Masai Mara Weather: Masai Mara’s Seasons & Climate Guide

Masai Mara is one of the most popular wildlife destinations in the world. Located in southwestern Kenya, it is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including lions, elephants, cheetahs, and wildebeests.

However, one of the most important factors that visitors need to consider when planning a trip to Masai Mara is the weather.

The weather in Masai Mara can have a significant impact on your experience, so it is important to understand the climate and weather patterns before you go.

Masai Mara weather

Climate of Masai Mara

Masai Mara is situated near the equator and has a warm and humid climate. The area has two rainy seasons and two dry seasons.

The dry seasons occur between June and September and between December and February. The rainy seasons occur between March and May and between October and November.

The average temperature in Masai Mara is around 28 degrees Celsius during the day and 15 degrees Celsius at night. The climate in Masai Mara is generally mild, with temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius.

Weather Patterns in Masai Mara

The dry season in Masai Mara is from December to March. During this time, the weather is generally sunny and dry, and there is little rainfall. This is considered the best time to visit for wildlife viewing, as the animals tend to congregate around water sources.

The wet season in Masai Mara is from April to June and October to November. During these months, the weather is generally cloudy and humid, and there is a high chance of rainfall.

The rains can make the roads in Masai Mara difficult to navigate, and some camps and lodges may be inaccessible.

The short rains in Masai Mara occur between November and December. During this time, the weather is generally mild, with occasional rain showers.

The long rains in Masai Mara occur between March and May. During this time, the weather is generally wet, with heavy rain showers that can last for several hours. Read my article on the best times of the year for safari in Kenya.

Effects of Weather on Tourism in Masai Mara

The weather in Masai Mara can have a significant impact on tourism in the area. During the dry season, wildlife sightings are more common, as the animals tend to congregate around water sources. However, this is also the peak tourist season, so accommodation and tour prices may be higher.

During the wet season, the landscape is lush and green, and there are fewer tourists in the area. However, the roads can be difficult to navigate, and some camps and lodges may be closed due to the weather.


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    Masai Mara Weather in January

    In January, Masai Mara experiences hot and dry weather with low precipitation levels. The average temperature during the day is around 28°C, while at night, it drops to around 12°C.

    The weather conditions during this month make it an excellent time for wildlife viewing, as the animals tend to congregate around water sources.

    However, visitors should be prepared for the heat and bring appropriate clothing and sunscreen. January is also a popular month for visitors, so it is advisable to book accommodation and tours in advance.

    Masai Mara Weather in February

    February is one of the best months to visit Masai Mara as the weather is hot and dry, making it perfect for wildlife viewing. The average temperature during the day is around 28°C, while at night, it drops to around 13°C.

    Precipitation levels remain low, and the sky is mostly clear, providing excellent opportunities for photography. However, visitors should be prepared for the heat and bring appropriate clothing and sunscreen.

    February is a popular month for visitors, so it is advisable to book accommodation and safaris to Masai Mara in advance.

    Masai Mara Weather in March

    March marks the start of the long rainy season in Masai Mara. The weather during this month is warm and humid, with occasional rain showers throughout the day. The average temperature during the day is around 27°C, while at night, it drops to around 13°C.

    The rain can make some roads difficult to navigate, but it also brings the landscape to life with lush greenery. Wildlife viewing is still possible, but visitors should be prepared for wet conditions and bring appropriate clothing and gear.

    March is a less busy month, and visitors can enjoy lower prices on accommodation and tours.

    Masai Mara Weather in May

    May is towards the end of the long rainy season in Masai Mara, and the weather during this month is still humid and wet. The average temperature during the day is around 25°C, while at night, it drops to around 12°C.

    The rain can be heavy at times, making it difficult to navigate the roads, and some camps and lodges may be closed. However, the lush green landscape is ideal for photography, and the birdlife is abundant.

    Wildlife viewing is still possible, but visitors should be prepared for wet conditions and bring appropriate clothing and gear. May is a less busy month, and visitors can enjoy lower prices on accommodation and tours.

    Masai Mara Weather in June

    June marks the start of the dry season in Masai Mara, and the weather during this month is cooler and drier. The average temperature during the day is around 24°C, while at night, it drops to around 11°C.

    The landscape is still lush from the previous rains, and wildlife viewing is excellent, as animals gather around the remaining water sources. The skies are mostly clear, providing perfect conditions for photography.

    June is also the beginning of the high season, with many visitors flocking to the reserve to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, so it is advisable to book accommodation and tours in advance. You can observe the migration by taking an optional hot air balloon Mara safari.

    Masai Mara Weather in July

    July is one of the best months to visit Masai Mara as the weather is dry and mild, making it perfect for wildlife viewing. The average temperature during the day is around 23°C, while at night, it drops to around 10°C.

    The landscape is still lush from the previous rains, and wildlife viewing is excellent, with the Great Migration in full swing. The skies are mostly clear, providing perfect conditions for photography. July is a very popular month for visitors, so its best to book accommodation and tours in advance.

    Masai Mara Weather in August

    Masai Mara is a wonderful destination for wildlife viewing, and August stands out as one of the best months to visit. The weather is typically dry and mild, providing ideal conditions for spotting wildlife. During the day, the average temperature hovers around 23°C, and at night, it drops to around 10°C

    The landscape is dry and barren, with little vegetation, making it easier to spot wildlife. The Great Migration is still ongoing, providing excellent opportunities to witness the spectacle. The skies are mostly clear, providing perfect conditions for photography.

