees than Masai Mara due to the daily conservation fee that tourists staying inside the park have to pay.

In summary, both Masai Mara and Serengeti offer unforgettable safari experiences, but they differ in size, landscapes, habitats, and the best times to see the Great Migration.

Comparative Table: Masai Mara vs Serengeti

The Masai Mara and Serengeti are both iconic national parks in East Africa, known for their incredible wildlife and safari experiences. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the two:

Both parks offer unparalleled wildlife experiences and breathtaking landscapes. The Masai Mara is known for its high concentration of wildlife, particularly lions, and the Great Migration occurs from July to October. On the other hand, the Serengeti is larger and offers a more diverse landscape, with vast open plains and granite outcroppings. The Great Migration in the Serengeti is longer due to the park's size but not as concentrated as in the Mara.