Masai Mara, Tanzania Weather and Climate

General & Geography

The Masai Mara (sometimes also spelled Maasai Mara) is a nature reserve with an area of ​​1510 km² in the southwest of Kenya. It borders directly on Tanzania and forms a common ecosystem with the Serengeti National Park.

The lowest point of the Masai Mara is about 1500 meters above sea level, the highest point of the grass plains at about 1650 meters. Exceptions are two mountains in the southeast of the area, which extend to an altitude of up to 2200 meters.

The area lies entirely in the savannah and is traversed by the Mara River. The name goes back to the Maasai people native to the region as well as the term Mara, the latter means “spotted” or “spotted” and describes the isolated buildings in the middle of the seemingly endless grassy landscape. Only on the edges of the Masai Mara and on the river bank is real gallery forest to be found.

The Serengeti (on the Tanzanian side) and Masai Mara (in Kenya) are the scene of one of the greatest natural spectacles on earth, the herd migration of up to two million wildebeest, zebras and antelopes known as the “Great Migration”. They migrate between the two national parks in search of water and new pastureland.

The Masai Mara is the wildlife reserve in Kenya and one of the best safari destinations in the world.

Climate in the Masai Mara

The climate in the Masai Mara is determined by its location in the Kenyan highlands and by the occurrence of two rainy and dry seasons. In this case, the dry season does not mean that there will be no rain at all (as in some areas of South Africa, for example), it is just significantly less frequent than during the rainy season.

The daytime temperatures reach pleasant values ​​of around 24 degrees all year round in the African winter (June / July) and average around 28 degrees during the African summer. The temperatures in the Masai Mara can, however, be felt much higher due to the high UV power, which is why many animals tend to withdraw in the midday sun.

The great rainy season in Kenya begins around the end of March and runs until the end of May. A second, smaller rainy season is usually from the beginning of November to mid- December, although there may be shifts as usual. The rainy season in Kenya usually means only short, sudden but very productive showers. Safaris are usually still possible at this time.

When is the best time to travel to the Maasai Mara?

The best time to travel to the Maasai Mara is mainly in the dry season, as the quality of the animal sightings is now often even higher and the conditions are ideal for taking photos. We therefore particularly recommend the travel time from mid-December to March and June to and including October.

A special highlight for safari fans is of course the great herd migration in the Masai Mara. Depending on the rainfall, the time of the hike can vary greatly. Usually the first herds gather in July in the northern area of ​​the Serengeti (Grumeti) and begin to cross during the month. The best chances of sighting in the Maasai Mara are in August and September, “The return journey” to Tanzania is often started in the course of October.

Temperatures, precipitation, sunshine

Temperatures

The annual average temperature is 18.6 ° C. For comparison: Munich reaches an average of 8.6 ° C, in Berlin it is 9.6 ° C. The warmest month is March (20 ° C), coldest month of July with averages of 17.5 ° C.

Precipitation

The annual precipitation is 1053 mm on 124 days with precipitation. For comparison: In Munich, 967 mm, in Berlin 570 mm, precipitation is measured annually. The April is considered the rainy season, since in this month are expected to more than 175 mm of rainfall. Snowfall is generally not expected in any month.

Sunshine

As our climate table shows, January is the sunniest month with an average of 9 hours of sunshine per day. On average over the year the sun shines 6.9 hours per day. For comparison: In Munich and Berlin, the sun shines an average of 4.7 hours per day throughout the year.

Sights and attractions

The Masai Mara Reserve offers many opportunities to be explored. So the area can be explored from the air with balloon flights to get a great view of the area. For those who prefer to stay on the ground, the guided safari tours with all-wheel-drive vehicles are of course ideal.

Since there are strict rules in the national park itself, off-roading and walking safaris are usually not allowed. The private concession areas on the edge of the Masai Mara, which are mostly operated by high-class lodges and safari companies, are recommended for this. The animal species native to the reserve include steppe elephants and zebras, Masai giraffes, impalas, blue wildebeest, antelopes, hyenas, crowned cranes, hippos, lions and leopards.

Masai Mara weather in March, April and May

Average daily temperatures between 25 ° C and 28 ° C can be expected over the next three months. In Masai Mara it gets warmest in March, but May is a little cooler.

In March, at about 12 days can be expected precipitation in April at about 18 days in May at about 18 days.

In the period from March to May, the sun shines an average of 6 to 8 hours a day. The sunniest weather is in March in Masai Mara, with less sun you will have to get by in May.