Masai Mara National Reserve

So which is the best month to visit Masai Mara? The best time to visit Masai Mara National Reserve is between June and October, during the driest months. These are the best months for wildlife viewing because vegetation is thinner and animals gather around rivers and waterholes. The Masai Mara does offer good wildlife viewing during your safari holidays throughout the year, but during the rainy months (March, April, November, and December) some of the roads can be difficult to navigate. The wildebeest migration, and the river crossings in particular, are difficult to time, but your best chance to witness this spectacle is in September and October.

The average daytime temperatures remain comfortable while nights are marginally cooler, needing just a cardigan or light jacket at the most. Generally speaking, these conditions make for excellent game viewing at any time of the year. Like any other location in Kenya, the reserve experiences mildly distinct weather patterns, with two rainy seasons throughout the year that last 2 to 3 months, namely April to May and September to early November. Seasonal rainfall affects vegetation and water sources thus impacting the movement and concentration of animals.

However, with many tourists come for the Wildebeest Migration which typically starts mid-July, peaks in August, and lasts through early September, and this is regarded as the best time to visit Masai Mara, especially for those who want to see the Great Migration and large herds. As mentioned, due to varying rainfall patterns, the timing of the migration varies slightly from year to year.