Weather in Masai Mara National Reserve

Weather in Masai Mara National Reserve- All clients going to Masai Mara National Reserve must know the weather of this great reserve in order not to be disappointed with their wildlife experience. The Masai Mara National Reserve weather is moderate characterized by hot and wet conditions with its temperatures more or less uniform all year round.

Kenya like most of the East Africa countries is dominated by the equatorial type of climate and the major characterizes of the equatorial type of clime is that it has got two conditions which include dry and wet conditions. Masai Mara National Reserve weather is also similar to moist weather of all places and destinations in Kenya and all those destinations that are near the equator. Masai Mara National Reserve is situated in the southern part of the equator at 1500 to 1900 meters above sea level.

The weather in Masai Mara National Reserve has got two seasons of rains of which is one that is heavy and longer while the others are short rains. The first rains and the longer ones are received in Masai Mara National Reserve from March and go up to May while the shortest ones and the second rains happen in November.

Masai Mara National Reserve is famous for the movement of the wildebeest in the whole world. The presence of rains influences the movement pattern of these wildebeest animals and so do tourists to Masai Mara National Reserve. Usually, in all protected areas or national parks in Kenya, the rainy months are considered as the low season as far as tourist arrivals in Kenya are concerned.

It is also important to note that rains are a blessing in disguise as it makes the grass rejuvenate, and this makes it easy for the animals to have a lot of food and the whole reserve become for green. The long heavy rainfall month in Masai Mara National Reserve will make the tourists change the camping tents while some of the tents may close up until the rainy season is over for the business or sunshine to light.

The Masai Mara National Reserve is characterized by high temperatures as part of its weather and this is so high especially during March and October and then June to august which is regarded as dry months where temperatures are very high during the daytime but became low at night up to as low as 10 degrees Celsius.

During this time, almost every campsite lights the campfire at night, and such fire can also be found at the hotel or the Lodge in Masai Mara National Reserve. The dry or high temperatures during the day enhance a nice experience for the visitors as they can do the game drive without any animal disturbance.

Tourists can be seen in Masai Mara National Reserve in their open-roof vehicles even in light clothes during the dry weather day game drives. The game drives in Masai Mara National Reserve are open throughout the year.

The dry season of the Masai Mara National Reserve has no rains however the Masai Mara National Reserve can be experienced throughout the year. Therefore even if tits dry season, any time of the day can happen. The dry months start in June and runs to October and again from December to February throughout the year.

It is during the dry season that the experience of the wildebeest migration crossing from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya happens.

The sunshine during these months excites the tourists and some of the guests leave Kenya commending for the best sunshine climate in Africa which can be witnessed during the game drives. At times it can be raining when at the same time it is sunning so you can imagine such type of weather. Even when after it has just rained, immediately the sunshine sun is seen and the whole place becomes hot again.

The fact that you find that in Masai Mara National Reserve the weather is very warm during the daytime and becomes cold during the night, it is from this basis that visitors are advised to pack both light and heavy clothes as you mitigate both types of weather or in preparation to both climatic conditions. Heavy jackets to keep you warm are needed in case you’re planning to have the night game drive in Masai Mara National Reserve.

The rains in Masai Mara National Reserve are mostly received during the afternoon hours and mostly during the night. This is advantageous as it allows visitors to do all the safaris activities before it does rain however, the rain is unpredictable as it can as well rain in the morning.

It is also advisable that visitors use the four-wheel-drive vehicle when going to Masai Mara National Reserve during the heavy rains or the rainy season as the small cars may get stuck as you’re doing the game drive safaris.

Importantly, it is during the rainy season that most birds of the Masai Mara National Reserve breed, and thus the rainy season features the best time when visitors can go for bird watching safaris in Masai Mara National Reserve. This season attracts several bird species even migratory birds from different parts of the world that come to Masai Mara National Reserve for just breeding before they go back to their native countries.

It is always fun to enjoy the Masai Mara National Reserve during the dry season because this is when the weather is friendlier. In the dry season, the animals are more concentrated in the watcher spots in Masai Mara National Reserve and this makes it so pleasant for the visitors to enjoy the animals in one place.

During June, July, and August, Masai Mara National Reserve receives very little rainfall and temperatures are moderate. The wildebeest migration which is the best high of the Masai Mara National Reserve safaris does take place during this time and visitors will see how animals cross the River Mara to Masai Mara National Reserve from Serengeti National Park in Northern Tanzania.

The months of September and then to October signifies high temperatures in Masai Mara National Reserve and the wildebeest now starts migrating back to Tanzania and in late October the temperatures cool slowly as the rains start to come in November and later the short dry season returns from December to February.

So in case, you’re looking for the best time when you can go to Masai Mara National Reserve for the safaris.

I, therefore, recommend you to travel to Masai Mara National Reserve during the dry season especially if you’re interested in the wildebeest migration and if you’re a birder, then it is good to go during the wet season or the rainy season when there is breeding period for the birds and when you will get a chance to see the migratory birds species.

Usually, during the peak season which is during the dry season, the cost of visiting Masai Mara National Reserve is very high as guests are many and most of the places are booked which is not the same situation during the rainy or low season.