Serengeti National Park vs Kruger National Park. Looking to take on an Africa safari tour and are divided between choosing Serengeti national park or Kruger National Park? Hopefully this article shall help guide you on choosing your ultimate Africa safari destination depending on your safari preferences.
Both the Serengeti National Park and Kruger National Park are amazing Africa safari destinations that travelers can enjoy while out on a safari on either of them. Both the Serengeti National Park and Kruger National Park are amazing safari destinations that any ardent Africa safari traveler should visit at the very least, once in a lifetime; you are sure to be rewarded with some of the most unforgettable Africa safari experiences.
Serengeti National Park Vs Kruger national Park / Serengeti National Park or Kruger National park for safari? This is a hot debate amongst travelers who are looking to experience an Africa safari but not decided on where to go, as well as travelers who have visited both safari parks and are comparing on which provided the better experience. The question of Serengeti national Park or Kruger National Park is really left to personal preferences, because both the Serengeti and Kruger Parks are iconic Africa safari parks that are a much sought after destinations.
Serengeti National Park is located in the northern region of Tanzania making part of the northern safari circuit and along the Mara region that it starches to meet the Maasai Mara National Reserve, while Kruger National Park also found in the northern part of South Africa stretching across the provinces of Mpumalanga and Limpopo. To help you weigh, or perhaps choose Serengeti National Park vs Kruger National Park, below are some factors or highlights worth pondering on;
Big 5 Sightings
Both the Serengeti National Park and Kruger National Park inhabit all the big 5 animals most sought after by travelers on safari. The big 5 animals include lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos and rhinos. Serengeti National Park Tanzania is mainly open savanna grassland or open terrain and thus best for wildlife viewing of especially lions, while Kruger National Park South Africa is denser and thus best for elephant viewing. Kruger National Park hosts a considerable number of black rhinos which are endangered, but so does the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater which is en-route to the Serengeti National Park. The Seronera River area is a great place to see various wildlife including the leopards as they prey on the grazers, but so is the Sabi River.
Wildlife Varieties
Both the Serengeti National Park and Kruger National Park deliver in this regard; there is a wide variety of wildlife species to spot while on either a safari in Serengeti National Park or Kruger National Park. Zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, elands, wild dogs and so much more can be found either Serengeti National Park or Kruger National Park. The southern Serengeti area is known to inhabit cheetahs and can thus be found here almost so easily. Kruger National Park is best to visit for especially the greater kudu, sable, nyala and bushbuck; a considerable population of wild dogs; wild dogs in Serengeti National Park can be spotted every other time.
Great Migration
If witnessing the great migration is what you are after experiencing while on your Africa safari then the Serengeti National Park Tanzania is your best choice. Serengeti National Park is famous for among others the great wildebeest migration which sees over 2 million wildebeests and other grazers including zebras and gazelles transiting the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Serengeti National Park or Kruger National Park for the great wildebeest migration, the Serengeti Park it is!
Wildlife Profusion
By far, the Serengeti National Park is known for her diversity and density of wildlife that one can see wildlife at almost every turn while on a Serengeti National Park safari anytime of the year; the Kruger National Park on the other hand though vast in size can see one driving through the park for up to 30 minutes and see very little or nothing; if a guinea fowl counts!
Birdlife Species
Both the Serengeti National Park and Kruger National Park have over 500 bird species recorded, and thus both are spectacular birding destinations. The Kruger national Park is especially beautiful in the summer period with sightings of colourful kingfishers, rollers, bee-eaters and so much more including raptors and various water birds. The remote northern and western parts of the Serengeti National Park are great for bird watching all throughout the year.
Landscapes and Scenic Views
The Serengeti National Park offers some really breath-taking landscape and scenic views of say the Ngorongoro Crater floor, the grassy “endless plains” that are dotted with acacia trees and kopjes. Sunrise and sunset viewing here is quite spectacular! Kruger National Park on the other hand is composed of tangled shrub and in the winter period which is the best time for game viewing in Kruger National Park; the park also has breath-taking views of the Lebombo Mountains which give a beautiful backdrop to the eastern Kruger National Park area.
Congestion
Both the Serengeti National Park and Kruger National Park attract high numbers of travelers every single time, thus crowds and congestion should be expected. Escaping the crowds in both the Serengeti and Kruger Parks is however possible; escaping crowds in the Serengeti National Park is more costly as travelers have move further away and staying in some of the most remote yet luxurious safari bush camps, while in Kruger National Park one has to stick to dirt roads to the Olifants River to get way from the crowds especially around the Sabi River given its close proximity to the city of Johannesburg.
Safari Pricing
A safari to East Africa and Tanzania in particular tends to be less budget-friendly than say South Africa. To a large extent the safari pricing could be dependent on the above mentioned factors, but also park entrance fees do differ greatly; the Serengeti National Park entrance fees alone is about 83$ per person per 24 hours, on top of which you ought to include concession fees which is at currently 71$ per person per night which is not the case with Kruger National Park. accommodation in the Serengeti National Park is also quite more pricy with one being able to pay say 300$ per person in a shared room, while the Kruger National Park has more affordable camps and lodges for stays.
Self-Driving
No matter the vastness of the Kruger National Park, independent self-driving is best for here as a 4×4 is not necessarily needed as is the case while on a safari in Serengeti National Park. Kruger National Park also has signposted roads and the camps are well equipped for this with well-stocked grocery stores and affordable restaurants. Self-driving in Serengeti National Park is a whole different experience with travelers expected to have 4WDs as well as do own and beverage provision; there is also little or no signage in the park on how best to get around; guided safaris therefore are most recommended or at the very least have ranger guide with you while on a self-drive in Serengeti National Park.
The above aspects should be sufficient to guide you on your debate of Serengeti National Park vs Kruger National Park. The Kruger National Park is suitable for budget travellers staying in a select camps, but so is the Serengeti, but yet the Serengeti National Park offers more luxurious safaris, camps and activities that are beyond the norm. The choice of Serengeti National Park or Kruger National Park is thus left to a personal preference and availability.
Get in touch with us for your ultimate Serengeti National Park safari and beyond in East Africa, it will be an unforgettable experience of a lifetime!
