Kruger, Serengeti or Masai Mara?

Should I go on safari in Kruger, Masai Mara or Serengeti?

You won’t get us to say that Kruger is better than Serengeti, Serengeti is better than Masai Mara or vice versa.

Why not?

Because it all depends on your expectations.

Dream of experiencing endless grassy plains or is varied scenery more of a priority?

Want to see a lot of animals? Or is it more important for you to see certain animals?

Do you want to be able to choose from a wider selection of lodges?

What would you like to experience – BESIDES safari?

So the best place to go on safari depends on your expectations of the experiences.

Why should you go on safari in Kruger National Park?

You should go on safari in Kruger National Park because you get excellent safaris AND an entry ticket to experiences throughout South Africa.

Kruger National Park is big – the largest of the three. And the landscape is varied, with dense vegetation, woodland and open plains.

The national park offers excellent safaris with a wide variety of wildlife: The Big Five, hippos, giraffes, kudus, antelopes (and many, many more), and if you’re lucky, some of Africa’s rarer species such as the black rhinoceros, leopards and wild dogs. And with its 500+ bird species, Kruger National Park is paradise for bird lovers.

But compared to Serengeti and Masai Mara, it is more difficult to spot the animals in Kruger because there are more places for them to hide. Especially during and just after the rainy season, when the vegetation is greener and denser than after a long period without rain.

On the other hand, a safari in Kruger National Park is an entry ticket to the whole of South Africa – A world in one country – and not “just” safari.

We’re thinking delicious red wine in the lush wine regions, unique culinary experiences (try “biltong”, “braai” or perhaps a kudu or ostrich steak, for example), the most scenic coastlines and, of course, Cape Town – one of the world’s most fascinating big cities.

 Why should you go on safari in Serengeti National Park?

You should go on safari in Serengeti National Park because you’ll be blown away by the endless expanses of grass as far as the eye can see and a sky bigger than you thought possible.

Serengeti National Park is perhaps the most popular of the three parks.

“Serengeti” means “endless plains”, and you certainly get that here. Endless, open grasslands, sporadic vegetation and a sky that goes on forever.

And animals, of course!

More animals than you ever imagined seeing at once.

Although fewer species of mammal live here than in Kruger, for example, in Serengeti, you’ll feel that you’re experiencing more animals, simply because the animals live here in greater numbers; large herds of hippos in hippo pools, one of Africa’s highest densities of lions, zebras, gazelles, giraffes and many, many more besides.

And you will see a LOT of animals!

But due to the vastness of Serengeti, it’s also possible to drive for a whole day without seeing what you really want to see. If the cheetahs are in the north and you’re in the south, well, you’ll likely return to your camp with unfinished business.

Why should you go on safari in Masai Mara?

You should go on safari in Masai Mara if you want to experience one of Africa’s oldest safari destinations offering world-class safaris, good accommodation options and a more “compact” safari than in Serengeti.

Masai Mara is relatively small compared to both Kruger and Serengeti. Masai Mara is in many ways an extension of Serengeti, as the two parks share the same ecosystem.

The vegetation is more varied than in Serengeti but cannot be compared to the vegetation you can experience in Kruger National Park.

In Masai Mara, you get all the animals from Serengeti, but the park is of a more doable size, which means you’re in with a greater chance of finding the aforementioned cheetah, if it’s in the area.

One of the park’s highlights is the perilous crossing of the Mara River by zebras and wildebeests when the great migration takes place between July and October.

Kenya has the longest safari tradition of the three, which means they have the most experience in safari. So you get a high-class safari and a wide selection of lodges.

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller