Masai Mara Weather and Wildlife May 2025
As May draws to a close, the Masai Mara has once again showcased its dramatic beauty and abundant wildlife, proving that the long rains can and do bring unique and rewarding safari experiences.
The month signifies a period of profound renewal, as the landscape fully responds to the onset of the wet season. From the end of March through May, the Reserve is transformed into a verdant expanse, characterised by seemingly endless lush grasslands that provide optimal conditions for both prey and predators.
Our sightings from across the diverse habitats confirm a surge in wildlife activity, with a particular emphasis on breeding behaviours and the vibrant displays of many of the avian species.
The Masai Mara plains in May – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
Weather and grasslands
May in the Masai Mara was characterised by the ongoing influence of the “long rains”. Between May 1st and 13th, we experienced rainfall almost every day, thoroughly quenching the plains and maintaining the vibrant green landscape that carried over from April. From the middle of the month onwards, the rains tapered off and the landscape started to dry out. We recorded 163.5mm of total rainfall for the month
Mornings often began with stunning sunrises and clear, crisp skies, transitioning into more dramatic cloud formations in the afternoons, occasionally delivering spectacular sunsets that painted the horizon with fiery hues.
A May sunrise – photo credit Kevin Maimba
The prevailing weather patterns contributed to the overall health and productivity of the entire region, replenishing water sources and supporting vigorous vegetation growth across the Reserve. The Mara River was flowing at a relatively high level, sustaining a diverse aquatic ecosystem.
Marsh terrapins sunbathe on fallen logs – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
Due to the increased water levels from the long rains, hippos tended to gather in significant numbers in shallower pools. The Musiara Marsh, a key wetland area, is a good place to see them. Their presence in these areas is consistent during this time of year, making them a regular and impressive sighting for our guests.
On the plains
The long grasses provided abundant forage, sustaining the large populations of herbivores. Resident wildebeest and zebras were widely observed, often in mixed associations.
White-bearded wildebeest – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
Zebras quench their thirst at one of the many natural waterholes – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
Refreshed by the long rains, the grasslands also offered an excellent environment for elephants. Numerous breeding herds were encountered moving through various sectors of the Reserve, especially along the verges of the Bila Shaka lugga and around the Musiara Marsh. By the end of the month, these same herds were scattered across the drier open plains.
Elephants across the Mara plains – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
Defassa waterbucks were sighted within their preferred riparian habitats. The distinct Coke’s hartebeest (also known by its Kiswahili name, Kongoni) were also recorded on the open grasslands, often assuming a position on a raised termite mound.
Defassa waterbucks – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
Spotted hyenas were ever-present and active throughout May, often seen walking independently along the roads or socialising within their clans. In the marsh areas, packs of hyenas are notorious for ambushing water-loving antelope, such as Bohor reedbuck and waterbucks, as well as some of the larger wetland bird species like herons.
A spotted hyena strolls along the road – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
Big cats of the Masai Mara
The Marsh Pride of lions is at a crucial point in its history. Most of the females (Lola, Kaleo, Naserian, and Enkerai) have been fully integrated with the Topi males for some time now, and plenty of mating has occurred. Specifically, Nzuri and Kaleo, Djodjo and Naserian, and Ukingo and Enkerai have all been mating.
Marsh Pride female, Kaleo – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
Nzuri mating with Kaleo – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
Lola has two newborn cubs, although she is still keeping them well hidden. These new cubs (born around the end of May) bring renewed hope for this pride; however, we are all too aware of the various challenges these females have faced in raising their young. Despite many cubs being born into this pride over the past few years, Lola was the last female to raise a cub to adulthood successfully – Nusurika.
Lola – photo credit Governors’ guide Mike Mbungua
We are pleased to see that Kito has finally let her guard down and appears to have accepted the males, although we are yet to witness any romances on that front. Kito keeps herself occupied by initiating most of the hunts and ensuring the pride remains well fed on large buffalo. Very seldom does the pride take down another prey species, and with the Topi Boys often joining in on most of the feeds, it is hardly worth the energy.
Ukingo with Marsh Pride females – photo credit Mike Mbungua
On the 11th May, the Marsh Pride tragically lost one of its core females – Dada – due to an intraspecific conflict (lions) that was confirmed by postmortem. Dada’s life was not without its hardships, and ultimately, her resilience and story won over the hearts of many across the world. Born into the pride in July 2012, her mother was the legendary Siena, her father was one of the Musketeers, and her littermate was Yaya.
