The Best Time to Visit Masai Mara National Reserve : Masai Mara national reserve is one of the most visited safari destinations in Kenya and among the best destinations for wildlife safaris on the African continent, the best time to go for a safari to Masai Mara national Reserve is between June and November when the temperatures are relatively steady with highs ranging from 79 F to lows around 56 F.
Masai Mara national reserve is a famous destination for game viewing drives and between June and November are the ideal period for safari drives as the Great Migration of Wildebeests, zebras, gazelles and elands happen.
This guide will assist you with planning your visit to Masai Mara National Reserve regardless of what time of the year you decide to explore this amazing destination.
Weather in Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve receives 2 rainy seasons with one being the short rains occurring from November to January and the long rains from March to May. The long dry season lasts from June to November with pleasantly warm temperatures.
The average daytime temperatures range from 75 F to 82 F from September through May, however overall throughout the year temperatures are moderately consistent due to Kenya’s locate to the Equator.
Attractions in Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara national reserve hosts abundance of wildlife and many visitors come to Masai Mara for the game and safari drives, however the park has more to offer. There are specialty safaris for tourists interested in other safari activities ranging from bird watching to witnessing migration of herds, visit a traditional Maasai Village where travelers can learn more about the Maasai people – a famed Kenyan tribe that lives within the reserve’s boundaries. Hot air balloon flight over the plains of Masai Mara is another adventure worth doing.
January
In Masai Mara dry and hot weather is experienced in January, due to the low amounts of rain, it is a great time for spotting wildlife throughout the park as they congregate at the watering holes.
January is also a calving season for many animals within the park such as the antelopes and zebras, the abundance of prey is the main reason why lions are easily spotted during this month.
What to do in January in Masai Mara
January is the start of Lion Season in Masai Mara national reserve, if you are looking to see lions. January is the month to visit.
February
In February, average temperatures are around 69F with highs reaching into the low 80s F. the reserve is typically still in the midst of a dry spell when it comes to rain showers with only light rain transpiring in certain instances. The average rainfall for the month is typically 1.5 inches.
What to do in February in Masai Mara
The lion season continues through February
March
Long rains season is received in Masai Mara national reserve in March, the rains are heavy with monthly rains averaging around 3 inches, it is the low season during this time so visitors can expect cheaper rate on hotels and excursions.
The weather is usually mild with an average high temperature of 74 F.
What to do in March in Masai Mara
As the rains start in the reserve, wildebeests and zebras are all over the place which attracts lions through the end of the lion season.
April
One of the rainiest months of the year in Masai Mara national reserve is April with average rainfall of around 4.5 inches, with heavier rainfalls persisting, the park is usually lush and green, full of vegetation during this time. The green season is a great time for budget conscious travelers to visit Masai Mara national reserve as the rates are lower most especially safari lodges and tents.
What to do in April in Masai Mara
In April, birds migrate occur at the tail end of the low season in the reserve.
May
The rainy season in Masai Mara continues through May with average rainfalls of just over 3 inches, this is a gorgeous time to visit Masai Mara national reserve as high temperatures average are around 74 F. The green season which continues through this month is an excellent time for photographers to capture shorts of baby antelopes being born in the bush?.
What to do in May in Masai Mara
Due to the green season during this month, bird watching tours are at their best in Maasai Mara national reserve.
What to do in the park: Bird-watching tours are popular during this month due to the rich green season.
June
June marks the beginning of the peak season for Masai Mara National Reserve, the temperatures are quite pleasant with an average high of around 76 F. Because this is the start of the peak season, accommodations will fill quickly, so we recommend booking as early as possible.
What to do in June in Masai Mara
Game viewing tours, hot air balloon flights, bird watching and Maasai visits are quite popular in June and the weather is perfection mostly for outdoor activities.
July
July is an extension of the peak season and offers fantastic weather and climate for visit Masai Mara national reserve with the high season continuing. Average highs are around 78 F during the day and slightly chilly in the evening with lows of 56F.
It is advised you bring a jacket for venturing out in the evenings, note that is overall quite pleasant and dry during this month.
What to do in July in Masai Mara
Game viewing and photography tours are popular in his month.
August
August is still peak season for visiting Masai Mara national reserve and this is a fantastic time to explore due to the pleasant temperatures, dry climate and the start of the wildebeest season.
Note: because of the huge populations of visitors, it is important you book your accommodations early.
What to do in August in Masai Mara
The wildebeest season begins with massive herds starting to cross the river from the northern Serengeti into the plains of Masai Mara.
September
September is a continuation of the dry season making it an attractive time for tourists to visit, it is also one of the most popular months to visit Masai Mara national reserve to experience the Great Migration. With drier conditions visitors have more opportunities for viewing wildlife at the watering holes.
What to do in September in Masai Mara
This is the best time to the wildebeest Migration crossing in Masai Mara reserve.
October
October is still the continuation of high season lasting through October, visitors can expect high levels of congestion in famed safari areas throughout the park, the weather is warm but not unbearable with average highs of 81F and not too much rain.
What to do in October in Masai Mara
Witnessing the great wildebeest migration and spotting abundance of wildlife including lions, leopards, and cheetahs among others.
November
This month receives a considerable amount of rain and it is part of the short rain season making the rains less invasive, rain showers typically occur in the late afternoon and bring about cloudy, overcast skies yet warm temperatures during the day and chilly mornings.
Temperatures average around 68 F, during the short rainy season visitors can expect an average rainfall of just over 3 inches in November.
What to do in November in Masai Mara
This is the start of the migration out of the Masai Mara national reserve back into the Serengeti national park.
December
This month is part of the short rains season for visiting Masai Mara national reserve, it is a low and green season which refers to the warm, rainy months where there is an abundance of new leaves and grass, thus making it more difficult to spot animals during safari drives.
What to do in December in Masai Mara
During the short rains period of December, photography Kenya safari tours and game viewing are popular during this lush green season.
