Kifaru Discover Safaris

best time to visit masai mara

Best Time to Visit Masai Mara (Month by Month Guide)

You probably know Maasai Mara is found in Kenya and is a well-known attraction. It has been one of the best safari destinations in Africa due to its Great migration wonder of the natural world. But when is the best time to visit Masai Mara? In this guide we are going to advise you on the best time to visit Maasai Mara so that you can enjoy the best of your Kenya safari.We have been planning Masai Mara Safaris for many years and always strive to our clients the best travel experiences. Maasai Mara got its name from the Maasai people who inhabit the region in their native language of Maa, Mara means dotted. Masai means plain, in full Maasai Mara means dotted plains. It is not a park but a national reserve that belongs to the Maasai people under the management of the County Government of Narok. Maasai Mara has an area of 1920km in Mara region and it is located in the southern part of The Great Rift VaIIey and is in south west of Nairobi city and it’s approximately 7hrs drive from Nairobi passing through the great Rift Valley. It is the most famous place to find almost every kind of animals including the big five (African Elephants, Lions, Rhinos, Leopards, and Buffalo). Other animals found in Masai Mara include cheetahs, gazelles, wildebeests, ostriches, serval cats, giraffes, and hundreds of bird species (look out for the colorful national bird of Kenya the Lilac-Breasted Roller  which also happens to be my favorite bird). The Best Time To Visit Masai Mara From experience, the best time to visit Masai Mara is definitely during the Great Migration between June and October where about 1.5 million wildebeests and zebras migrate between Kenya (Maasai Mara) and Tanzania (Serengeti). You can witness this amazing spectacle, which one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, on the Maasai Mara side. For good scenes be sure to visit the Mara River to witness herds and herds of wildebeests braving the deep fast moving waters and hungry crocodiles. The migration of wildebeest takes place in month of June, July, August, and September, and that is the time that travelers are able to see the migration. It involves about 1.5 million wildebeests, 0.3 million zebras and various antelope species where predators like lions, cheaters, and crocodiles lay in wait. They cross the heavily infested Mara River. The best time to visit Masai Mara for migration is the month of September when most herds are grazing on the Sekenani regions of the Mara. During this month there is almost no migratory herd in Serengeti. The best time to visit Masai Mara and Serengeti as a single safari is in the months of July (when Wildebeest are migrating North from Serengeti to Maasai Mara) and November (when wildebeests are migrating Southwards from the Mara towards Northern Serengeti). This answers those people who are wondering ‘is November a good time to visit Masai Mara? ‘. You can inquire more about Maasai Mara Safari or book your safari with us as local guides at Maasai Mara and Nairobi. INQUIRE OR BOOK Here are a few months in which a number of our clients are usually asking what is happening in Maasai Mara and our responses as local guides: Masai Mara in December December is a dry season in Maasai Mara and only experiences a few days (less than 10) of short rains. The short rain usually happen in the afternoons do not affect game drives significantly. However, you will still be able to see several herds of wildebeests which are usually resident in the Mara region. The less and short vegetation also makes it easier to spot other animals like lions, cheetahs, serval cats, gazelles , or even leopards among others. If you are a bird watching enthusiast, December is a very ideal month to visit Maasai Mara because it experiences flocks of migratory birds which fly across the Mara. Species of birds which can be spotted during this period include Rufous-bellied Herons, White Storks, Double-Toothed Barbets, Black Storks, and Spoon-Billed Storks. Some plants like Teclea bushes produce fruits during this season and the Bullbuls and White Casked Hornbills birds love these delicacies making it easy to spot them. We thus recommend December as bird watching safari month in the Masai Mara. December is also the best time to visit Masai Mara and Serengeti because wildebeests are migrating South from Maasai Mara towards northern Serengeti. Masai Mara in January If you have been wondering what Masai Mara in January looks like, January is a dry month in most parts in Kenya including the Mara Triangle. January is usually drier than December. This means less green vegetation which means you expect to see less grazers like wildebeests but still a good opportunity to see other animals like Cheetahs and Lions as the grass and other ground vegetation are short and sparse. In January, the temperatures in Masai Mara usually average around 20°C  during the day but can go as high as 32°C  especially during midday. The humidity is usually low and can go as low as 20% and sometimes as high as 70% when there is cloud cover.  If you are wondering, ‘is February a good time to visit Masai Mara?’, it is also the same dry season like January but you will still witness all the big 5 animals and smaller herds of wildebeests.   The Maasai People The Maasai people are the dominant tribe that lives around Maasai Mara. They are nomadic people moving from one place to another in search of water, pasture and food for their cattle. There is also the Maa culture which is the best culture in Kenya. The Maa culture has may sectors e.g. dances, tools/craftsmanship, housing, circumcision as a rite of passage, ornaments like necklaces. The Maa culture is one of the most hospitable communities in Kenya, they are very welcoming. Maasai Mara has some of the best luxury safari camps and

