After the 9 days of safari in Kenya and Tanzania, there were many things I found out by surprise that I wished the tour company had told us or read on the internet so I want to share with you:

Safari animal-seeing-wise, I think Maasai Mara is better than Serengeti for the following reasons:

1. Off-road is allowed at most of Maasai Mara so the safari trucks spread more apart.
2. Also because of off-road is allowed, we get to be super close to the animals for better viewings.
3. Maasai Mara is smaller than Serengeti so the animals were more concentrated, we saw more larger groups of animals than at Serengeti.
4. Maasai Mara is a more open savannah, I prefer this landscape to hilly/bushy.
5. If you have time to safari in both Kenya and Tanzania, I recommend doing the loop clockwise Amboseli –> Ngorongoro –> Serengeti –> Maasai Mara.

Must pack and tips:

1. Bring $100 USD bill for the Tanzania visa fee, they do not accept credit cards.
2. Bring extra USD cash in addition to the driver/guide’s tips, take into account that you’ll be switching driver/guide whenever you cross the border!
3. Pack masks, it was dusty in Kenya and a lot more dusty in Serengeti due to higher traffic on the road which is also used by commercial trucks.
4. Don’t pack white-colored clothes because of the dust.
5. For those with long hair, bring a hat to protect it from dust. Most of the lodges do not have hairdryers!
6. Pack a jacket, it was cold before sunrise and after sunset.
7. Bring sunscreen, the sun was strong mid-day.