The Masai Mara National Reserve and the Serengeti National Park are located next to each other, separated only by the border between Tanzania and Kenya. While hundreds of thousands of wildebeest migrate from one side of the border to the other every year, us humans can’t just cross the border like them!

Keep reading to find out how to travel between the Masai Mara and the Serengeti!

Traveling between Masai Mara and Serengeti via Land

Although the two destinations, the Masai Mara National Reserve and the Serengeti National Park are adjacent to each other and separated only by the border between Tanzania and Kenya, crossing from one side of the road to the other side isn’t as easy as it seems on the map.

However, that being said, traveling by land between Masai Mara and the Serengeti is possible through either Isebania, located to the west of Serengeti or through the border at Namanga, located to the east side.

The problem with the route through Isebania is that the road on both sides of the border is very bumpy and uncomfortable. Moreover, the total time taken to travel from Mara to Isebania and then to a camp in Serengeti could take over half a day. This doesn’t include the time that might be wasted at the border, which could constitute about an hour to a few hours, depending on the traffic at the border. An overnight stay will usually be required in this route.

The problem with the route through Namanga is that it’s pretty far away from both the areas as well, even though the ride through this route is a bit more comfortable.

Another problem with road travel includes the fact that you need to purchase a permit for vehicles when crossing the border. This can cost you a lot! If you’re not driving yourself, you can cross the border on foot and then request another travel agency to pick you up from the other side of the border.

All in all, the road trip isn’t worth all the hassle because at the end of the day, it wastes a lot of your time. It might even be more expensive than air travel, depending on how many people are accompanying you and among how many people the cost needs to be divided into.

Therefore, traveling via land isn’t really a good idea, but it is possible!

Traveling through Air

This is the best option if you want to travel between Masai Mara and Serengeti.

One of the ways you can travel through air is by flying to the Migori Airstrip on the Kenyan side of the border, near Isebnia, then crossing the border at Isebania. After that, a car will meet you on the other side of the border and take you to the Tarime airstrip, through which you can fly to the airstrips in Serengeti National Park. However, this service is available only during the peak tourist season! The exact flight time cannot be said for sure because it all depends on how long the queue at the border is.

Another option when traveling by air includes flying to Nairobi, then to Arusha and then to the Serengeti air strips.

Choose the option that suits you best! Most convenient is the option of flying to the Mirogir Airstrip on the Kenyan side, crossing the border and then flying from the Tarime airstrip to reach Serengeti. If you want to go to the Masai Mara from Serengeti, you can just do this in the reverse order!

So, what are you waiting for? Witness the Great Migration of Serengeti at both these places and explore other wildlife species!

While you’re there, you might also want to check out the Expert Guide on Selous Game Reserve Tanzania.