The Maasai Mara National Reserve offers excellent wildlife viewing throughout the year, but the experience can be different depending on the season. Here’s a general breakdown:
- Peak Season (July to October): The most renowned feature of the Maasai Mara, the Great Migration, typically occurs from July to October. During this time, over a million wildebeest, zebra, and Thomson’s gazelle move in a massive herd from the Serengeti in Tanzania across the Mara River into the Maasai Mara in Kenya. This movement provides spectacular wildlife viewing and is considered one of the greatest natural spectacles on earth. Note that exact timing can vary each year as it’s dependent on the rains. The peak season is also the busiest time in the Mara, so you can expect more tourists and higher prices.
- Shoulder Season (January to March): This period is considered the calving season for the wildebeest, leading to a lot of predator action. The landscape during this time is lush and green due to the short rains from November and December, and bird watching is especially good. There are fewer tourists during this time, offering a more private experience.
- Low Season (April to June): These months correspond with the long rains in Kenya, which can make some roads impassable and generally make game viewing more challenging. However, the Maasai Mara is never void of animals, and you’ll still be able to see a variety of wildlife, including many of the resident predators and grazers. Prices tend to be lower during this season, and you’ll encounter fewer tourists.
- Hot, Dry Season (December to March): This period is hotter and drier, which tends to concentrate wildlife around the remaining sources of water. The visibility of wildlife can be excellent, but the heat can be intense.
Remember that weather patterns and animal behavior are not entirely predictable, and variations can occur from year to year.