The beauty of the Masai Mara is that it is renowned as a year-round destination! The Mara and the Talek River provide a permanent water supply, securing an abundance of resident wildlife, including herds of elephants, prides of lions, dazzles of zebra and many more. The plains of the Mara sit on an altitude of around 2000m, making it generally milder (and damper) than similar regions, but temperatures average at a comfortable 26°C throughout the year and the African sun never lets you down!
January to March are often the hottest and driest months, offering unique game viewing experiences especially as there are many newborn animals on the plains. Some of the lodges offer special offers and low-season rates so this can be a great time to travel and grab a great deal!
Masai Mara : A Proper Savannah
The wettest months are April and May, as the long rains and the southeast monsoon winds arrive. We generally recommend avoiding safaris during this period, especially as the roads can get very muddy and nearly impassable at times. A number of camps often close their doors during this window, taking advantage of low tourist numbers to work on the renovation of the camp and let the grass it sits on rejuvenate. However, there is no denying this season can create some dramatic landscapes and the birdlife and flora are particularly good.
July to October is considered by most to be the best time of year to visit the Masai Mara. This is the most exciting time of the year to visit as the herds of the Great Migration arrive in July and graze the plains of the Mara until October time. With wildebeest and zebra in their thousands, and other species of animals that often tag along, speckled across the reserve, predators such as the cats are readily awaiting their next meal. On the other hand, one of the downsides to this season is the high visitor numbers. The Masai Mara is one of Africa’s most concentrated parks in terms of game and size, so vehicles shamelessly often crowd around the game. However… the beauty of the Masai Mara is that it has opened up to private conservancies, known as the Greater Mara Conservancies, so guests and vehicles are not necessarily limited to the regulated areas of the Mara Reserve. Many of the conservancies, especially the Mara North, have high game concentrations and a huge variety of luxury and unique camps and lodges to choose from. So for those looking for a quieter and more intimate experience, the conservancies are the way forward!
November to December are hidden gems in the Masai Mara. The short rains, brought in from the north, arrive in November, which often entails short-lived downpours in the late afternoon. These showers have lots of benefits though, as they wash away the dust in the air, cool down the animals, fill up the rivers and trigger the growth of lush vegetation. The short rains also attract hundreds of migratory birds, perfect for photographers and bird lovers.
