The March Experience
March in the Masai Mara is a completely different safari experience, marked by the onset of the rainy season. These first rains sweep across the land, converting the dry season plains into rich green pastures, perfect for witnessing the wildebeest migration. The savannah explodes with fresh greens and gold , a stunning canvas on which to watch the animal kingdom LIVE! This seasonal change brings an abundance of food and water, resulting in a baby boom among many species, including newborn zebras and gazelles, making it a particularly fulfilling time for nature lovers.
Daytime temperatures are cooler, and evenings enjoyable, making safari adventures even more comfortable. The rains tend to be quite short and late afternoon or evening, leaving most of the day open for hiking. They compose dramatic skies, lending an almost cinematic flair to the experience. The rains do make certain roads mucky and tough going, necessitating 4×4 safari vehicles.
March is a spectacular month for birding in the Masai Mara national game reserve. Migratory birds arrive in their full breeding colors, painting the skies and trees with vibrant hues. European rollers, white storks, and the Amur falcon are common sights, flocking to the rain-refreshed flowering trees. For birders, it’s a chance to witness migration like never before, enhancing the overall wildlife safaris experience.
The predator-prey action continues to be one of the highlights of the March experience, with naïve young animals navigating their world while predators capitalize on this abundance. This produces captivating animalistic moments, whether it’s a lion pursuing a group or a cheetah educating its offspring to become hunters. During this active month, visitors will find a more peaceful safari experience, with fewer crowds and less-crowded game drives, allowing for close encounters with the exceptional wildlife and stunning landscape.
Wildlife Encounters
March in the Masai Mara highlights the diversity of its thriving ecosystem, giving you the ultimate close-up view in following predator-prey dynamics. With the rainy season just beginning to invigorate the landscape, the wildlife activity is in full swing, making it a thrill to explore this renowned safari destination.
Big cats are a bonus, with lions, cheetahs, and leopards getting in on the prey action. The Marsh Pride, for example, was extremely active, and we witnessed hunts – one involving a buffalo carcass. Cheetahs were a common sight, some of them in exclusive territories. Although leopards escaped us in March, their absence underscored the wild’s uncertainty during the migration season.
Birthing season is in full swing, so you have the chance to see new-born wildebeest, zebras, and antelope taking their first steps. This multitude of new-borns draws in predators, like a black-backed jackal carrying away the head of a baby impala. These raw moments showcase the fragile nature of survival in the Mara, especially during this time when the Masai Mara weather is shifting.
Fresh grasslands attract herbivores such as elephants, who can consume food for 80% of their day. Their presence always means dramatic encounters with predators lurking in the wings. Heart-pounding hunting sequences play out as grazers blindly wander into peril, offering a peek into the circle of life.
For herpetological enthusiasts, March is a treat. Migratory birds like those surrounding Musiara Marsh enhance the diversity, as do threatened raptors and terrestrial species including black-bellied bustards. The swaying tall grasses and golden hues of the plains can make some birds harder to detect.
Every now and again visitors might run across some rare species. A black rhino was spotted by our camp, eventually heading toward a crossing point. These moments remind us just how diverse and unpredictable the Masai Mara can be, even on one visit.
A Photographer’s Dream
March in the Masai Mara is a photographer’s dream come true. Renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and rich wildlife, this reserve takes on an added allure during the wet season, with lush greenery, awe-inspiring skies, and reduced crowds. The Masai Mara weather during this time enhances the experience, making it ideal for wildlife safaris.
I love the golden hour in March, with its soft light bathing the lush grasslands in warm hues. Sunrises offer an opportunity for incredible photography, with the horizon illuminated across misty plains and acacia trees. Perfect for framing the Mara’s idyllic tranquility and capturing the essence of this top wildlife park.
Wildlife encounters in March are a stunner. These predators are often active during the cooler hours of the day, so you’ll have the opportunity to record dramatic hunts or quiet moments with their prides. March is a period when most young animals, from lion cubs to baby antelopes, discover their immediate environment, providing once in a lifetime, heartwarming images of playful frolicking.
The wet season is a photographer’s dream, with life sprouting everywhere, competing against the backdrop of brooding skies. For bird photographers, the Masai Mara’s spectacular variety embraces over 450 species recorded, from lilac-breasted rollers to eagles. These colorful birds inject a welcome dose of variety into any portfolio.
Another benefit of a March visit is fewer tourists than during the peak season months. That translates into unobstructed vistas and more serene moments to frame the shutter. Whether it’s the majestic outline of a lion stalking its prey or the vibrant colors of a Maasai warrior’s attire, there are endless photo opportunities waiting.
Of course, those long days and action-packed conditions need to be prepared for. Additional gear storage is key to missing a moment as there’s so much to capture.
