THREE WAYS TO PLAN AND BOOK YOUR SAFARI WITH AFRICANMECCA

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WHEN TO GO TO MASAI MARA

Best Time & Weather To Travel To Masai Mara? Scroll Down For Details..

BEST TIME TO VISIT MASAI MARA FOR A SOUTH-WESTERN KENYA SAFARI

2024 And Upcoming 2025 Tracker Updates (2023 Ended) On The Great Wildebeest Migration Herd In Masai Mara

Masai Mara National Reserve is an extraordinary wilderness travel destination in south-western Kenya that offers an ideal climate and exceptional year-round game viewing. The average daytime temperatures remain quite comfortable while the nights are much cooler. The average daytime temperature is around 77 F (25 C) from June to August while the nighttime lows are around 50 F (10 C). The average daytime temperatures range from 79 F (26 C) to 82 F (28 C) in September through May, and the temperatures drop at night to lows of 55 F (13 C).

The Mara offers ample daylight of around 12 hours for all of your outdoor African safari vacation activities. While these conditions make for a magnificent game viewing any time of year, AfricanMecca advises its visitants of weather patterns that may influence their chosen time to visit the reserve.

Like other locations in Kenya, Masai Mara Reserve experiences two dry seasons and two rainy seasons. The presence or absence of rainfall affects vegetation and water sources thus affecting the movement and concentration of animals. When these resources are scarce, wildlife traverse from the deep interiors to more open areas in search of food and also converge to permanent or last-remaining water sources especially the Mara and Talek Rivers.



Safari game viewing in the Mara is optimal at this time as there is the greater wildlife visibility with less tracking time needed. Additionally, road and trail conditions are adverse to wet weather with the black cotton soil being a welcoming host to vehicles during the rains. The long cool-dry season from July to October is considered by most to be the best time of year to visit Masai Mara but also costliest season too. The absence of rain means that the flora is less dense, so animals are easier to observe. Additionally, insect levels, including mosquitoes, are lower during the dry season.

The long dry season also corresponds to the Great Migration that arrives in Masai Mara from the Serengeti National Park (read more on the Tanzania side of the migration). Approximately 1.5 million wildebeests and hundreds of thousands of zebras, elands and gazelles cross the crocodile infested Mara River in the reserve in search of food and water. Although their arrival varies from year-to-year, in general, the herds arrive in late July through August and also parts of September.



Road conditions are excellent for game viewing allowing you to see varied terrestrial fauna including massive gnu herds up-close and personal. With a high number of prey animals speckled across the reserve, predators are actively seeking out their next meal with the easiest catch being riverside once the wildebeests have crossed over. One of their most sought-after preys for feline cubs testing their hunting skills may be a newborn gazelle or impala or another young mammal.

The long dry season in the Mara does have some shortcomings. International tourist arrivals levels including AfricanMecca guests are highest during this time of year, so you may see more safari vehicles and signs of human presence than other times of the year but the Masai Mara has opened up to private conservancies, so guests and vehicles are limited in these regulated, low ratio areas thus the effect is lessened but not diminished. November and December mark the short rainy season.

Visitor levels generally fall somewhat during these months, with the exception of Christmas, New Year’s and early parts of January. The rains bring new life to the plains in both food sources and water, so many animals return slightly more inland into the bush and forest wilderness. Road conditions remain fair as the moisture evaporates quickly in equatorial Kenya.

Select Our Highly Recommended & Unique Designed Masai Mara Safaris By Camps & Lodges That You Want To Tour Visit & Experience

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WHERE TO STAY IN MASAI MARA
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WHERE TO STAY IN MASAI MARA

The Mara accommodations we recommend are located in five zones: northern, eastern, southern, western and central. Staying at both the conservancy and main reserve offer a discerning experience.

MIGRATION IN MASAI MARA
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MIGRATION IN MASAI MARA

Masai Mara is the most noted location of the Great Wildebeest Migration due to its famed Mara River crossings. As such, our travelers place great importance on having front row seats to the event.

SAFARI & TOUR IN MASAI MARA
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SAFARI & TOUR IN MASAI MARA

Game drive experienced in varied outbacks from riverine woodlands to the great plains is the most widespread tour activity. Other activities are bush walks, village visits, ballooning trip and more.

