When is the best time to visit the Maasai Mara?

Ask ten people when to visit the Maasai Mara and nine will say “during the migration”. They are not wrong, but they are not completely right either. The Mara has resident wildlife all year, and the best month for you depends on what you want to see, how much you want to spend and how much company you are happy to have at a sighting.

July to October: the migration

Around a million and a half wildebeest, plus zebra and gazelle, move north from the Serengeti into the Mara from roughly July, and head back south in October or November. The famous river crossings on the Mara and Talek rivers happen throughout this period, though never on a schedule. This is peak season: the weather is dry and cool, the grass is short, predators are easy to spot and the camps are full. Expect the highest prices of the year and the most vehicles at crossings. Book at least two months ahead, more for August.

January and February: warm, clear and green

After the short rains in November and December the Mara turns green, the skies clear and the light is beautiful. This is calving season for many antelope, which means predators are active and easy to find. It is our favourite time for photographers and for families travelling during the school holidays, and prices are lower than in the migration months.

March to May: the long rains

Rain falls most days, usually in heavy afternoon bursts, and some roads in the reserve become difficult. A number of camps close in April and May, and the ones that stay open drop their rates significantly. If you do not mind the mud, you get the Mara almost to yourself, dramatic skies and the best-value safari of the year. We would not recommend it for a first visit, but regulars love it.

June and November to December: the shoulders

June is dry, green and quiet, with the first wildebeest arriving late in the month. November and early December see short rains that rarely spoil a safari, with low prices until the Christmas rush starts around 20 December.

Our recommendation

If the river crossings are a bucket-list item, go in August or September and book early. If you want a quieter, cheaper safari with excellent big cat sightings, go in late January or February. If you are on a tight budget and flexible, June and early November are the sweet spots. Whenever you go, three nights is the minimum we recommend for the Mara.

See our 3-Day Maasai Mara Safari for a starting point, or ask us to tailor one for your dates.

Maasai Mara migration safari planning