Planning Your Safari
March in the Masai Mara signals the beginning of the vibrant green season, saturating the region with verdant life and periodic showers. Here’s how to pack for comfort. Waterproof jackets and strong, closed-toe shoes will assist you on wet, rain-soaked trails. Lightweight, breathable clothes are handy to remain cool as the temperatures can swing. Remember sunscreen, a wide brimmed hat and a refillable water bottle to keep you protected and hydrated under the equatorial sun.
Choosing the perfect place to stay really can make all the difference. Most lodges and camps in the Masai Mara are great, even in the low season. Selections like the Mara Triangle or private conservancies such as Olare Orok and Naboisho strike a good balance between comfort and closeness to wildlife. Seek out lodgings that are well-drained and warm inside, especially during the wet season when temperatures can drop.
While March doesn’t fall under the Great Wildebeest Migration, which peaks from July to October for the Mara River crossings or August to November for wider migration viewing, the Masai Mara remains amazing all year long! Massive herds of elephants, buffalo, zebras, and giraffes roam the plains, alongside lions, cheetahs, and leopards. It’s an excellent time for birders, with both migrants and colorful residents in profusion.
Guided tours with professional safari operators are best for wildlife safaris. They know where to find the wildlife, even in the green season, and are trained to deal with the inconveniences that rain can bring, like muddy roads or flooded rivers, which may intensify in April and May.
March is in the low season and it can be a great time to travel with fewer tourists around and some tremendous accommodation and safari package specials. This can give you a more intimate experience, at back at a lower rate. Remember that certain regions remain inaccessible should rains become more severe later in the season.
Beyond The Vehicle
March in the Masai Mara means getting to connect beyond the game drives. With the rains of the rainy season painting the land into a green paradise, it’s time to embrace the finer nuances of the flora and fauna, and the culture of the land. Walking safaris let you literally step into the lushness. The long rains bring the bush back to life in a vibrant way, making it an excellent wildlife viewing opportunity as smaller wild animals become more apparent. Guides, meanwhile, will highlight bugs, snakes, and flowers that are all too easily missed from the vehicle. You may catch dung beetles in action or dik-diks scurrying across the brush. This reduced speed fosters a richer appreciation of the interconnectedness of life in the Mara.
March is great for bird watching as well. The rains bring migratory species to areas such as the Musiara Marsh, where it’s a peak time for spotting rare birds. Open-billed storks, especially, are encountered in awe-inspiring swarmings, their shadows punctuating both dawn and dusk. With expert guides to help you spot other species , from kingfishers to bee-eaters , it adds a rewarding layer to your jaunt in this renowned safari destination.
Visiting a Maasai village provides a cultural touch to your trip. The Maasai have a deep relationship with the land, and March’s rains represent new life and nourishment for man and beast. Hanging out with the villagers offers glimpses into their culture, from beadwork to their eco-conscious herding style, both attached to the pace of the Masai Mara region.
Night safaris expose a whole new Masai Mara that many never lay eyes upon. Darkness releases the night-time creatures, including the aardvarks and civets. Predators such as lions and leopards are nocturnal hunters. Nothing like being out there soaking it all in, from the owl hoots to the stirrings of unseen forest-dwelling beasts, making it an unforgettable experience in this top wildlife park.
March is a transitional month, leading into the vibrant wet season that heralds the arrival of young calves and the great migration herds. As the grasslands flourish, the Masai Mara transforms, offering a daily wildlife spectacle that captivates many travelers throughout the year.
Is March For You?
The often forgotten wonder of a Masai Mara March! It’s a month that straddles both tranquillity and natural beauty with some fascinating wildlife action, perfect for those after a less crowded, but equally rewarding safari.
One of the best things about visiting in March is the lack of tourists. With less cars in the reserve, the safari feels more personal. The more hushed atmosphere enables you to truly sink in to the wilderness, be it marveling at a lion luxuriating in the sun or giraffes eating quietly. This off season carries the added advantage of cheaper hotel rates , a smart bargain for budget travelers who don’t want to compromise on quality.
March’s landscapes are especially captivating. With the arrival of the long rains, the reserve comes alive with vibrant green. Though the rains will at times muddify some roads and make them a bit more difficult to traverse, they’re worth it. Winged skies and emerald landscapes serve as breathtaking photo backdrops. Wildlife encounters are equally breathtaking, as juvenile animals endeavor to master survival skills and hungry predators pursue their next meal. For fans of predator-prey dynamics, March is all the action you can handle.
Birders will love March as well. The reserve becomes a sanctuary for birds, with the chance to see anything from vibrant kingfishers to the regal secretary bird. This diversity in birdlife adds an additional layer of discovery for nature lovers.
March weather is to be prepared for. Mornings tend to be chilly, so dress in layers. By mid-morning it gets hot and the afternoons are frequently punctuated by thundershowers. This changeability makes the scenery more dramatic, and keeps the air bracing , all part of the enchantment.
Although game does disperse around this time, the iconic species – elephants, hippos and zebras – are still easy to find. This scattering allows guests to discover various parts of the reserve without congestion, increasing that feeling of being exclusive.