Siena with her cubs, Yaya and Dada, in 2012 – photo credit Ann Aveyard
The Topi Boys continue to dominate the Marsh Pride with great success. There were some initial doubts about how long they would remain in the territory, but six months later, they appear to be going nowhere. Easily found in the early mornings, with bulging bellies digesting heavy quantities of protein, these easy-going males have become quite the attraction.
Topi male, Nzuri – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
Moja Moja – photo credit Governors’ guide Mike Mbungua
On the 12th May, we witnessed an aggressive altercation involving six of the Topi males at the Bilashaka area. There was much speculation about whether the boys were chasing the estranged Marsh male, Oleku, or one of the Bilashaka males. However, according to our guides, the male being chased away was Vuli (M5).
When the other six boys officially left the Topi Pride late last year, Vuli was very attached to his mother, Autumn, and he chose to stay behind on Topi Plains. As such, his informal visits to the Marsh territory were sometimes met with hostility, and he risked finding himself without a coalition. Vuli has since settled with the others, although he is sometimes found on his own.
Towards the end of May, Oleku and Nusurika had moved up to Mara North Conservancy. Nusurika has since returned, perhaps due to strong ties with her mother and the rest of the pride females, but Oleku is reported to be keeping a low profile between Leopard Gorge and the Reserve. At this stage, we are unsure whether Oleku has finally moved on to find a coalition partner or a pride of his own, or whether he will return.
Birds of the Masai Mara
The avian diversity this month was particularly noteworthy. The lush environment supported a high concentration of birdlife, with many species, particularly males, displaying striking breeding plumages.
A bateleur – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
Raptors were prominent across the plains and skies. The Bateleur, an endangered species, was a frequent sight, soaring effortlessly through the air. Other raptors spotted included Augur buzzards, black-chested snake eagles, dark-chanting goshawks, and lizard buzzards. Hooded vultures, classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, contributed to the aerial scavenging guild.
A lizard buzzard in flight – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
A critically endangered hooded vulture – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
An Augur buzzard – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
In the wetland and marsh areas, saddle-billed storks, grey herons, and striated herons were observed. Grey crowned cranes were also present, with many pairs accompanied by their chicks.
A striated heron – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
A grey heron – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
A grey crowned crane chick – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
The vibrant malachite kingfisher was also seen frequently, perched amongst the sedges and reeds along the roadsides of the Musiara Marsh.
Malachite kingfisher – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
Our guests were lucky to witness multiple and varied breeding displays by male birds in the weaver family, Ploceidae. Fan-tailed widowbirds, red-collared widowbirds, Jackson’s widowbirds and yellow bishops all added to the avian spectacle and did not disappoint.
Yellow Bishop – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
Jackson’s Widowbird – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
The riverine forests brought their unique sights of stunning Schalow’s and Ross’s Turacos. Our camps, tucked away beneath these forest trees, are renowned as some of the best places in the whole of the Mara to have a good chance of seeing these two species, which can be very uncommon elsewhere.
Schalow’s turaco – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
Black and white pied kingfishers were active along the river’s course, while vibrant woodland kingfishers were found close by, perched within the forest.
Woodland Kingfisher – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
On the open plains, southern ground hornbills, an Endangered species, were often seen wandering in family groups and snatching up a wide variety of prey. Various species of song birds, including cisticolas and red-capped larks, were seen, as were yellow-throated sandgrouse and tiny purple grenadiers; all of whom contribute to the ground-dwelling avian population.
Yellow-throated sandgrouse – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
Male purple grenadier – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
Aerial species, including the lilac-breasted roller and red-rumped swallows, were frequently sighted and added to the rich bird tapestry of the Masai Mara.
Cisticola – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
Red-rumped swallow – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
The birding highlight of the month was a red-necked falcon, a species with fewer than 30 recorded sightings from the region. The red-necked falcon is not globally rare, but its populations are declining and is currently listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN.
A red-necked falcon – photo credit Simon Odhiambo
By Alisa Karstad, Impact Manager for Governors’ Camp Collection. If you’d like to learn more about a safari in May, please visit the link below.
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