Planning a safari is more than booking flights and tents. For most tourists, it is about finding the right timing to spot Africa’s legendary big five animals, the lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino, in their natural habitat. At Governors’ Camp in Kenya’s Masai Mara, we’ve been guiding guests for over five decades, and our first-hand experience helps us not only advise on when to see the big five in Africa, but why each month is unique.
Our Big Five safari sightings calendar walks you through the seasons month by month, recording the shifting weather, wildlife, and landscapes that make the Masai Mara an excellent year-round destination.
January is the height of summer in the Masai Mara. The grasslands are green and short after the rains, creating excellent visibility for spotting predators. Lions are often seen hunting young plains game, while cheetahs and leopards take advantage of the open conditions. Elephants are plentiful, with bulls in musth shaking fruiting Warburgia trees. It’s also a fine time for buffalo, as the lush grasses keep herds close to the Marsh areas. While rhinos remain elusive, January offers good chances of leopard sightings along the forest edges. If you’re after big five wildlife, newborn calves, or calving season, this is a rewarding month. The Mara is alive with baby impalas, warthogs, and zebra foals, all of which draw in predators and make for dramatic game drives.
Warm mornings and golden grass define February. It’s a month of abundance, with elephants often giving birth and family herds seen passing right through camp. Lions of the Marsh Pride have playful cubs, while buffalo herds calve in large numbers across the Bila Shaka plains. Leopards are regularly seen poised on tree limbs, and cheetahs are busy training their young to hunt Thomson’s gazelles. Rhino sightings remain rare in the Mara, but with fewer visitors in February, encounters feel especially intimate. For birders, ground hornbills and migratory species add colour, making February part of the Big Five safari seasons where both mammals and birdlife thrive.
March is quieter in terms of visitors, but rich in wildlife drama. Afternoon rains revive the grasses and bring wildflowers into bloom, while the Musiara Marsh fills with water, drawing elephants and buffalo in great numbers. This is also the time when hippos calve and predators like lions and leopards are seen with cubs. Serval kittens and young hyenas add to the abundance of life. For those wondering about Big Five sightings during this season, March offers exactly that: lush landscapes, plenty of babies, and rewarding predator action.
April is part of the long rains. Showers often fall overnight, leaving mornings cool, fresh, and perfect for game drives. Elephants thrive on the new grasses, while lions and cheetahs work harder to hunt in the long cover. It’s also the start of mating season for many plains game, which in turn sustains predator populations. Guests often ask if April is a good time to see the Big Five, and while it’s harder work, sightings are intimate, landscapes are vibrant, and the bush feels alive with birds, insects, and butterflies. This is the Green Season at its most enchanting.
May offers warm days and long, lush grass across the plains. Lions of the Marsh Pride often have young cubs, and hunting scenes can involve hippos, eland, and buffalo. With cheetahs thriving on the gazelle herds, and leopards still seen in the woodlands, it’s an excellent month for predators. Buffalo and elephant herds dominate the marshes, with calves at heel. Giraffes with young are common visitors around camp. This makes May a strong candidate for spotting the Big Five month by month travellers, particularly those wanting to see the cycle of new life in the Mara.
By June, the rains taper off and clear skies return. It’s warm during the day, with starlit skies at night. Elephants gather in impressive herds, and lions stay close to Governors’ Camp as they hunt warthogs and topi. Buffalo herds are seen in the Marsh areas, while leopards and cheetahs continue to deliver excellent sightings. The wildebeest rut begins late in the month, with males fighting dramatically for territory and females. Guests often ask, “Is June a good time to see the Big Five?”. The answer is yes. With so many elephants, big cats, and buffalo on show, June marks the beginning of the best safari months by park experiences.
July brings cool days and the grand arrival of the Great Migration. Wildebeest herds pour into the Mara and begin dramatic crossings of the Mara River, facing crocodiles, lions, and fast currents. This is the best month to see lions, elephants and buffalo. Lions of the Marsh Pride stay together, cheetahs hunt regularly, and leopards are seen in the riverine forests. Buffalo herds swell to 500 strong. For many, this is the best time to see the Big Five, and it’s easy to understand why.
August is a time for cool mornings and warm afternoons, and the migration is in full swing. Wildebeest crossings are a daily occurrence, sometimes even being spotted from Governors’ Camp itself. Elephants, buffalo, and giraffes are numerous, and predators take advantage of the endless supply of prey. Lions hunt almost every night, leopards prowl in the woodlands, and cheetahs go after the Thomson’s gazelles. This is peak July to October safari big five country: expect dramatic predator-prey drama and a landscape bursting with life.
September brings scattered showers and colourful wildflowers on the plains. The migration is still very much present, with wildebeests and zebras covering the grasslands. River crossings still take place, though the crocodiles are by now well fed and less aggressive. Elephants are frequent camp visitors, buffalo herds graze in the area around the Marsh, and lions are in prime hunting condition. Cheetahs and leopards are stalking, and guests are sometimes treated to dramatic ambushes along the croton thickets. It is a peak of the African safari calendar of wildlife, and every corner of the Mara is teeming with life.
October begins dry and windy, bringing fiery sunsets, before the rains return late in the month. The migration herds are still present but begin moving south, meaning daily crossings are possible well into October. For predators, this is an excellent month: lions hunt wildebeest, impala, and warthog calves; cheetahs thrive on newborn antelope; and leopards find plenty of prey. Elephants are back in camp, feeding on fruiting Warburgia trees. With shorter grasses, smaller species like serval cats and bat-eared foxes are more visible, adding variety to your drives. October balances the spectacle of migration with the intimacy of the green season, making it one of the best times for safari in Africa month by month.
November starts hot and dry, before dramatic thunderstorms announce the short rains. With the return of showers, the Mara blooms with flame lilies and fireball lilies, while grasses revive. The wildebeest herds begin their long trek south, but the Mara remains full of life. Elephants switch diets to bark and fruit, buffalo herds thrive, and predators remain active. It’s also calving season for many species, adding to the drama. For those weighing up Green Season vs Dry season, November offers a little of both: lush green scenery, plenty of prey, and fewer vehicles.
December is a festive time in the Mara. The short rains leave a lush green flush on the grasslands, and scattered showers settle the dust and drop temperatures in the evenings. Elephants are again showing in numbers, crossing the Mara River by day, and buffalo and giraffe herds are frequent around camp. Lions feed on warthog and antelope, leopards are still firm in the forests, and cheetahs still do well on the plains. With impalas rutting noisily, warthogs defending their burrows, and newborn calves across the plains, December encapsulates the spirit of the Big Five safari animals amidst a lush, festive setting.
The truth is, there’s no single best safari month, every month brings a different kind of magic. Whether you’re drawn to the drama of river crossings, the serenity of the green season, or the joy of newborn wildlife, the Masai Mara delivers. If you’re wondering where to see the big five in Masai Mara Governors’ Camp, our team is here to help.
Ready to start planning? Get in touch with us today, and let’s make your big five safari seasons unforgettable.
