Masai Mara in March: The Honest 2027 Guide
The Masai Mara in March costs between KES 315,500 ($2,425) and KES 1,220,000 ($9,385) per person sharing for a 5-day trip at $100/day park fees. March is the month most people avoid, and that’s exactly why it rewards those who come. Early March (first two weeks) is often still dry and warm. Late March is when the long rains arrive and the landscape transforms into the greenest version of itself. Camp rates are among the lowest of the year. Lions move onto rocky kopjes and warm road surfaces to escape the damp grass. Hippos calve. Wildflowers bloom. The Musiara Marsh expands and draws elephants and buffalo in numbers you don’t see in the dry months.
Masai Mara in March Costs (2027/2028)
All-inclusive prices per person sharing, based on two people in a private 4×4 Land Cruiser.
5-Day All-Inclusive March Rates (Per Person Sharing)
Package Tier | Camps (Nakuru + Mara) | Total (KES) | Total (USD) |
Budget | Lake Nakuru Lodge / Talek Bush | KES 315,500 | ~$2,425 |
Mid-Range | Zebra Plains / Ashnil Mara | KES 485,000 | ~$3,730 |
Luxury | The Cliff Nakuru / Mara Serena | KES 780,000 | ~$6,000 |
Luxury Plus | Great Rift Lodge / Angama Mara | KES 1,220,000 | ~$9,385 |
Book Now | Current Rates |
Note: March regular-season rates with $100/day park fees. For a luxury safari upgrade, request a custom quote.
What’s Covered in the Price?
- Vehicle. Private 4×4 Safari Land Cruiser for the entire stay. A 4×4 with low-range is mandatory in March — minivans get stuck.
- Guide. TRA-licensed guide.
- Park Fees. All 2027 Mara fees paid at the gate (cash USD/KES, or card/M-Pesa). Pre-payment through KAPS office in Nairobi. For KWS parks (Nakuru), fees via eCitizen.
- Flights. Masai Mara flying packages one-way return flight to Nairobi.
- Meals. Full board, 3 meals daily.
- Evacuation. AMREF Flying Doctors emergency air evacuation insurance.
Excluded. Kenya eTA (~$30), tips (KES 3,000/day for guide), alcohol and soft drinks, hot air balloon ($450–$500), international flights.
A lot of operators steer people away from March because of the rain. There are good reasons for that, but there are also good reasons to come anyway. The Mara in March is the most beautiful it looks all year, and the wildlife doesn’t stop because it’s raining. What changes is the roads, the light, and where the animals choose to sit. If you’re flexible about weather and willing to accept that a morning shower might turn your drive into a mud extraction, March gives you the cheapest, emptiest, and most photogenic version of the reserve.
The 5-Day Itinerary
Travel Window | Weather & Roads | Safari Experience |
Early March (Weeks 1–2) | Dry, warm, and clear; firm dirt roads. | High-quality game viewing similar to February; lower prices. |
Late March (Weeks 3–4) | Long rains arrive; muddy black cotton soil. | Emerald green landscapes; dramatic lighting; lowest camp rates. |
Easter Week (Varies) | Seasonal rain risk remains. | Brief spike in local crowds and accommodation prices. |
Day 1: Nairobi to Lake Nakuru
Early departure. Afternoon tracking black rhinos and flamingos at Nakuru. Stay at your selected lodge.
Day 2: Nakuru to Masai Mara
5-hour drive through the Great Rift Valley floor. The last two hours can be rough if rain has hit the road. Arrive for a sunset drive. See the section below for where to find lions in March — the rain changes their behaviour. Stay at your chosen Mara camp.
Day 3–4: Full Days in the Mara
Two full days of game drives. See the “What to Expect” section below for what March delivers — kopje lions, hippo calves, storks, wildflowers. If rain is heavy, your guide adjusts routes to avoid the worst black cotton soil. Overcast skies create soft, even light all day, which means photographers can shoot at noon with none of the harsh shadows that ruin dry-season midday images. If your camp has conservancy access, add a night drive.
Day 5: Departure
Skip the sunrise drive if rain hit overnight. Black cotton soil can turn a 20-minute drive to the gate into a 2-hour winching operation, and the automated system doesn’t care about weather delays. Be at the gate by 9:30 AM. Fly back to Nairobi via Masai Mara flying packages.
What to Expect in March
Early March and late March are two different trips. The first two weeks are often still dry and warm, with short grass, firm roads, and game viewing that’s close to February quality at lower prices. Late March is when the long rains typically arrive and the landscape changes fast. The timing is unpredictable though. Some years the rains hold off until the last week. Other years they start on Day 1 and the reserve is saturated within a week. If your dates are flexible, aim for the first half. If they’re not, come anyway and bring waterproof gear.
When the rains do arrive, the Mara River can breach its banks and the Musiara Marsh expands far beyond its usual borders. Small drainage gullies that are dry most of the year become rivers overnight. This transforms the landscape but also changes where the animals go and what you see.
Big cats move onto the kopjes (granite outcrops) and the elevated centre-lines of the dirt tracks to avoid the damp grass. The Isiukiai Kopjes are the best place to find lions stretched across warm rock in the morning sun. In the dry months they hide in thickets, but in March they’re out on display. It’s the best month for the classic “lion on a rock” photograph. The Marsh Pride can become harder to reach though. Governors’ Camp reported in March 2027 that the pride retreated deep into the Musiara Marsh where saturated ground made vehicle access impossible. Other prides in drier terrain stayed accessible.
