Safari Planning, Travel Guides & Practical AdviceMasai Mara weather is mild by day, cool at night and split by two rainy seasons. Typical monthly highs run from about 20 to 26°C and lows from about 10 to 14°C, because the reserve sits at roughly 1,500 to 2,100 m above sea level. The long rains fall roughly from March to May and peak in April, the short rains come roughly in November and December, and June to October is the main safari season.
This guide sets out the Masai Mara climate month by month, explains the Masai Mara rainy season and the altitude effect, and lists what to pack at each time of year. It is part of our Masai Mara safari guide. We found no single official climate record for the reserve itself, so the figures here come from two published sources and are indicative, not exact.
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Masai Mara weather at a glance
| Topic | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Climate type | Semi-arid, with two rainy seasons a year |
| Long rains | Roughly March to May, wettest in April |
| Short rains | Roughly November to December |
| Driest months | June to October, though a shower is still possible |
| Elevation | Roughly 1,500 to 2,100 m |
| Typical monthly highs | About 20 to 26°C |
| Typical monthly lows | About 10 to 14°C |
| Annual rainfall | About 800 mm in the east of the reserve, rising to about 1,200 mm in the west |
| Coolest months | June to August, with July the coolest |
Masai Mara temperature and the altitude effect
The Mara lies close to the equator, but altitude keeps it cooler than most first-time visitors expect. Published sources give an overall range of about 12 to 30°C, although most days sit well inside that: highs of 20 to 26°C and lows of 10 to 14°C.
Mornings are the cold part of the day. In the Narok record, July lows fall to about 10°C, while afternoons from June to October reach 22 to 25°C. A dawn game drive and an afternoon one can feel like different climates, so dress in layers you can peel off as the sun climbs. If you add the optional Masai Mara hot-air balloon flight (USD 550 per person), you will be out at the start of the day, so keep your fleece and gloves to hand.
Whatever the length of your stay, you will meet that morning chill in the cooler months. A short Mara trip such as our 3-Day Maasai Mara Roar & Roam Safari costs from USD 1,420 per person, based on a midrange lodge in low season with two sharing. Prices depend on season, group size and lodge choice.
Which Masai Mara weather suits your safari
- Driest tracks and the main season: June to October. Mornings are cold and afternoons are warm. Our guide to the best time to visit the Masai Mara covers these months in detail.
- Green landscapes: the long and short rains turn the plains green and the tracks muddy. Our guide to the Masai Mara low season weighs the pros and cons.
- The wildebeest migration: the herds follow the rain and the grass, not the calendar, so timing shifts from year to year. Our 5 days Masai Mara Migration Safari starts from USD 2,750 per person, on the same midrange, low-season, two-sharing basis. For the wider picture across Kenya, see our guide to the best time to visit Kenya for safari.
The Masai Mara rainy season
The Masai Mara rainy season arrives twice a year. Sources disagree slightly on the dates, so treat them as a range, not a fixed calendar.
Long rains: March to May
TourRadar lists March, April and May as the long rains, with April the wettest month. Governor’s Camp says they typically begin in mid-March and continue through May. Wikipedia describes about six to eight weeks of long rains in April and May. A sensible plan is to expect wet weather from mid-March to May, heaviest in April. The plains turn green, tracks turn muddy and drives are slower.
Short rains: November and December
Wikipedia puts the short rains at about four weeks in November and December, and TourRadar names the same two months. They are lighter than the long rains: Narok averages 65 mm in November and 75 mm in December, against 150 mm in April.
Drier months: June to October
TourRadar lists June to October, and also January and February, as the drier months, with some showers still possible. In the Narok record, July is the driest month at 25 mm, and August, September and October each get about 30 mm. Tracks are firmer, so drives move faster.
Rains vary from year to year
Do not treat any start date as fixed. Governor’s Camp recorded 109 mm of rain in February 2026, when the rains arrived early after a very dry January. If your dates fall near the edge of a season, plan for either kind of weather.
Two ways to see the Mara
- 3-Day Maasai Mara Roar & Roam Safari: a short break in the Mara for travellers with limited time. From USD 1,420 per person (midrange, low season, two sharing).
