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Home , Maasai Mara, Serengeti

OR THE WICH TO CHOOSE FOR YOUR SAFARI

NEW WORLD SAFARIS D E S T I N A T I O N M A N A G E M E N T C O M P A N Y African travel specialists

www.newworldsafaris.com NEW WORLD SAFARIS D E S T I N A T I O N M A N A G E M E N T C O M P A N Y African travel specialists

www.newworldsafaris.com Serengeti or the Maasai Mara: Which to Choose for Your Safari

Acacia-studded plains and wide open skies, herds of that stretch as far as the eye can see and prides of following in their wake. These are the iconic scenes that you can expect from the Mara-Seren- geti ecosystem – one of the most important and richly biodiverse in . The ecosystem is made up of ’s Maasai Mara National Reserve and ’s , with unfenced borders allow- ing animals to move freely between the two.

However, while cross-border voyages are easy for the region’s , it is surprisingly difficult for human visitors to travel between the two parks. To do so involves an arduous journey through remote land borders, or an expensive international flight. While New World Safaris can help plan an unforgettable itinerary that in- corporates the best of both countries, many visitors find it easier to focus on one or the other. So which is better – the Serengeti or the Maasai Mara? Read on to find out.

KEY FACTS ABOUT THE MAASAI MARA

Location and Geography

Maasai Mara National Reserve is located in southwestern Kenya, where it makes up the northernmost section of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. It was originally established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1961 and covers an area of 1,510 square kilometres, making it almost 10 times smaller than the Serengeti. In terms of geogra- phy, the primary landscape is rolling open , intersected by three major rivers (the Mara, the Sand and the Talek) and dotted with acacia woodland in the southeast. Along the western border ranges the dra- matic escarpment of the .

Animals and Birdlife

The Maasai Mara is renowned for having one of the greatest concentrations of game on the continent. This includes all of the Big Five, although Kenya’s only indigenous population of black rhinos are notoriously diffi- cult to spot. In particular, the Mara is one of the best places in the world for sightings. Other carnivo- res range from hyenas and jackals to bat-eared foxes, while the rivers provide sanctuary for hippos and Nile crocodiles. are abundant and include Thomson’s and Grant’s , and Coke’s . Of the 470 bird species recorded in the park, nearly 60 are raptors.

Activities and Highlights

The annual migration of several million wildebeest, and other antelope is the primary reason for tra- velling to the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. The movement of the herds depends on the rains and can be tricky to predict, but as a general rule the migration moves northwards into the Mara from July to October. July and August are the prime months for viewing crossings. Nevertheless, the Maasai Mara is a year- round destination and even if you miss the migration there’s plenty to do including game drives, hot air balloon trips and Maasai village visits. Private, Maasai-owned conservancies on the edge of the reserve offer added opportunities for night drives and guided bush walks.

www.newworldsafaris.com Serengeti or the Maasai Mara: Which to Choose for Your Safari

KEY FACTS ABOUT THE SERENGETI

Location and Geography

The Serengeti is located in northern Tanzania and has been partially protected since 1921. In 1951, it beca- me the country’s first national park. It is by far the largest section of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, sprawl- ing across 14,750 square kilometres. Its vastness inspired its Maasai name, siringet, which means endless plains; but actually, there’s more to the Serengeti than the flat and treeless that dominate the southern region of the park. Other habitats include riverine forest and dense woodland, while the primary ri- ver is the Grumeti, located in the Western Corridor area.

Animals and Birdlife

Like the Maasai Mara, the Serengeti offers almost guaranteed sightings of , , elephant and buffalo, while the fifth member of the Big Five (the rhino) is present but much harder to spot. Other preda- tors include , striped and spotted hyenas and two species of jackal, while the Serengeti’s lion popu- lation is the largest in Africa. All of these predators have to feed on something, and luckily the park also supports an incredible variety of herbivorous species, from wildebeest and plains to endangered Maa- sai , eland, gazelles and roan antelope. There are more than 540 bird species to look out for in the Se- rengeti.

Activities and Highlights

The Serengeti also offers game drives, hot air ballooning and Maasai cultural experiences, while private con- cessions with unfenced access to the national park allow for night drives and walking safaris as well. If you wish to time your trip around the Great Migration, then January and February are the peak months for wilde- beest calving in the Southern Serengeti. By June the calves are strong enough to make the journey north, and the herds can be seen on the move through the Western Corridor. From late June to August, dramatic river crossings are a highlight of safaris along the banks of the Grumeti and Mara Rivers.

Which Park Should I Choose?

In terms of scenery and wildlife, both the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti offer very similar experiences. For most people, the main deciding factor is how the movement of the Great Migration fits in with their desired holiday dates. For example, Tanzania is the better choice for migration action in January and February, while Kenya offers better sightings in September and October. Beyond that, there are a few other factors to consi- der:

Size and Crowds

Due to its much smaller size, the Maasai Mara can feel more crowded than the Serengeti. This is especially true in the Central Plains area of the park, which is the closest to and has the greatest number of lod- ges. If you visit in peak season (July to October), be prepared to share wildlife sightings with several other

www.newworldsafaris.com Serengeti or the Maasai Mara: Which to Choose for Your Safari vehicles and make sure to book accommodation well in advance. Meanwhile, the Serengeti’s vastness means that it is less crowded, more diverse in terms of scenery, and has more to offer for those planning an exten- ded safari. However, you’ll need to plan which area to visit carefully in accordance with the season for the best experience.

The Mara’s compact size can be a pro, too. You can cover a lot more ground in a short space of time, while the fact that wildlife is more concentrated makes the park less seasonal than the Serengeti. There are also ways to avoid the crowds. Consider traveling outside peak season (November to April is best for birding), splash out on one of the two luxury lodges located in the remote area of the park, or stay in one of the more exclusive conservancies. Kenya has more conservancies to choose from than Tanzania.

Overall Cost

In terms of daily conservation fees, the Mara is slightly more expensive than the Serengeti. You can expect to pay $70 per adult if you’re staying within the main reserve, and $80 per adult if you’re staying outside the reserve. Conservation fees for the Serengeti are charged at $60 per adult, per day. With that being said, a Maasai Mara safari generally works out a bit cheaper than a Serengeti holiday overall. That’s because Kenya’s main airport is much closer to the Mara than Tanzania’s is to the Serengeti (saving you money on internal flights), while the Mara has a greater range of more affordable accommodation and group tours.

Onwards Travel

If you’re planning a multi-park safari holiday, Tanzania stands out as the better choice because of its proxi- mity to other world-class reserves. The Serengeti is part of the Northern Circuit, which also includes the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (for game-viewing in the world’s largest unfilled and intact caldera), Lake Manyara National Park (famous for its tree-climbing lions) and Tarangire National Park (home to huge herds of elephants). Other relatively close Tanzanian highlights include the legendary paleoanthropological site, , and Mount Kilimanjaro, the world’s tallest free-standing mountain.

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