Serengeti or Maasai Mara: Which Should You Choose?

One Ecosystem, Two Countries

The Serengeti and the Maasai Mara form one continuous ecosystem divided by the Tanzania-Kenya border, and the migration moves between them through the year. So the question is not which is better, but which suits your dates, budget and style of travel.

Size and Crowds

The Serengeti is roughly eight times bigger than the Mara, so there is more space and usually fewer vehicles at each sighting. The Mara is smaller and more concentrated, which can mean quick, easy game viewing but also more vehicles at big moments like a river crossing.

Where the Herds Are

The herds are usually in the Mara from about August to October and in the Serengeti for the rest of the year, including calving in the southern Serengeti from January to March. If your dates are fixed, this often decides it.

Cost and Access

The Mara is close to Nairobi, so short Kenya trips can be cheaper to reach, but daily park fees and lodge prices are broadly similar at the same comfort level. The Tanzanian side also lets you add the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire on the same trip without long transfers.

Our View

Most of our trips focus on the Serengeti side because it combines naturally with Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara, as in our 7-day northern safari. If you are deciding between the two, send us your travel dates and we will tell you honestly which side the herds are likely to be on.