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Weather in Masai Mara
The Great Migration and the world's finest safari
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About Masai Mara
The Masai Mara delivers the safari of your imagination: vast open savannah, lions lazing in the late afternoon light, and the Great Migration when 1.5 million wildebeest cross the Mara River — one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth. Kenya does hospitality exceptionally well.
Best months to visit
January, May, June, July, August, September
Language
Swahili / English
Things to do in Masai Mara
Game drives
Great Migration Jul-Oct
Hot air balloon safari
Maasai village visit
Birdwatching
Night drives
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
Recommended
January
28C
Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.
February
29C
Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.
March
29C
Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.
April
27C
Warm and pleasant, with regular rainfall.
Recommended
May
27C
Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.
Recommended
June
26C
Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.
Recommended
July
27C
Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
August
28C
Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.
Recommended
September
29C
Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.
October
30C
Hot and humid, with occasional showers.
November
28C
Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.
December
28C
Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.
Kenya is where the concept of the African safari was born and it remains the benchmark — the Masai Mara in August during the Great Migration is one of the natural world's most staggering spectacles, Amboseli delivers Kilimanjaro in the background of elephant portraits that become photographs of a lifetime, and the Laikipia Plateau's conservancies offer a private, intimate wildlife experience increasingly rare in Africa. Add the white coral beaches of the Kenyan coast at Diani and you have a continent in a single country.
Best areas to stay in Masai Mara
Masai Mara National Reserve
Kenya's most famous wildlife reserve — the annual wildebeest migration, resident lion prides, cheetahs, and extraordinary game density year-round.
Amboseli National Park
Africa's most iconic elephant photography destination — large herds moving against the dramatic backdrop of snow-capped Kilimanjaro on clear mornings.
Laikipia Plateau
A mosaic of private conservancies offering intimate, exclusive safari experiences — black and white rhino, wild dogs, and conservation-focused ecotourism at its finest.
Diani Beach
Kenya's finest beach resort — white coral sand, warm Indian Ocean waters, and excellent diving and snorkelling on the protected reef.
Getting to Masai Mara
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Flights
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi is served by British Airways and Kenya Airways directly from London Heathrow; also accessible via Doha (Qatar Airways), Dubai (Emirates), and Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines).
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From London
~8.5 hours direct from London
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Getting around
Safari vehicles are provided by operators for game drives; domestic flights (Air Kenya, Safarilink, Fly540) connect Nairobi to the main parks efficiently. Mombasa and Diani are served by frequent domestic flights from Nairobi (1 hour).
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for Kenya safari?
July to October is peak season — the Great Migration crosses the Mara River in mass, and dry season concentrates wildlife around water sources. January to February is excellent and less expensive. The long rains (March–May) offer lush landscapes and very few tourists.
Do I need vaccinations for Kenya?
Yellow fever vaccination is required if arriving from a yellow fever-endemic country. Typhoid, hepatitis A, tetanus, and polio vaccinations are recommended. Malaria prophylaxis is essential for all safari areas — consult a travel health clinic at least 6 weeks before departure.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Kenya?
Yes — Kenya requires an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) obtained online before travel, currently US$30 for most tourists. Apply at the official etakenya.go.ke website several days before departure.
Is Kenya safe for tourists?
The main safari areas and Nairobi's tourist districts are generally well-supervised. Check the FCDO travel advice before going — coastal and border areas carry higher advisories. Most safari visitors have entirely trouble-free experiences.
Can I combine safari with beach in Kenya?
Yes — the standard Kenya itinerary combines Masai Mara (or Amboseli) with the Diani Beach area south of Mombasa. Flights between Nairobi and the coast take about an hour; the contrast between bush and beach is one of Kenya's great strengths.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
The Mara River crossing during the Great Migration was something I had seen in documentaries for 30 years — nothing prepares you for the reality of thousands of wildebeest plunging into crocodile-filled water. Absolutely extraordinary and deeply moving.
Victoria S. · August 2024
★★★★★
Amboseli in January with a clear Kilimanjaro for three consecutive mornings was dream safari conditions — elephants in the foreground with the snow-capped peak behind them is the perfect Africa photograph and it was right there in real life.
Richard C. · January 2023
★★★★☆
Combined Masai Mara (four nights) with Diani Beach (five nights) and it was the perfect Kenya itinerary — extraordinary wildlife followed by total beach relaxation. The 45-minute flight to the coast was very easy to arrange through our safari operator.
Sarah M. · September 2024
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