Amidst the verdant plains of the Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve is a life giver to nature that snakes its way through the Savannah rocky landscape. Also its waters and enriched soils are of support to the variety of wild animals including the wildebeests.  Below is a seasonal travel guide for the worst and best time to vist Masai Mara in Kenya including the Africa great migration dates.

Which is the Best Month to Visit Masai Mara? The wildebeests arrive in the Maasai Mara from Serengeti Tanzanija usually between July to early October hence aligning with the Great Wildebeest Migration Kenya. Then from early November to December they make their way back through the Mara River back to the Southern plains of Serengeti for the calving season. So, these months are the best time to visit Masai Mara for this animal migration in Africa. If you want the Kenya safari great migration, the months of July to October are best time for migration in Kenya. However Masai Mara Kenya can be visited through out the year and expect to see various animals.

Besides the wildebeests, the Maasai Mara also has a diversity of other wild animals such as the different animal species like the  spotted hyena, impalas. Also, Thompson gazelles , rufous –naped lark not  forgetting the big five ( lions, leopards, African buffaloes, rhinos and  African elephants). Bird watchers and bird researchers are not also left out. This is because; here are the different bird species you can find in the Maasai Mara. These bateleur, saddle-billed stork, white- backed vulture, kori bustard and many others. These bird species can be spotted in the best and the worst times when visiting Masai Mara Kenya.

We would not be doing the Maasai Mara Reserve justice if we do not talk about its extraterrestrial scenic views.  In addition, we have the blooming sunset and sunrise views of Maasai Mara, the Mara triangle, the Loita hills, the Mara River and the Eluai plain. Visiting Masai Mara in July to October which the best time to visit Masai Mara promises you great views of these destinations.

You can visit to the Maasai Mara national Reserve for cultural encounters during any time of the year. You can also explore the culture of the Maasai people, their unique traditional dressing, jewelry, music, dance and traditions.

You can visit Maasai Mara at any time of the year. However, it is most preferable to visit the Maasai Mara between the early weeks of July to the early weeks of October because of the reasons below.

• You can witness the peak of the summit of the East Africa great migration in Masai Mara experience during this time. This is the Kenya migration season as the wildebeests are going through the Mara River to the productive areas of the reserve in search for water and food.
• During this Kenya safari migration season, tourists get to have undistracted river crossings of the wildebeests. Along with the ultimate scenic photographic views of the Mara River and the  other wild animals at the Mara River.
• July – October is considered the dry season in the Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya and the rainfall received is limited.   Hence, this is the best time to get full enclosure for all the wild animals in the Maasai Mara. Additionally, the water holes  are the absolute attraction for the grazers at the banks and the predators also use this opportunity to  monitor and stalk  their prey. This usually happens as the prey also take the chance to hydrate at the water sources.
• The tracks in the Masai Mara Kenya are also less muddy and it’s easier for the safari vehicles to go through. Visitors to Masai Mara can also take the nature walks through the reserve and get to enfold into the natural world of the African Savannah.
• In this season you can also participate in other activities like the cultural activities with the Kuria culture and the Maasai culture and since this season brings in a lot of tourists in the Maasai Mara you get the opportunity to interact with other visitors.

Our Serengeti Masai Mara safari guides encourage tourists to prepare their safari Kenya in accordance to the weather patterns above. Hence, have an enjoyable Masai Mara trip in the Maasai Mara national Park in Kenya.

The heaviest rainy season in Maasai Mara is usually from the late February to May. So months from from March to May are the worst time to visit Masai Mara in Kenya. Also, here are the reasons why visitors should not visit MAsai Mara National Park during this period of time.

• Most days in seasons are likely to be rainy hence the spotting and wildlife enclosure in the Maasai Mara is limited. Since the pop up roofs of the safari vans are usually closed to prevent rain from entering the vehicles. Hence the tourists aren’t likely to have enough fun even if during the period especially in May there’s less vehicle congestion.
• The rainy period is only not fit for the safari 4×4 vehicles in Kenya to penetrate  through some places in the Masai Mara National reserve. Since most of them usually get stuck on the way and this is inconveniencing for the tourists as they are likely to move out of the vans so that they can be operated on by the mechanics. Thereby making this is a risky experience as the visitors stand higher chances of getting colds and flu du to standing outside in the cold. Lastly, their Masai Mara safari game drive experiences are made shorter due to the time spent on the road working on the vehicle.
• Just as  human beings look around for shelter when it is raining, the animals also do the same as when it is raining. They get hide out places for pro-creation that happens mostly during the rainy season. Therefore the visitors that would have come to the Maasai Mara NP during this period  have less chances of  encountering some of the wild animals in the park. However, because of the greenery that unfolds during this season, it is advantageous for the grazers like the zebras to come out of their hiding and graze.

In conlusion, the best time to visit Masai Mara is from July to October. The worst time to visit Masai Mara in Kenya is from March to May and it is a low season hence cheaper compared to visiting Masai Mara in the high season.