Masai Mara is located in southwestern Kenya and shares its southern border with Serengeti Park in northern Tanzania. Not only do these national parks neighbor each other but Masai Mara and Serengeti share an unfenced border.
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Maasai Mara, also sometimes spelled Masai Mara and locally known simply as The Mara, is a large national game reserve in Narok, Kenya, contiguous with the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. It is named in honour of the Maasai people, the ancestral inhabitants of the area, who migrated to the area from the Nile Basin.
Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania together form the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem (aka the Serengeti Ecosystem). Masai Mara is located in southwestern Kenya and shares its southern border with Serengeti Park in northern Tanzania.
NOTE: Even though there is one road from the heart of Serengeti to Masai Mara, there is no border crossing between these 2 national parks. Some tours in Serengeti will take you just across the border in search of a river crossing during the wildebeest migration.
A safari isn't just about seeing incredible wildlife, it is also a cultural experience, and on this one, the Masai Mara wins hands down! The Masai Mara is named after the Maasai people who have lived throughout Kenya's Masai Mara and Tanzania's Serengeti regions for decades.
Serengeti Mara is a small portion of sloping grassland wedged between the Kenya border and the Mara River. Serengeti Mara is accessed near Kogatende Rangers Post, by crossing a concrete causeway spanning the Mara River.
Serengeti is a huge national park so we would recommend minimum four days in order to properly explore it and find the wildlife. Being so large, you do need to spend time driving around looking for the Big Five, which takes time. Plus in four days you'll experience different weather and a variety of safari experiences.
The Serengeti area is home to various local people, the most famous of them being the Maasai. The Maasai mostly live in harmony, sometimes in conflict, with nature. You are bound to visit your hosts when visting the area on your Serengeti safari.
There is no direct connection from Kenya to Serengeti National Park. However, you can take the taxi to Kisumu airport, fly to Masai Mara, then take the drive to Serengeti National Park.
Prices tend to be higher during the Peak season which is normally when the Great wildebeest migration happens as this attracts large numbers of visitors to Masai Mara making it more expensive to secure rooms due to the high demand. The Peak season runs from July to October.
Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, is one of the best wildlife destinations in Kenya and Africa, a premier conservation area which is why the Masai Mara is so important to the world being one of the few places on earth where wild animals and their ecosystem exist in a highly protected environment.
The Big Five in the Serengeti. The Big Five define that ultimate African safari experience: seeing these impressive animals - lion, rhino, leopard, elephant and Cape buffalo - roaming freely in their own habitat is something you will never forget.
Both parks offer the Big Five; however, it will be much harder to spot the animals in Kruger due to the layout of the park with the paved roads. Animals often stay far from the roads. If you want a more adventurous safari with multiple animal sightings, Serengeti National Park is the way to go.
At least, you should plan to spend 4 days 3 nights at the Masai Mara in order to view the good percentage of the variety of wildlife and scrivener in the park. The Masai Mara is a big place and 4 days would give you sufficient time to explore the most interesting parts of the park.
Masai Mara Ecosystem has been classified among the 'Seven Wonders of the World” due to the spectacular great migration when over 1 million wildebeests and more than hundred thousands of zebras cross the Mara River coming from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara in search of water and greener pastures.
The recommended port of entry, when travelling to the Masai Mara, is Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO) in Nairobi. NBO Airport serves as East Africa's biggest hub and as a result many convenient flight options are available.
Rhinoceros: The rhino is one of the most endangered species in Africa, having been hunted almost to extinction by poachers. To see one on safari is rare and heart-poundingly exciting. The Maasai Mara has a slowly increasing number of black rhinos, however the numbers are still around 30 individuals.
Kenya may be the better choice if you're looking for a more diverse range of experiences focusing on authentic cultural encounters. However, if you're interested in trekking Mount Kilimanjaro or exploring remote safari areas, Tanzania is the way to go.