The Best Time to Visit Masai Mara
Imagine sitting around a campfire, with your sundowner drink in hand, as the sun is about to set on the horizon and with open savannah as far as the eye can see. In the far distance you hear the gentle, almost soothing call of lions as they slowly wake up from their siesta and start regrouping for the night that the nocturnal cats truly own.
Just then a herd of elephants walks across the face of the setting sun. For many people this is as close as they can get to being in heaven.
Situated in the beautiful country of Kenya, in Africa, Masai Mara is a national wildlife reserve and wilderness area. With its rolling hills, vast grasslands, and overwhelming views, it almost feels like a dream to be here and experience Masai Mara’s safaris.
Whether you are a wildlife enthusiast, a photographer, or simply someone looking to spend quality time with family while connecting with nature, Masai Mara offers you an unforgettable adventure and a memorable experience.
Before you start planning your trip, let’s explore the best time to visit Masai Mara.
Which is the Best Time to Visit Masai Mara for You?
Kenya straddles the equator, and Masai Mara is at an elevation of over 5,000 ft, or 1,500 metres, so the weather is never unbearably hot. On the contrary, it can get quite cold on the morning drives, especially if you are in an open-game viewer vehicle.
The wildlife is visible year-round, but it is best to avoid coming on a Masai Mara safari in April and May during the main rainy season, as that might disrupt your game drives. With that caveat, Masai Mara is a year-round destination that changes hue but is always attractive.
The following is a month-wise breakdown of the best time to visit Masai Mara, answering all your questions about when to visit Masai Mara.
January-Early April
You can expect low rates and the lowest tourist traffic. This is when you have the Loita Migration, and it is the wildebeest calving season, and this results in increased predator activity. It is the southern summer, though, and you can expect highs of up to 35° on a few days. In many ways this is a sweet spot for a Masai Mara safari.
Mid-April to End-May
Lowest rates and tourist traffic of the year, because of the long rains, which is the main rainy season. At this time you could expect significant disruptions to your game drives, which is why we do not recommend a Masai Mara safari at this time. However, the rains could withdraw in the last week of May while the rates are still at their very lowest. So that is something to consider too.
June
The rates are still lower than in the high season, and the tourist traffic has started to pick up. The weather in Masai Mara is expected to be cool, and the air dust-free, since the Long Rains have just ended. So, many people choose this time of the year to come on safari to Masai Mara, especially if they live in the parts of the world where June is uncomfortably hot.
July to September
This is the high season, both because it is the summer holidays in many parts of the world and the crossings of the Mara River, associated with the annual wildebeest and zebra migration. While this, ‘migration,’ is undoubtedly an iconic wildlife spectacle, many people can be put off from a Masai Mara safari by the very high tourist density and the peak season prices.
October
The rates drop to the levels of June, and the tourist traffic in Masai Mara is lower than in the previous three months.
November to mid-December
The rates are now down to the levels of January-March, and the tourist traffic too is low. There is the secondary rainy season from mid-November to about the first week of December, but these are known as the short rains that are much less likely to disrupt wildlife viewing while on safari in Masai Mara. The beginning and end of this window offer a period when you can expect dry weather, when the rates are low.
Mid-December to Year End
The weather is expected to be dry and warm as we head into the southern summer. However, the rates and tourist traffic are at their peak levels as many people seek to wind down the year with a Masai Mara safari that has been on their bucket list for a long time.
Book your safari now with The Bucket List Travel Co. and get the best wildlife experience with your family.
