Most travellers avoid the Masai Mara from March to May. We disagree.
**The conventional wisdom**: April and May are wet. The long rains turn roads into rivers. Many lodges close. The migration herds are still in the Serengeti.
**The honest truth**: the Mara in green season is the most rewarding time to visit for the right traveller.
Current costs depend on the route, dates, group size and arrangements selected. Ask Blue Mountain for a written quote and confirmation of the current inclusions before booking.
**What you accept**
- Afternoon showers most days. Plan game drives for 6-10am and 3-6pm.
- Some roads (especially around the Mara Triangle) become impassable after heavy rain.
- Many tented camps close in April and May. Plan around the lodges that stay open.
**What you miss**
- The great migration (July-October). The Mara still has excellent resident wildlife — big cats, elephant, giraffe, hippo — but not the million-animal river crossings.
**Our green-season picks**
- March: best balance. Rains are still light, prices are dropping, wildlife is excellent.
- April: deepest value. Many lodges closed, but the open ones are quiet.
- May: rains tapering off, lodges reopening. A great shoulder-season pick.
**Is it for you?**
- **Yes** if: you are a photographer, you value low crowds, you are budget-conscious, you are returning to the Mara after seeing the migration.
- **No** if: this is your once-in-a-lifetime Mara visit and you specifically want migration river crossings. Visit in August-September for that.