Is the Serengeti Worth it? Why You Shouldn’t Go to the Serengeti

The Serengeti National park in Tanzania is one of the most popular Safari destination in the world. So something I was wondering about is whether it’s worth going to especially for me that lives in Kenya and have visited many of the National parks here. So I did some research and here is what I found

The Serengeti is more than worth it as a tourist destination. It is hands down one of the best if not the very best Safari Destination in Africa. It’s home to all of the big five animals and is also famous for the great wildebeest migration. If you are coming to Kenya for Safari, then Serengeti may be too much of a hustle since you will need to cross the border. In this article, I will explain why you should consider going to the Serengeti but also give a few reasons why other parks may be more appropriate for you to visit.

What makes the Serengeti such a great safari destination

1. It’s really beautiful: From its vastness to the sheer number of animals, the Serengeti is unmistakably breathtaking.
2. Large variety of animals: The Serengeti is home to all the big 5 and has 500 species of birds and 300 species of mammals. Most of these animals are only found on this part of the world and this makes them a great treat for any foreign tourists.
3. Varied and Breathtaking landscapes: The Serengeti is composed of a number of different landscapes and this variation adds to the beauty of the breathtaking views that you will enjoy when you visit this Park
4. The Maasai People: This is a traditional tribe that resides in both Kenya and Tanzania.  The amazing thing about them is that they still live the same way they lived thousands of years ago and many tourists enjoy  viewing the Maasai people dance and perform ancient rituals

Animals you will find in the Serengeti

One of the things that determine whether a safari destination is worth visiting or not is a kind of animals you expect to see there.

The Serengeti has an almost complete list of all the animals that you would expect to see on an African safari. For starters, the Serengeti has 4 of the Big Five animals (Lion, African, leopard, African bush elephant, and the African buffalo) the only animal missing from this list it the rhino. In addition to that expect to find thousands of common safari animals like wildebeest and antelope grazing in the vast expanse of the park.

With this great variety of wildlife you expect to see at the Serengeti I’m sure you would agree with me that this is a park that is definitely worth going to.

Don’t go to the Serengeti If…

they are some conditions where visiting the Serengeti may not be worth it for you.  So for that reason, you should not come to the Serengeti if the following are true for you:

1. If you have visited the mara: if you’ve already visited the Maasai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya, Serengeti may not be with it for you.  This is because the Maasai Mara and Serengeti share a similar ecosystem and you are likely to see the same animals and have a similar experience in both parks. Even with this considered, there are some who still decide to visit both parks and this decision comes with its own logistical challenges.
2. If wildlife does not fascinate you: If you’re one of the very few people in the world who is not fascinated by wild animals then the Serengeti and any of the other parks in any African safari destinations may not be worth it for you. However, considering the fact that you’re reading an article about safaris I don’t think that’s you. 🙂
3. If you are crossing over from Kenya just for the Serengeti:  this point is a bit similar to the Maasai Mara one but I think it’s important that I mention it.  You may have already visited a number of Kenyan national parks and may be interested in going to the Serengeti instead of the Maasai Mara.  This may not be the best idea and here are my reasons:
   1. Firstly crossing over from Kenya to Tanzania requires additional immigration checks for foreigners and this may be a hassle just to see one Park.
   2. You may be required to present a yellow fever immunization card at the border point.
   3. Many of the animals that you’ve already have seen in Kenyan parks are pretty similar to the ones you will find at the Serengeti. The journey may not be worth it if you have already had a similar experience in Kenya.
4. If you are not prepared for insect bites: Like most of the other safari destinations you will visit, the Serengeti has lots of bugs and especially in the wetter seasons,  battling with mosquitoes will be a daily routine. In addition to this, the Serengeti is known for having tsetse flies whose bites are sharper than those of a mosquito and sometimes carry sleeping sickness.  If you absolutely can’t stand being around by tiny bugs, don’t come to the Serengeti.
5. If seeing rhinos is on your bucket list for the safari: As I mentioned earlier Rhinos are not very common in the Serengeti. The park only has black Rhinos which are also very difficult to spot.  For this reason, if Rhinos are part of your bucket list in doing an African safari than the Serengeti is not for you. You could consider visiting the Lake Nakuru national park or Nairobi National Park in Kenya if you absolutely must see the Rhinos on your safari.

Alternatives to the Serengeti National park

If you’re not very sure about whether the Serengeti is worth going to here are a few alternative safari parks you might want to consider:

1. Masai Mara National Reserve: This park is located in the same ecosystem as the Serengeti and will offer a similar experience but with the only difference being that it’s located in Kenya and not Tanzania.
2. Lake Nakuru National Park: In a different post in this website you will find that I recommend that you shouldn’t visit the lake Nakuru national park and there are reasons for that which you can check out here.  however, I would recommend it as an alternative to the Serengeti if seeing rhinos and flamingos is a high priority for you.  This park has both the white and black rhino which are very rare in many of the other parks in the region.
3. Amboseli National Park: Amboseli National Park located on the Western border of Kenya and Tanzania is lovely Park that has lots of elephants and most of the other wild animals you expect on any safari. It is the second most popular national park in Kenya (after the Masai Mara) and sits at the foothills of the mighty Kilimanjaro.  Many of The Tourists visiting this Park go there with hopes of catching a glimpse of the tallest mountain in Africa but I would encourage you not to stake your life on this since the mountain is usually covered by thick clouds almost year round.

Is Serengeti Worth it if I have been to the Masai Mara

The Serengeti and Maasai Mara (In Kenya) are both amazing parks. They share the same ecosystem and have a large number is similarities. However, visiting both the Serengeti and the Mara may be worth it for you depending on the time of year you are coming for Safari.

The Masai Mara generally has a larger number animals all year round. This is  because the rain patterns are more consistent and the rate of animal migration is not as high as the Serengeti.

This means that if you visit the Serengeti in the dryer months of July to September and  December and February, you will get to see greater levels of diversity and animal populations  if you visit both parks.

Verdict: So is the Serengeti worth visiting?

I would give a definite yes to this question.  the Serengeti is absolutely worth visiting especially if you are taking the rest of your safari in Tanzania. The journey may not be worth it if you are traveling from Kenya but you may have to determine that for yourself.  Whatever you decide one thing you know for sure is that you are going to enjoy some of the most breathtaking scenery that you will ever see in your life. So welcome to East Africa!

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