Weather in Masai Mara National Reserve
Weather in Masai Mara National Reserve
Weather in Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the key factors that travelers must know about before they visit the park on their Kenya Safari. Weather in Masai Mara national reserve is pleasant and moderate with hot and wet that makes the temperatures to be more uniform across the year. Kenya like any other African countries are mostly dominated by equatorial climate whose weather is characterised by the hot and dry conditions. The Masai Mara national reserve weather is the same with some other tourist destinations that are the close to Equator. The reserve experiences cooler nights and more wet than places that are far away from the Equator. The Masai Mara National Reserve is located in the southern part of the Equator at an altitude of 1,500 – 1,900 meters above sea level.
Masai Mara national reserve weather is characterised by two rainy seasons with the first rains more and longer than the second rains. The first rains are received around March and last up to May. The second rains are very short and small lasting for only one month, they are received in November. The rain fall patterns influence the movement of the wildebeest and also the tourists. The rainy months are considered low season simply because few travellers visit the reserve during these months. However, the rains do not affect the daily activities at the park instead makes it easy for the game viewing since there is plenty of pasture for the wildlife. The animals do not go very far looking for green pastures as well as water. During the long rainy months, all the migratory tented camps change location while others just close up to wait for the next dry season to start.
Masai Mara national reserve weather is characterised by high temperatures, especially around October and March. Around June to August which is also the dry months, the temperatures are very high at day time but very low during the night to extent that the night temperatures can be as low as 10 degrees Celsius. This is the time the campfires are very busy at every camp or lodge in Masai Mara national reserve. The warm temperatures during the day favor more wildlife experience as the game is always active starting as early as 6 am and going till late. Even during the rainy months, the temperatures are warm hence no need for heavy clothing parking list. Guests can enjoy the open roof cars during their game drives throughout the year.
The dry season of Masai Mara national reserve weather is not entirely with no rains, the reserve expects rains throughout the year. However much its dry seasons but any time of the day it can rain. The dry months start from June to October and from December to February and this is known as high season. It is during these months that the wildebeest migration cross from Serengeti National Park to Masai Mara national reserve. The sunshine is witnessed throughout the year making guests to enjoy the best of African sunshine during their games in any time of the year including the wet or rainy months. The Masai Mara national reserve weather is funny in that it can be raining when the sun is shining at the same time or immediately after the rains the sun starts shining and it becomes very hot once again.
Due to the fact that the Masai Mara national reserve weather is warm during day and very cool during the night. It is advisable that travellers park both light clothes and heavy clothes which are used during the different times of the day. If you’re planning to have a night game drive, then you need to have heavy jackets because it is colder during the night than day time. The rains in Masai Mara National Reserve are mostly received later in the afternoons and during night. This gives the guests enough time to do all their safari activities before it rains. During rainy season travellers must use 4×4 wheel Drive safari cars to overcome the muddy wildlife tracks used for game drives.
The wildlife especially birds breed during the rainy season this is the best time for birding in Masai Mara national reserve. The migratory birds from different parts of the world come to the reserve for breeding before going back to their respective home areas. The day time temperatures are more pleasant making the guests enjoy great active birding.
Its always great enjoyment during the dry season when Masai Mara national reserve weather is more lovely. The animals are concentrated on the water catchment areas making it easy for animal viewing. From June to August the reserve receives some light rains and the temperatures are not at its climax. This is the time the wildebeest migration happens along the Mara river when millions of wildebeest cross from Serengeti national park of Tanzania to Masai Mara National Reserve. In September and October, the temperatures are very high and the reserve is very hot. The wildebeest start migrating back to Serengeti national park. In late October the temperatures start reducing as the reserve prepares for the short rainy season that happens in November. After the November rains, the second brief dry season kicks off from December to February.
Looking for the best time to visit Masai Mara National Reserve, the dry month if you want to experience the migration. If you’re a birder, then the rainy months which are also the breeding months of the birds. The costs of visiting the reserve is also determined by the time of the visit, the high or peak season the cost is high and during the low season also called the rainy season the cost is low as more camps give discounted rates. The best months to visit the reserve is from June to October and from December to February. For more information, check out our article about the best time to visit Masai Mara national reserve.