GUIDE ON MASAI MARA
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GUIDE ON MASAI MARA

Offering superb plains scenery, unmatched safari activities and diverse wildlife, Masai Mara Reserve is considered Kenya's best park and one of Africa's highest wildlife density region for predators.

BALLOON SAFARI IN MASAI MARA
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BALLOON SAFARI IN MASAI MARA

A balloon safari over the Mara is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. As you ascend, beautiful features unfold before your eyes: rolling hills, meandering rivers, lush plains, all teeming with wildlife.

MASAI MARA CONSERVANCIES
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MASAI MARA CONSERVANCIES

The Masai Mara conservancies offer the lowest density of guests, distint activities, unique accommodations, as well as incredible flora and fauna experiences in the most pristine wilderness areas.

AFRICANMECCA REVIEWS

What are our Customers saying about us? READ MORE REVIEWSfive star africanmecca safaris reviews

  • We had a fantastic trip to the Masai Mara. Thank you for helping to organise it. We will definitely recommend yourselves to our friends who are planning on travelling to Kenya. Thank you again.
    Tadhg Jones - AIG Inc - Croydon, United Kingdom
  • We had a fantastic trip to the Masai Mara. It was well organized by AfricanMecca Safaris and I had no worries. We loved the baby lions and were also able to see the leopard stalking its prey.
    Ken and Pam Daut - California, United States
  • Jambo Raza!!! The safari trip was spectacular! Everything went off without a hitch. We loved the Masai Mara. The migration was awesome. You listened to what I wanted and delivered it perfectly.
    Judi & Chaim Platt - Toronto, Canada
  • My trip to Kenya was beyond fantastic. I loved every second of it and I must thank you and your staff at AfricanMecca Safaris for making my travels to Masai Mara possible and most enjoyable.
    Katie Chakey - New Jersey, United States
  • Raza, Thank you for all your diligent assistance in coordinating our photo safari to the Masai Mara. Thanks again for all of your help in making this a truly dream vacation. I will be recommending you.
    Rusty Phenix - (Phenix & Crump Attorneys At Law) - Texas, United States
  • We had an incredible experience in Masai Mara & on the beach. Everything went very smoothly and the AfricanMecca representatives were fantastic. Thank you for putting together this amazing trip for us.
    Dr Cory M. Bryant - US FDA - Washington D.C, United States
  • I cannot say enough about the quality of AfricanMecca. Their teams in Kenya and Tanzania were top notch. Raza, again thanks to you and your entire organization! We will be repeat customers.
    Dan Kobick - Managing Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers - New York, United States

EAST AFRICA SAFARI BOOKING TRIP IDEA FOR MASAI MARA IN SOUTH-WESTERN KENYA

When visiting Masai Mara National Reserve, we recommend combining your wildebeest migration safari with Amboseli, Samburu or Laikipia - Lewa, Nakuru, Elementaita, and Naivasha - Great Rift Valley Lakes. You can also climb the 2nd highest mountain in Africa: Mount Kenya.

You may optionally extend out to other wilderness areas of Meru, Chyulu Hills or Tsavo East - Tsavo West for an offbeat wildlife tour.

You can end your vacation at the Indian Ocean for a beach vacation and Swahili cultural tour on the exotic spice island of Zanzibar, Lamu, or Mombasa.

Best Safari Planning Ideas & Trip Experiences For Kenya

Below are guide references on how to plan each of the below safari experience in Kenya. Alternatively, go to the summary section for a quick overview of each trip planning experience.

1. How To Plan Kenya Safari Trips? (Summary)

2. Wildlife Safari Trip Planning Guide For Kenya

3. Private & Tailor-Made Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya

4. Honeymoon Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya

5. Family Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya

6. Luxury Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya

7. Photo Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya

8. Cultural Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya

9. Primate Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya

10. Hike, Trek & Bush Walk Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya

11. Birding Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya

12. Horseback Riding Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya

13. Balloon Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya

14. Wedding Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya

15. Bush & Beach Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya

READ MORE

ARE YOU PLANNING TO BOOK AN AFRICAN SAFARI TO MASAI MARA IN KENYA?

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