The quintessential African safari destination: 1,510 square kilometres of rolling grassland home to all the Big Five as well as cheetahs, hyenas and millions of grazing herbivores
Witness the greatest wildlife show on earth, the annual migration from Tanzania’s Serengeti to Kenya’s Masai Mara of well over a million hungry wildebeest and zebra
Glide above the herds and over the vast plains in a hot-air balloon before landing for a champagne breakfast in the wild
Stay in a private conservancy for a more exclusive experience and in doing so help support both conservation efforts and community-based projects
Enjoy exceptional birdwatching, with over 470 recorded species in the Mara
Overview
Famed for its exceptional game viewing, this spectacular reserve embodies many people’s vision of an African safari. Many come to witness the world’s greatest animal migration, when hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra move north from the Serengeti to the wide-open plains of the Mara in search of food and water, risking fatal encounters with enormous Nile crocodiles and large pods of hippos as they cross the Mara’s rivers. The herds typically arive in July or August, but in all honesty the Mara’s gently rolling grasslands, speckled with acacia trees and low rocky outcrops, provide exceptional game viewing at any time of year, including reliable sightings of all the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino).The Masai Mara’s fame means it can get very busy, so a popular option is to stay in one of the private conservancies that border the official Masai Mara National Reserve, such as Mara North, Naboisho or Olare Motorogi. Each conservancy operates in a slightly different manner but the general idea is to make tourism, conservation and the rights of local people work hand in hand. Most involve the local Maasai landowners leasing the land to a number of high-end lodges, while still being allowed to graze their own cattle. The Maasai receive an income from the camps, which often also provide employment and contribute towards community-development projects. In return, the wildlife can live in peace and guests at the lodges receive a far more exclusive safari experience, enjoying fewer crowds, access to remote areas and the chance to enjoy activities not allowed in the reserve itself, such as walking safaris, night drives and luxurious bush breakfasts.
When to visit
Best
Good
Varied
January
27ºC
Maximum Tempurature
10ºC
Minimum Tempurature
55mm
Average Rainfall
January is the height of the summer period and falls into the short dry season. It's an excellent time to visit pretty much all of Kenya’s parks and reserves, with warm temperatures and short grasses making for excellent game viewing, and opportunities to spot newborn animals and hungry predators circling with intent. Birdwatching is spectacular with many migratory species present. Although days are hot, evenings and early mornings can be cool in the Mara and layers are recommended.
February
27ºC
Maximum Tempurature
10ºC
Minimum Tempurature
42mm
Average Rainfall
February is well into the short dry season with hot, dry and clear days with just the odd shower. Temperatures are also largely determined by altitude. Overall, February is an excellent time to visit pretty much all of Kenya’s parks and reserves, with warm temperatures and short grasses making for excellent game viewing, and opportunities to spot newborn animals and hungry predators circling with intent. Birdwatching is spectacular with many migratory species present. Although days are hot, evenings and early mornings can be cool in the Mara and layers are recommended.
March
28ºC
Maximum Tempurature
11ºC
Minimum Tempurature
95mm
Average Rainfall
For most of March, days are warm and dry, however Kenya is approaching the 'long rains' so more rainfall should be expected. Temperatures are also largely determined by altitude. March is an excellent time to visit pretty much all of Kenya’s parks and reserves, with warm temperatures and short grasses making for excellent game viewing, plus opportunities to spot newborn and infant animals. Birdwatching is spectacular with many migratory species present. Although days are hot, evenings and early mornings can be cool in the Masai Mara, so layers are recommended.
April
ºC
Maximum Tempurature
ºC
Minimum Tempurature
mm
Average Rainfall
April heralds the start of the green season and the beginning of the 'long rains', which bring an explosion of greenery and a drop in temperatures. Days are still warm but evenings are cool, so layers are recommended. The increased rainfall results in more water sources, which combined with thicker vegetation makes wildlife viewing more challenging. However, with careful planning this is still an excellent time to visit: the landscape is lush and bright and there is hardly anyone else around. It's an especially good time for photographers to visit thanks to the vivid colours, dramatic skies and excellent air clarity. Some lodges and camps close during the long rains, and there are more mosquitoes about.
