Maasai Mara Vs Kruger National Park : Safari enthusiasts from all over the world go to South Africa’s Kruger National Park and Kenya’s Maasai Mara, and for good reason. Both of them provide an incredible variety of safari activities, abundant wildlife, and gorgeous choice of accommodation. First, pragmatic but crucial! Whether you arrive at your safari location rested and ready to go or in need of a vacation before you even start depends on how simple it is to get there! Fortunately, Kruger and the Maasai Mara both do well in this regard.
International flights.
There are direct international flights from London to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Nairobi, Kenya, which is good news for travelers from the UK. Furthermore, there will be jetlag to deal with because Kenya is two hours ahead of South Africa by just one hour.
Getting to the parks.
Scheduled flights make it easy to reach both parks, and taking a small plane to your desired location may be an exciting safari experience as you get to see the changing scenery below and maybe even glimpse some wildlife as you arrive.
Maasai Mara.
Flying to and from the Maasai Mara is extremely simple with most flights departing from Wilson Airport in Nairobi which is about a half an hour’s drive from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi’s main international hub. The Maasai Mara has various airstrips, so where you fly to varies depend on where you are staying. Nevertheless, with several flights daily, it is simple to get there.
It is also feasible to drive to the Maasai Mara, albeit this is a less common choice given how convenient flying is. Depending on where you are going in the Mara, the trip usually takes five to seven hours. A new tar road that is being constructed from Nairobi to the Mara will make this even easier.
Kruger National Park.
Many of South Africa’s largest towns may be reached by air when visiting the Kruger National Park. Most visitors arrive from Johannesburg, but Cape Town is also an option if you want to combine a safari with a visit to the Winelands and Garden Route. The majority of flights from Johannesburg arrive at Hoedspruit, a charming town outside of Kruger; nevertheless, there are a number of airstrips situated inside the private concessions of Kruger, namely in the conservancies of Sabi Sand. Depending on which gate you enter, the road trip from Johannesburg to Kruger takes five to seven hours if you want to travel by vehicle. It’s important to note that the traffic conditions in South Africa and Kenya may not always be as easy as they are in your native country.
Wildlife.
First, let’s talk about the main attraction safari for tourists: the wildlife! Here, the Maasai Mara and Kruger National Park are both must-see destinations; you won’t be let down whatever you choose. Great Kruger National Park covers more than 19,600 km2, so there is a significant difference! The Maasai Mara National Park, including all of its conservancies, is approximately 1,500 km2.
Maasai Mara – wildebeest migration & big cats galore.
The fauna in each of these amazing national parks is exceptional on its own. Because of its significance to the Great Wildebeest Migration during the season of river crossings, the Maasai Mara is widely recognized. Every year, millions of wildebeest, zebras, and other plains animals migrate through this region of Kenya between July and October in search of new pastures.
There is a strong chance of sighting lions, cheetahs, and leopards in the Maasai Mara-Serengeti habitat because it is home to some of the densest populations of big cats on the African continent. The Maasai Mara is home to the Big Five, though finding them may prove more difficult given the small population of rhinos there.
Kruger – the Big Five.
The Big Five are what you’re looking for, and Kruger National Park won’t let you down. Elephants are everywhere, and sightings of buffalo, lions, leopards, and the critically endangered black and white rhinoceros are also common. Additionally, the vastness of the Kruger National Park results in a great diversity of biomes, including wide savannahs, Rocky Mountains, and deep riverine areas. This diversity of biomes leads to an amazing richness of different kinds of birds and mammals. Which is preferable ultimately depends on the kind of animals you want to view.
An authentic cultural tour experience is another reason to go on a safari, and Maasai Mara is unbeatable for this one.
Maasai Mara.
The Maasai people, who have inhabited Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara for many years, are the source of the term Maasai Mara.
The Maasai are semi-nomadic pastoralists who still herd cattle and goats, but many of them have adapted to contemporary life. They will frequently serve as your hosts or safari guides. They are easily recognized thanks to their vivid red robes, and the warriors who can move quickly are especially amazing.
It is essential to spend time with the Maasai and learn about their long-standing customs, how they have managed to preserve many aspects of their culture while blending into modern “society,” and how they get along with the local fauna. Naturally, you might also be welcomed into a “manyatta,” a traditional Maasai home, and witness some amazing dance, singing, and indigenous arts.
Kruger National Park.
Even if the Kruger may not be able to brag about its tribal culture as much as the Maasai Mara, it is nevertheless incredibly significant historically. Did you know that there are over 300 Stone Age sites, several San Rock Art specimens strewn across the park, and archaeological artefacts dating back approximately 100,000 years that are absolutely worth exploring?
Private Conservancies vs. National Park.
Although there is less of a difference between Kruger and Maasai Mara, it is crucial to remember that both the Greater Kruger and Maasai Mara National Parks have areas that are accessible to the general public with an entrance fee in addition to several private concessions or conservancies.
We frequently advise staying in a private conservancy over a national park for a number of reasons, even if staying in one of these concessions may be more expensive. This is particularly true for the tarmac-paved roads of the Kruger National Park.
Why choose a private conservancy?
Exclusiveness. The wildlife habitats within these private concessions are only accessible to members of the conservancy who pay to stay in particular camps or lodges. Typically, the conservancies are unfenced, allowing wildlife to come and go as it pleases, but there are also fewer other visitors.
Limited vehicles on wildlife sightings. Depending on the conservancy rules, the number of vehicles allowed during wildlife observations is limited to three to five, unlike in the National Park regions. This results in less interference with the wildlife’s natural behavior and more fulfilling, up-close experiences with them.
Off-road driving. This is a big deal if you want to have a true safari experience! The tarmac roads of Kruger National Park make it possible to drive around in a sports car or minivan with ease. In some ways, the park feels similar to a “safari park” in the United Kingdom. These are still well-maintained highways with lots of traffic, even if the Maasai Mara National Reserve has more genuine dirt roads. Conservancies, on the other hand, offer the chance to stray from the course and have considerably smaller tracks with fewer cars. Off-roading is strictly forbidden in National Parks, however it is allowed in conservancies to some extent in order to get closer to the wildlife. The guides are trained in responsible conduct, and this is carried out appropriately.
Night drives. While you can reserve these at several rest camps within Kruger National Park, night drives are typically exclusive to those staying in conservancies if you are camping within the park’s boundaries. Night drives start as the sun sets and you, accompanied by your guide, venture into the African wilderness at night, searching for nocturnal animals as they start their nightly migrations with the help of spotlights. It’s a fairly amazing safari experience to stumble upon a pride of lions when they emerge from their dens and walk into the night to monitor their area and hunt.
Bush walks. These are not permitted in the Maasai Mara National Park, and in the Kruger National Park, reservations must be made in advance at particular camps. However, if you stay in a conservancy, going on a bush walk is a much more accessible activity, as your guide leads you on foot through the bush, pointing out various interesting sights that may not be visible during a game drive. View our selection of the best walking safaris.
Sundowners and bush meals. These are typically only available to those staying in private concessions, but they are a true delight for visitors. If you choose to watch the sun set over the African plains, your guide will arrange a table with a variety of snacks and beverages so you may enjoy them while you take in the breathtaking scenery. Bush dinners are wonderful, casual events in which you are transported to a remote location in the bush and find a fully-fledged, award-winning culinary experience waiting for you. As you unwind and take in the sights and sounds of the surrounding environment, a variety of delicacies cooked over an open flame will be brought to you.