    Masai Mara Weather in September

    September is towards the end of the dry season in Masai Mara, and the weather during this month is dry and mild, with little to no rainfall. The average temperature during the day is around 27°C, while at night, it drops to around 13°C.

    The landscape is still dry and barren, with little vegetation, making it easier to spot wildlife. The Great Migration is still ongoing, providing excellent opportunities to witness the spectacle.

    The skies are mostly clear, providing perfect conditions for photography.

    Masai Mara weather in October

    Masai Mara Weather in October

    October is towards the end of the short rainy season in Masai Mara, and the weather during this month is warm and humid, with occasional rain showers. The average temperature during the day is around 27°C, while at night, it drops to around 13°C.

    The landscape is still green from the recent rains, and wildlife viewing is excellent, as animals disperse throughout the reserve. The skies are mostly clear, providing perfect conditions for photography. October is a less busy month, and visitors can enjoy lower prices on accommodation and tours.

    Best Time to Visit Masai Mara

    The best time to visit Masai Mara depends on your priorities. If you want to see the wildlife, the dry season from December to March is the best time to visit.

    If you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy the lush landscape, the wet season from April to June and October to November is the best time to visit.

    It is important to pack appropriate clothing and gear for the weather conditions. If you are visiting during the dry season, be sure to bring sunscreen, a hat, and light clothing. If you are visiting during the wet season, be sure to bring waterproof clothing and shoes.


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      Google Review About Us By Past Clients

      Mara Gates Safaris
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      Luis Eduardo Torres R.
      Luis Eduardo Torres R.
      12:29 27 Dec 19
      Unbelievable experience! From planning and booking with Agnes, up to our last day, everything was great!Our driver, Jackson, was AMAZING! He definitely a big factor in making our experience so... unique.read more
      rommel carlos
      rommel carlos
      21:27 17 Oct 19
      Agnes of Mara Gates always responds within 24 hours regarding any of my inquiries. She made the process very easy and always accommodated changes to our itinerary. Ken our driver/guide is very... knowledgeable about animals and their behavior. Will definitely book another Safari trip with Mara Gates.!!!read more
      Robert Schlag
      Robert Schlag
      21:43 14 Oct 19
      Mara Gates provided us with an experience of a lifetime. The places that we visited were breathtakingly beautiful, the variety and number of animals and flora were spectacular. And our guide, Ken,... was so courteous, knowledgeable, and organized. The depth of his knowledge and explanations of animal behavior and the local environments was like traveling with a patient university professor of zoology, ornithology, and botany. Our lodging, food, and their support service staff were excellent. I give this company and its guide my highest recommendation. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.read more
      Malou Carlos
      Malou Carlos
      20:46 10 Oct 19
      We had a wonderful 9-day safari with Mara Gates. My husband found their website and came up with a custom-made itinerary, that Agnes gladly accommodated and made it even better. Communicating with... them was so easy because Agnes responds promptly. As soon as their office is open in Nairobi, they respond to our email inquiries quickly. We also met her at our hotel and we discussed the itinerary and she gave us pointers on what to expect during our trip. On the morning of the beginning of our safari, Ken our guide and driver promptly arrived and packed our van. Ken is a very intelligent, knowledgeable, wonderful person who gave us quick lessons on the different types of animals, birds, reptiles and also gave us lessons on their behavior. We would really like to go back and do another safari with Mara Gates, and most especially with Ken. Thank you so much for a wonderful trip!read more
      Rob Lovemore
      Rob Lovemore
      09:55 07 Oct 19
      our family booked a hot air balloon trip with Mara Gates. A very good driver collected us from our camp in a smart closed body Toyota Landcruiser. Our camp was nearly an hours drive from the balloon... site so it was a good commitment. Hot air ballooning is a must for visitors to the Mara. It's expensive but well worth it. We had a very competent pilot from Switzerland. The open air breakfast on the plains after we landed was also excellent. Then the same driver took us back home again. A great day out. Thanks Mara Gates.read more
      ABHIJIT MANNA
      ABHIJIT MANNA
      02:36 03 Sep 19
      We booked our African Safari trip with Mara Gates Safaris in May, '19. This was one of the best trips we have made so far and thanks to Mara Gates Safaris, it became the most memorable one. We... received all the help we needed starting from the booking until the end of the trip. Special thanks to our guide Ken who enlightened us so much about the nature and behavior of the animals in the wild and took us to some of the best viewing spots over the different parks.read more
      A Google User
      A Google User
      14:20 29 Aug 19
      My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our safari with Mara Gates. They were helpful from initial enquiries, through changes, to the final stop of getting us to the airport. The guide, hotels and meals... were all excellent. Our guide took great pains to ensure that we saw 'all' the animals and were able to take wonderful photos. We have great memories of this trip. At 84 and 72, we were comfortable all the way and felt well cared for. We would highly recommend this company and in fact we have to several friends. On another note, we had to cancel an earlier booking with this company because of an unexpected hospitalization. They were most kind and considerate and expeditiously handled refunds of our down-payment. Finally, from what I have seen, their prices are very good and certainly fall into the category of 'good value for the money'.read more
      Maurine Limo
      Maurine Limo
      12:12 10 Dec 18
      I had a wonderful experience with Mara Gates Safaris. I wanted a 5 day trip to the coastal town and they got me a very good safari. They are highly organized, excellent communicators- never once did... I not get my queries answered and very accommodating. Everything went exactly as scheduled and discussed. Ms. Agnes is easy to work with and a professional in her line of duty. First time with Mara Gates and I will definitely be using them.read more
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