Camping ideas

Camping Ideas for Couples

Going camping as a couple is one of the best decisions you can ever make. It gives you two a wonderful time to enjoy nature together. We are going to give you some of the best camping ideas for couples to ensure you have a splendid experience. From our camping experiences, we are going to share several camping ideas for couples. This ranges from choosing a good camping group, selecting the best gear, games to play during camping, and romantic camping ideas among others. Top Camping Ideas for Couples Below are some of the best ideas you can adopt during your next camping trip as a couple. Choose the Best Camping Destination Camping in a good and serene environment is the thin line between a good or bad camping experience as a couple. If the location is not good you will start regretting the moment you set your feet in that place. A good location is one with good views and proper amenities. Camping on the shores of a lake (e.g., Lake Elementaita or Lake Naivaisha), banks of a river (e.g., at River Sagana) or base camping at Mount Kilimanjaro is a very good experience. It gives a couple the chance to sit down and relax to a cool breeze, wonderful nature sounds, and breathtaking views. This is in comparison to camping somewhere by the roadside with nothing to watch but passing cars. This can be very boring and lead to a long night. It can be unsafe too. We can help plan your camping trip with your better half. Fill in the form below and we will reply immediately INQUIRE OR BOOK Camp with Other People Based on personal experience, camping is usually more fun when done in a group of either familiar faces or easy-going people. This allows people to chit-chat and play games, especially around a bonfire. However, this does not mean you cannot camp two people as long as you are okay with it. Carry the Best Camping Gear The camping site will be your home for one or more nights. It is thus very important to ensure that you have carried all the necessary camping gear. Some camping sites provide the necessary gear from utensils, tents, camping mattresses, sleeping bags, or other beddings. Some camping sites don’t provide the above and thus it is very crucial to carry gear. As a couple, you need the best gear to ensure you are comfortable when camping. Instead of going for 2 sleeping bags, we highly suggest you go for a good quality double camping mattress to share. Also, remember to carry other camping necessities like food and lanterns. Most camping sites are secure. However, if you prefer more comfort and safety than what a tent can offer, do car camping. You can transform your vehicle into a camping cabin. To accomplish this, you will need adjustable seats in your vehicle and also carry a car camping mattress (air mattress) that is portable and also comfortable when inflated. This will be placed on the vehicle’s floor or folded seats. A double mattress is better than two sleeping bags for a couple. It is warmer and comfier to sleep while holding each other than everyone tucked like a duck in their sleeping bags. Cars are usually warmer and you can also use the vehicle’s AC to warm up or cool the space. Remember to park your car where you are not blocking other people otherwise you might be woken in the middle of the night to move your vehicle. Engage in Other Activities Too When planning a camping trip, it is highly recommended to incorporate other activities too like hiking, trekking, open water swimming, water rafting, fishing, or anything else that excites you. It would be very boring to spend the whole time at the camping site. Camping sites are usually fun in the evenings (bonfire time) and morning hours (sunrise and chill). Carry Some Games It is always a good idea to carry with you some camping games for couples or groups such as Jenga or Monopoly. This comes in handy especially at the bonfire or when chilling during sunrise or having a sundowner. Closing Remarks The above are some of the best camping ideas for couples you can try out. They are based on personal camping experiences. If executed, camping with your better half will be a wonderful time. You can be more creative and come up with other ideas to make your camping experience more fun. May you have a nice time outside there. Cheers!