- 5 days Masai Mara Migration Safari: more days on the plains for travellers who want the migration. From USD 2,750 per person (midrange, low season, two sharing).
Masai Mara climate month by month
The table sets two sources side by side. Temperatures are typical daily highs and lows.
| Month | Mara high / low (°C) | Mara rain (mm) | Narok rain (mm) | Plains, roads and wildlife |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23 / 12 | 95 | 75 | Generally drier, though showers are possible. |
| February | 25 / 12 | 100 | 70 | Often drier, but the rains can start early, as in 2026. |
| March | 24 / 13 | 145 | 90 | Long rains begin, from mid-March at Governor’s Camp. Tracks start to soften. |
| April | 22 / 14 | 210 | 150 | Wettest month. Green plains, muddy tracks, slower drives. |
| May | 22 / 13 | 155 | 95 | Rains continue, then ease. Plains stay green. |
| June | 20 / 13 | 95 | 35 | Start of the main safari season. Cool mornings. |
| July | 20 / 11 | 60 | 25 | Coolest and driest month in both sources. Warm layers for dawn drives. |
| August | 22 / 12 | 80 | 30 | Dry. Main safari season. |
| September | 23 / 13 | 95 | 30 | Dry, with warmer afternoons. |
| October | 23 / 14 | 100 | 30 | Last of the dry months before the short rains. |
| November | 23 / 13 | 155 | 65 | Short rains begin. Showers and fresh green growth. |
| December | 23 / 13 | 115 | 75 | Short rains continue. Showers are likely. |
How to read it: the Mara columns are the published figures of one tour operator, TourRadar, which does not name the dataset behind them. Their rainfall adds up to roughly 1,400 mm a year, high next to the 800 to 1,200 mm usually quoted for the reserve, so treat that column as generous. The Narok column uses 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Narok town, which sits east of the reserve at about 1,827 m, higher and drier than the Mara plains. It totals 775 mm a year and works as a cross-check, not as Mara rainfall. What the two agree on is the shape of the year: wettest in April, driest from June to October, and a second rise in November and December.
What to pack for each Masai Mara season
| Time of year | What to pack |
|---|---|
| June to October | Fleece and warm jacket for dawn drives, a scarf, hat and gloves for the coldest mornings, sunscreen and sunglasses, light layers for the afternoon |
| March to May | Waterproof jacket, quick-drying trousers, closed shoes with good grip, a waterproof bag for cameras and phones |
| November and December | Light rain jacket, layers, closed shoes, a dry bag |
| January and February | Light layers, a sun hat, a compact rain jacket in case the rains start early |
Two items suit every month: a warm layer for the morning and sun protection for midday. Several light layers work better than one heavy jacket, because the gap between a dawn start and a warm afternoon is wide.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in the Masai Mara?
Mild days and cool nights. Typical monthly highs are about 20 to 26°C and lows about 10 to 14°C, and the reserve has two rainy seasons a year. Annual rainfall runs from about 800 mm in the east to about 1,200 mm in the west.
When is the Masai Mara rainy season?
The long rains fall roughly from March to May and peak in April. The short rains fall roughly in November and December. Start dates move from year to year, so use these months as a guide.
Is the Masai Mara cold at night?
Yes, especially from June to August. Lows are typically 10 to 14°C, and published sources give an overall range of about 12 to 30°C. Bring a fleece and a warm jacket for early starts.
What is the driest month in the Masai Mara?
July is the driest month in both tables above, at 60 mm in the operator figures and 25 mm in the Narok record. June to October is the drier stretch overall.
Can I go on safari in the Masai Mara in April?
Yes, but April is the wettest month, with 210 mm in the operator figures and 150 mm in the Narok record. Expect green plains, muddy tracks, slower drives and some showers. Our guide to the Masai Mara low season sets out what that means in practice.
How hot does the Masai Mara get?
Typical monthly highs stay between about 20 and 26°C. Because the Mara sits near the equator, the midday sun is strong even on cool days, so bring sunscreen and a hat.
Does the weather change from year to year?
Yes. Governor’s Camp recorded 109 mm of rain in February 2026, a month when the rains arrived early after a very dry January. Ask us about your dates and we will tell you what to expect.
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