Yes, March can be a surprisingly rewarding month to visit Masai Mara—if you know what to expect. While it doesn’t receive the same spotlight as peak migration months like July and August, March offers unique advantages that many seasoned safari-goers and photographers actively seek out. Drawing from expert safari blogs, TripAdvisor forums, and first-hand traveler experiences, here’s why March is an underrated gem for Masai Mara safaris.
1. Wildlife Sightings in March: Abundant Despite the Rains
While March marks the onset of the long rains in Masai Mara, this doesn’t mean wildlife disappears. In fact, the reserve remains teeming with animals, and the fresh vegetation can lead to interesting sightings.
- Big Cats Remain Active: Lions, cheetahs, and leopards continue their predatory routines. Unlike the dry season when animals are concentrated around waterholes, in March, predators roam freely, following abundant prey across the lush plains.
- Elephants, Giraffes, and Resident Wildlife: The Mara’s resident populations, including elephants, giraffes, buffalos, zebras, and hippos, are present year-round. They don’t migrate, ensuring consistent sightings.
- Young Wildlife: Many animals give birth around the start of the rainy season when food is plentiful. This means you’ll likely witness adorable baby animals—from lion cubs to gazelle fawns—creating rich photographic opportunities.
Pro Tip from Guides: “March is when you’ll see intimate predator-prey dynamics with young, inexperienced animals learning to survive. It’s raw nature at its finest.”
2. The Landscape: A Photographer’s Paradise
March transforms Masai Mara into a lush, green paradise. After the dry, dusty months, the landscape bursts with vibrant colors, dramatic skies, and clear air, making it one of the best months for landscape photography.
- Golden Hour Magic: The post-rain atmosphere creates crisp, clear light—perfect for sunrise and sunset shots with deep, saturated colors.
- Less Dust, More Clarity: The rains settle the dust, improving visibility and adding contrast to your wildlife photos.
Travel photographers often say, “March’s skies are alive—layered with clouds that create dramatic backdrops for wildlife portraits.”
3. Fewer Tourists = Private Safari Experiences
One of the biggest advantages of visiting in March is the low tourist density. This means:
- Uncrowded Game Drives: You won’t be jostling for space with dozens of safari vehicles at a lion sighting. Instead, you can enjoy peaceful, intimate encounters with wildlife.
- Exclusive Camps & Lodges: Many luxury camps offer discounted rates due to the lower demand, giving you a premium experience at a fraction of the peak-season cost.
As one traveler shared on a forum: “We had the Mara almost to ourselves in March. No queues, no noisy crowds—just us, our guide, and the wild.”
4. Birdwatching Bliss: Migratory and Resident Birds Galore
For bird enthusiasts, March is exceptional. The Mara becomes a haven for both resident species and migratory birds from Europe and Asia.
- Spot vibrant kingfishers, bee-eaters, rollers, and large raptors like martial eagles.
- Wetlands around the Mara River brim with herons, storks, and flamingos (depending on water levels).
Birders often claim, “March is when the Mara sings—literally. The birdlife explodes in color and sound.”
5. The Weather: Yes, It Rains—But Not All Day
While March signals the start of the long rains, the downpours are usually short, intense bursts in the late afternoon or evening, leaving most of the day clear for game drives.
- Mornings are cool and fresh, perfect for wildlife activity.
- Afternoon showers often enhance the safari experience, bringing dramatic skies and cooler temperatures after the heat.
Most seasoned guides say, “Don’t fear the rain. Some of the best sightings happen just after a downpour when predators emerge, and prey animals are more active.”
✅ Pros of Visiting Masai Mara in March:
- Lush, green landscapes perfect for photography.
- Abundant wildlife, including newborns and active predators.
- Incredible birdwatching opportunities.
- Low tourist numbers = more exclusive safari experiences.
- Lower accommodation rates due to the off-peak season.
⚠️ Considerations:
- Some roads may be muddy or challenging, especially off the main tracks—ensure you have a 4×4 safari vehicle.
- Rains can be unpredictable, but rarely last all day.
- Fewer migration herds, as the Great Migration is in Tanzania’s Serengeti during this period.
What MasaiMara.ke’s Safari Experience Score Rating of March Safaris Tell Us:
Yes, March is a good month for a Masai Mara safari, earning a solid Safari Experience Score of 5 out of 10 according to MasaiMara.ke’s expert analysis. While this score reflects its position below peak months like July and August, it highlights March’s unique appeal for certain safari-goers.
March marks the beginning of the long rains, which can make some roads muddy and less accessible. However, the rain is typically brief, with clear, fresh mornings perfect for game drives and dramatic, cloud-filled skies that photographers love. The landscape transforms into lush green plains, attracting a wide range of wildlife, including resident big cats, elephants, giraffes, and abundant bird species—especially migratory birds.
March also offers the advantage of fewer tourists, creating more private safari experiences and lower accommodation rates. While the Great Migration is absent during this period (as the herds are in Tanzania), the predator-prey dynamics remain intense, and sightings of newborn animals are common due to the abundance of food following the rains.
In summary, March’s Safari Experience Score reflects a balanced safari month—perfect for photographers, bird watchers, and travelers seeking solitude, rich greenery, and dramatic wildlife moments without the peak-season crowds.
Final Verdict: Is March Worth It?
Absolutely. If you’re seeking dramatic scenery, raw wildlife encounters, fewer crowds, and budget-friendly options, March offers an unforgettable Masai Mara safari experience. It’s not the month for guaranteed wildebeest crossings, but it’s the month for those who appreciate nature’s subtler spectacles—lush backdrops, baby animals, predator action, and the thrill of having Africa’s greatest reserve almost to yourself.