Maasai Mara
When people think of Africa, they think of Kenya’s Maasai Mara. The vast rolling plains, the sheer density and diversity of wildlife, and the thrill of the wild. Few places can rival this iconic area for wildlife viewing.
What to expect…
The Mara is known for incredible numbers of predators, particularly big prides of lions which roam these vast plains in numbers not usually seen elsewhere in Africa. If you want to see males in all their glory, the Maasai Mara is the place to see them.
The world-famous Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra moves into the Mara from the Serengeti every year following the rains as they have done for millennia. Leopards, huge numbers of spotted hyenas and other predators like cheetah hunt the Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles that thrive on the open grassland that extend horizon to horizon interspersed with small riverine valleys. Smaller animals like jackals, serval and aardwolf use the grass to good effect whilst crocodiles and hippos make their homes in the larger rivers.
In reality it is the sheer density and diversity of wildlife that truly amazes. Big skies and open plains, the Maasai Mara is an African icon.
Conservancies vs Reserve
The Maasai Mara Conservancies are incredible and successful conservation stories where the land is owned by the community and not by the government as is the case in the Mara Reserve. Tourist density is low and vehicle numbers at sightings are limited meaning that you can enjoy being with the wildlife without the scenes and sounds of hundreds of vehicles surrounding and crowding the animals. I will only lead trips to the Conservancies.
When to Visit
January and February is an incredible time to visit the Mara - when the weather is warm and there is little rain. The young calves and fawns are frolicking and food is plentiful. From March the clouds begin to build and can result in incredible photographic opportunities and fewer people which is why I love it here then but the rains can come early. Being equatorial, rain can happen at any time of year, however, the main seasonal rains typically occur in April and May meaning that many of the camps close down for these months before re-opening in June when it can be seasonal and also usually has a wildlife lull after a couple of months of not being seen but tourist numbers are fewer.
From July through to October it is typically drier and cooler. This is when the Great Migration arrives from the Serengeti in Tanzania meaning that there will be incredible scenes and if you want to see crossings this is when to go, but there is also a corresponding increase in tourist density and high-season rates. Remember though, the predators are territorial and are present year round as are large numbers of resident wildebeest, gazelles, elands, elephants and some of the highest concentrations of giraffes anywhere in Africa. Short rains normally come in November and December in the form of afternoon thunderstorms and this can make for incredible photography and dramatic skies.
JAN
Excellent
FEB
Excellent
MAR
Very Good
APRIL
Mixed
MAY
Mixed
JUN
Good
JUL
Mixed
AUG
Mixed
SEPT
Mixed
OCT
Good
NOV
Excellent
DEC
Very Good