May
27ºC
Maximum Tempurature
11ºC
Minimum Tempurature
120mm
Average Rainfall
May is characterised by the long rains, when vegetation is thick and tracks into the park become very muddy. Days are warm and wet, with cool evenings necessitating layers. The increased rainfall results in more water sources, which combined with thicker vegetation makes wildlife viewing more challenging. However, with careful planning this is still an excellent time to visit: the landscape is lush and bright and there is hardly anyone else around. It's an especially good time for photographers to visit thanks to the vivid colours, dramatic skies and excellent air clarity. Some lodges and camps close during the long rains, and there are more mosquitoes about.
June
26ºC
Maximum Tempurature
10ºC
Minimum Tempurature
20mm
Average Rainfall
Dry weather for the most part returns to Kenya in June, though there may still be some light showers. Days are clear and sunny with low humidity and evenings can be cool, with layers recommended. The grasses and vegetation are still verdant after the rains making some wildlife viewing a bit more difficult, but as water sources start to dissipate, animals start to congregate around rivers and permanent waterholes, making them easier to spot.
July
26ºC
Maximum Tempurature
10ºC
Minimum Tempurature
20mm
Average Rainfall
Winter continues through July with warm, dry days and very little rain. Nights and early mornings can be very chilly, especially in the Mara, which sits at a higher altitude. Add in the wind chill from an open safari vehicle and it's well worth bringing layers on both morning and evening game drives. The good news is that shrinking water sources and thinning vegetation make wildlife viewing easier. Plus July sees the first herds of the Great Migration arrive in the Mara from Tanzania, followed by a host of predators in pursuit. This is also the time to witness the migration's famous river crossings, with enormous Nile crocodiles lying in wait for the wildebeest and zebra.
August
27ºC
Maximum Tempurature
10ºC
Minimum Tempurature
25mm
Average Rainfall
August is the last month of winter in Kenya. Days are pleasantly warm with very little rain, though nights and early mornings can be very chilly, especially in the Mara due to its higher altitudes. Add in the wind chill from an open safari vehicle and it's well worth bringing layers on both morning and evening game drives. By August, most of the Great Migration herds have settled into grazing on the plains of the Masai Mara. It's a wonderful time to watch predators in action, though you still may catch the odd river crossing too.
September
28ºC
Maximum Tempurature
10ºC
Minimum Tempurature
30mm
Average Rainfall
Temperatures start to increase as Kenya moves out of its winter. Days are warm and clear with little chance of rain, though nights and early mornings can still be quite chilly, especially in the Mara due to its higher altitudes. Add in the wind chill from an open safari vehicle and it's well worth bringing layers on both morning and evening game drives. The Great Migration herds remain massed on the plains, with hungry predators keeping watch for easy targets.
October
28ºC
Maximum Tempurature
11ºC
Minimum Tempurature
35mm
Average Rainfall
October is the last month in the dry season before the short rains start in November. Temperatures are on the rise, days are warm and clear with little chance of rain, though nights and early mornings can still be quite chilly, especially in the Mara due to its higher altitudes. Add in the wind chill from an open safari vehicle and it's worth bringing layers on both morning and evening game drives. The migrating herds start to head south around now, once again braving the crocodile-infested Mara and Talek Rivers. Excellent resident populations of wildlife remain, though, and the drier conditions and limited water sources make for excellent game viewing.
November
28ºC
Maximum Tempurature
11ºC
Minimum Tempurature
105mm
Average Rainfall
November sees the start of the short rains, bringing with it a return to green and lush landscapes. Wildlife viewing becomes a bit more challenging with the thickening of vegetation and more surface water, but there are lots of newborn animals about to compensate for that. The birdlife is brilliant with many migrant species present. The majority of the migrating herds have headed back across the border to Tanzania, but the Mara's resident wildlife ensure there's still plenty to get excited about. Days are hot with cooler evenings and mornings.
December
ºC
Maximum Tempurature
ºC
Minimum Tempurature
mm
Average Rainfall
By December the short rains have ended for the most part and the country tends to be sunny and dry, with lush landscapes following the short rains in November. Early mornings are still chilly, days are hot and humid and evenings are warm. Wildlife viewing is a bit challenging due to the thicker vegetation, but the birdlife is brilliant with many migrant species present.