Hippos calve in March, with the newborns appearing in the river pools and along the flooded margins. Serval kittens and young hyenas show up alongside the big cat cubs. Wildflowers bloom across the plains after the first rains, creating colour that doesn’t exist in the dry months.
The flooding draws African Open-billed Storks in large numbers. They congregate wherever shallow pools form, feeding on aquatic snails with their specialised gap-shaped beak. Watching hundreds descend on the expanded marsh is something you only see in March. The rain also forces insects out of the ground, which triggers a feeding frenzy among ground-dwelling birds like the Yellow-throated Longclaw. The Madagascar Pond Heron in white breeding plumage can be found at Musiara if you ask your guide to look for it specifically.
And the air smells different. When rain hits the Ol-leleshwa (camphor bush), the scent fills the vehicle. Guides who’ve worked every month of the year will tell you March is the most fragrant the Mara gets.
Species / Area | March Behavior Shift | Best Viewing & Photography Tip |
Lions & Big Cats | Move onto warm rocky kopjes to avoid wet grass. | Head to Isiukiai Kopjes for clean “lion on a rock” photos. |
Musiara Marsh | Floods and expands significantly beyond its banks. | Draws massive herds of elephants, buffalo, and unique storks. |
Hippos & Prey | Peak calving season begins along flooded margins. | Look for newborn calves and cubs near river pools. |
Advice for March Visitors
- See the vehicle note in the price section. A 10-minute rain shower at 8 AM can turn a dry road into impassable black cotton clay within minutes.
- See Day 5 about the departure morning. The 12-hour park ticket system doesn’t accept weather as an excuse for a late exit.
- Camp rates in March are among the lowest of the year. Camps that charge $800/night in August drop to $300–$400. Some offer free night promotions. All camps are still open in March — closures happen in April and May.
- When Easter falls in March, expect a brief spike in prices and visitor numbers. Avoid Easter week if your dates are flexible.
- Mosquitoes increase with the rains. Pack long sleeves, DEET-based repellent, and use your mosquito net every night. Start antimalarials before travel as directed by your doctor.
- Humidity hits 80%+. If you send laundry to be washed, it comes back dried over charcoal and smelling of smoke. Bring a dry bag for clean clothes.
- Tsetse flies are active in the riverine woodlands and drawn to dark blue and black clothing. Wear olive or khaki.
- Army ants (siafu) flood out of their tunnels during rain. You’ll see living ropes of millions crossing the road. Watch for the Thrush Nightingale following the column to snatch flushed insects.
- Siana Gate processes tickets faster than Sekenani or Talek.
- Verify your operator on the KATO directory before paying a deposit. A Masai Mara booking through a registered operator protects you from vehicle substitution — in March, the difference between a proper 4×4 and a cheaper vehicle can mean getting stuck for hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is March a good time to visit?
If you’re comfortable with weather uncertainty, yes. Early March can be as good as February. Late March is a gamble on roads but delivers the Mara’s most beautiful landscape and the lowest prices. See the sections above.
How much does a March safari cost?
Between KES 315,500 ($2,425) and KES 1,220,000 ($9,385) per person sharing for 5 days. More options on our Masai Mara packages page.
Does it rain all day?
No. Rain typically comes as afternoon thunderstorms or overnight showers. Mornings are often clear. Some years March is drier than expected. See our best time to visit Masai Mara guide.
Is a 4×4 mandatory?
Yes, more than any other month. Every private safari we run uses a 4×4 with low-range capability.
Can I see the Big Five?
Yes. Lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalo are all present and active. Rhinos depend on your guide’s knowledge of the current locations. The wildebeest migration is in Tanzania, but resident wildlife is here year-round. See our Masai Mara migration page for July–October timing.
The Mara at Its Quietest and Greenest
Rain on the canvas roof of your tent at 3 AM. A lion roaring from the kopje above the river at dawn. The crack of thunder over the Oloololo Escarpment at 4 PM, followed by 20 minutes of heavy rain and then silence. Hippos grunting in water that wasn’t there yesterday. March is the Mara at its most alive, and you share it with almost nobody.
Most guests pair March in the Mara with Lake Nakuru for rhinos and flamingos. Our 3-day and 4-day trips focus on the Mara alone. The 5-day adds Nakuru. The 6-day Amboseli circuit adds Kilimanjaro views. The Mara-Amboseli-Nakuru loop covers all three. Browse everything on our Masai Mara packages page.
Ready to start? Fill out our booking form at Masaimara.co.ke below here and tell me your March dates. I’ll tell you whether early or late March works better.
This guide was authored by David Njunge, a TRA-licensed safari guide with over 10 years of experience, and edited by Cecilia Wambui, a travel consultant with a degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management.
Related Reading:
- Masai Mara in January
- Best Time to Visit Masai Mara
- Wildebeest Migration Kenya
- Masai Mara Migration
- Honeymoon Safari Masai Mara
- Photography Safari Masai Mara
- All Inclusive Masai Mara Safari
- Masai Mara Amboseli Nakuru Safari
- 6 Days Masai Mara Amboseli Safari
- 5 Days Masai Mara Safari
- 4 Days Masai Mara Safari
- 3 Days Masai Mara Safari
- Luxury Safari Masai Mara
- Masai Mara Packages
- Masai Mara Flying Packages
- Masai Mara Booking
- Masai Mara Entrance Gates
- Official KWS Park Fee Portal
- Kenya Wildlife Service
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