The Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya are two parts of the same ecosystem. The wildebeest move between them, crossing the Mara River that runs through both. They share the same wildlife, but they are run under different rules, in different countries, and they feel different on the ground. Here is how to choose.
Side-by-side comparison
| Serengeti (Tanzania) | Masai Mara (Kenya) | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | about 14,750 km² | about 1,500 km² reserve, plus conservancies |
| Migration herds | Most of the year | About July to October |
| Calving season | Yes, January–February in the south | No |
| Off-road driving | Not allowed in most areas | Allowed in some conservancies |
| Night drives | Not in the national park | In private conservancies |
| Crowds | Busy in Seronera and the north in peak season; quiet elsewhere | Busy in the main reserve in peak season; quieter in conservancies |
| Access | Long drive or flight from Arusha | Shorter flight or drive from Nairobi |
Size and space
The Serengeti is roughly ten times the size of the Masai Mara National Reserve. That space matters. Outside the busiest areas, you can drive for long stretches without seeing another vehicle. The Mara is compact, which means shorter drives between sightings, but vehicles gather quickly at the best ones.
The migration
The herds spend most of the year in Tanzania. They are in the southern Serengeti for calving from about December to March, move through the centre and west from April to July, and reach the northern Serengeti and the Mara from about July to October. If you want the migration outside July to October, the Serengeti is the only option. For crossings in August and September, both work. See our Serengeti guide for month-by-month locations.
Rules and experience
In the Serengeti, vehicles stay on tracks and game drives end at dusk. In the Masai Mara, the main reserve has similar rules, but private conservancies around it allow off-road driving, walking and night drives with limits on vehicle numbers. Read Tanzania national park rules for the Tanzanian side.
Cost
Both are premium destinations. The Serengeti’s park fees and remote logistics make it expensive, and the Mara’s conservancies also charge high fees. Costs depend more on the camp and season than the country. Our guide to Tanzania safari costs explains what you pay for.
What else is nearby
- Serengeti: the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar.
- Masai Mara: Nairobi, Amboseli, Laikipia and the Kenyan coast.
Tanzania’s northern circuit gives you several very different parks on one road trip, which is a big reason many travellers choose it.
Which should you choose?
- Choose the Serengeti if you want the migration outside July to October, calving season, more space, or a trip combined with the crater and Zanzibar.
- Choose the Masai Mara if you have limited time, are starting in Nairobi or want night drives and off-road access in conservancies.
- Either works for river crossings in August and September.
We specialise in Tanzania. For crossings on the Tanzanian side, see River Crossing Season. For calving, Calving Season, Ndutu. For a shorter trip, Serengeti & Crater.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, by far. The Serengeti covers about 14,750 km², while the Masai Mara National Reserve is roughly a tenth of that size, with more land in surrounding conservancies.
Usually in the northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara, crossing the Mara River back and forth. Both sides can be good.
Yes, but it takes time. There is no direct tourist crossing inside the ecosystem, so most travellers fly between Tanzania and Kenya.
