Best time to Visit Masai mara and gorillas

Planning a trip to East Africa, few experiences rival the thrill of witnessing the Great migration of wildebeest in the Masai mara or coming face to face with mountain gorillas in the misty forests of Uganda and Rwanda.

Timing your visit, is one of the perfect things to always look at especially if you are looking for a thrilling adventure. To those dreaming of watching the wildebeest cross from Mara River or trek gorillas in the dense forests for an intimate encounter with gorillas, knowing and venturing yourself with the best time to visit completely leaves you with an unforgettable safari experience.

This article explores the best seasons to visit both the Masai mara and gorilla habitants, helping you plan for an ultimate wildlife journey that maximizes your chances for unforgettable encounters.

What is the best time to visit Masai Mara?

Masai mara is one of the top popular tourism destinations in Kenya and it attracts a lot of tourists every year mainly to enjoy the wildebeest migrations. Masai mara is located in the south western parts of Kenya. However, the best time to visit Masai mara depends on the particular activity to participate in. Different people visit a particular destination with an interest in a particular activity.

Tips to consider while selecting the best time to visit Masai Mara

Planning to visit Masai mara contains different measures to look at such as the season, for Kenya it has two seasons. That is dry season and wet season. These seasons appear in each year however best time of visiting the park depends on one’s interest in the activity to carry out as seen below.

Dry season. (July to October, December to February)

The dry season is considered to be the best time to go for a safari in Serengeti as terrains are dry and there is a clear view of the wildlife with the skies very clear.

To those interested in game wildlife viewing, the dry season is the most appropriate time because many animals can be seen. During the dry season is when the great wildebeest migration occurs, many animals usually come out from their habitants seeking for food and waters.

Furthermore, during the wildebeest migration a variety of animals are seen crossing from Serengeti national park and also Masai mara.

 The Great Migration (June to October)

The Great migration attracts a lot of tourists from different areas across the globe making Masai Mara to be recognized as an outstanding destination.

Tourists interested in visiting Masai mara, the best time to consider is generally when the wildebeest migration elapses. During the wildebeest migration, millions of animals cross from one place to another such as the wildebeest, Zebras, antelopes and many more.

The best time to view the great migration is generally from June to October, and many animals can be sighted with in July and August

Wet season. (March to May).

The best to visit Masai mara majorly depends on which particular activity you are interested in carrying out. Remember the park is an all-year-round destination.

For the budget travellers and bird lovers this would be the perfect time to visit the park. This is because many accommodations can be accessed at a low cost since they tend to reduce on their prices.

Adding to that the wet season is an ideal time for bird enthusiasts since its the bleeding and nesting period of various bird species. This means many bird species can be seen within the park.

Interested in viewing the big cats in Mara

Masai mara national reserve is among the popular destinations that are rich with big cats. Some of the big cats to see include lions and leopards.

What is the best time for viewing the big lions with in the Mara

A lot of big cats can be seen during the wildebeest migration period as they be following the wildebeest and zebras to feast on them.

However, even after the departure the migratory wildebeest, you will still be able to spot big cats as there will be residential herbivores living within the park.

BEST TIME TO VISIT MASAI MARA (MONTH BY MONTH)

The best time to visit Masai mara month by month as seen below.

January -February

During these months, the reserve receives hot temperatures (dry season). This is the ideal time for those interested in wildlife viewing since many animals wander from one place to another looking for water sources. Adding to that this is also the best time for bird enthusiasts.

(March, April, May)

In these months the reserve is generally receiving heavy rains. If your interested in wildlife viewing, please don’t visit, however many bird species can be seen since its the bleeding period.

June, July, August, September and October.

This is the best time to visit Masai mara and Kenya at large. These months are generally dry and effective for many activities like the annual wildebeest migration, bird watching and many more.

During these months, the skies are too lush and clear thus easy wildlife viewing.

November to December.

During these months, Masai mara receives a few rains and moderate temperatures implying that wild viewing is very possible.

BEST TIME TO VISIT GORILLAS IN UGANDA.

Gorilla trekking is among the top main activities that is done with in the pearl of Africa.  Gorillas are generally found in two national parks in Uganda that is Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park though it is popularly done with in Bwindi.

Bwindi impenetrable national park is situated with in the south western parts of Uganda and it is one of the top gorilla trekking destinations. The park is a home to half of the world’s population of gorillas thus being divided in many sectors.

The best time to visit Uganda for gorilla trekking mainly depends on one’s interest since the activity can be carried out at any time of the year.

Note

Gorilla trekking can still be carried out from Rwanda in its Volcanoes national park. Rwanda is one of the other re known popular destinations that offer gorilla trekking.

This means that tourists can combine their Masai mara adventure with the gorillas in either Uganda or Rwanda. However, many combine it with gorilla trekking in Uganda since it is very accessible to Kenya and lastly the permit is a bit cheaper compared to that with in Rwanda.

Dry season.

The best time to visit gorillas in Uganda is mainly the dry season (most appropriate time) because of various reasons. During the dry season the vegetations are extremely thinner thus easy viewing of animals. Adding to that, during the dry season there are little rains thus the roads are not slippery thus easy movements of people and also the cars.

The fact that many trekkers trek in the dry season, you should book your permit in advance to reduce inconveniences.

Why visit in the dry season

The trails are less slippery, and less rains thus making trekking with in the rain forests very easy.

Clear weather

Wet season.

The wet season basically runs from (March to May, September to November) and gorilla trekking can still be carried out with in this season. Despite the fact, that the trails are challenging and uncomfortable, the activity can still be carried out.

However, tourists who embark on visiting the park some need to enjoy bird watching and also the less prices that are always attached on the accommodations.

Why visit during the wet season?

Permits can easily be obtained and at times they may be sometimes discounted.

Few tourists thus allowing tourists to enjoy a more intimate experience with gorillas since it is less crowds.

The vegetations are lush and very green thus offering beautiful views for photography.

COMBINING BOTH MASAI MARA AND GORILLAS.

Tourists planning a safari that includes both Masai mara and gorillas, the best time to combine this adventure is mainly during the dry season (July to September).

The best time to combine both Masai mara and gorillas is among the safaris that immerse you deep in the heart of nature and do it the dry season. Tourists interested in combining both Masai mara and gorillas you have over two options for instance you can start your safari in Uganda and later fly to Kenya.

However still you can commence your safari from Kenya and then transfer to Uganda.

This is the most convenient time since you enjoy a variety of experiences at once.

July and September are ideal for wildebeest migration.

The weather is more predictable thus less rains.

 COST OF A GORILLA TREKKING PERMIT.

Before engaging in gorilla trekking, you need to make sure that you must have obtained a gorilla permit. The current price for a gorilla permit in Uganda is $800 for foreign non residents and it can be obtained through booking with a trusted tour operator or book online using UWA website.

While

In Rwanda, the current price of a gorilla permit is roughly $1500 for foreign non residents.

HOW TO OBTAIN A GORILLA TREKKING PERMIT?

There are different measures taken that people use to obtain a gorilla trekking permit. A gorilla trekking permit is a legal card that is issued at any park head quarters in order for one to be allowed to participate in gorilla trekking.

Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda can be obtained through booking online from the Uganda wildlife authority website or book with any trusted tour operator.

However, tourists interested in gorilla trekking are advised generally to book in advance to prevent inconveniences since each day has a limited portion for people who require permits.

In Rwanda, the steps to obtain a gorilla permit are completely the same to as in Uganda. Acquiring a permit is either through online (Rwanda Development Board) or either book with a trusted tour operator.

NB

Its very advisable to book with trusted tour operators, because your permit can easily be secured and in case of any changes, you can easily change with time.

GORILLA TREKKING RULES AND REGULATIONS.

The following are some of the rules and regulations to follow during gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking rules and regulations are put up mainly to ensure maximum protection and conservation for these endangered species and they include.

You must be 15 years and above in order for you to be allowed t participate in gorilla trekking.

Always follow the rules and regulations assigned to you by your ranger guide.

Any one suffering from a contagious disease especially flue, cough are not allowed to visit the gorillas.

Do not smoke, drink or eat anything while you are with the gorillas.

Keep your voice low especially when you are close to these gorillas.

Only 1 hour is offered for tourists to spend with the gorillas as you see them feed, play or spend time with others in the forest.

Do not put on flash photography while you are taking photos.

Always keep a distance of 7m while you are with the gorillas. This is done to ensure safety because gorillas are naturally wild animals they can change at any time. Lastly don’t make direct contact with them.

Do not leave rubbish in the park, foreign items with in the park.

There are many gorilla trekking rules and regulations to follow while in the forest.  However, the following above are some of them.

The best time to carry out a trip to Masai mara and gorillas generally depends on a particular activity to participate in. This will allow you to enjoy proper planning as you enjoy the adventure from the iconic wild beest to the great apes in their natural habitant.

The great apes safari packages in Uganda and Rwanda

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