Fodorites,

I've been to the Masai Mara a few times for the migration (August/Sept) and it has always been awesome!

This next year, it appears I might be in the Mara in Jan/Feb.

(1) Do you think it's worth visiting the Mara in Jan/Feb even if the migration is way south in Tanzania?

(2) If you do think it's worthwhile anyway, which part of the park would you recommend staying (west, east, north)?

Thanks for your help!!

One more thing, does anyone know what the weather is like in Jan/Feb in the Mara?

Any thoughts?

Mara should be very good in Jan/Feb. Even if the herds are not around, there is still plenty of resident game including all the big cats.

I would recommend staying in the Mara Triangle area istself. With very few crowds, it should be a super visit.

Chk the game sightings report from websites like www.governorscamp.com
to get an insight about general viewing for the time of yr in question.

Hari

Many many years ago I went to the Mara in February and it was fantastic. I self drove ( which many people think is difficuly - its not). It rained a bit and we did get stuck in the mud. There was lots of game, many cats etc. Enjoy!

SimbaKubwa

few see crossings.
when people report their trip they MENTION the migration, but concentrate on predator sightings, special animal behaviours, rarities etc'
since you have seen The migration, u can now concentrate on the other "aspects" as predators, for example, r still there

I've been to Mara in all seasons including rainy season & never been disappointed...

Keekorok area is superb any time (& within easy reach of other 'good' areas)
or if u stay in Talek area you can reach both the Ttiangle & Keekorok

Jan/Feb is the hottest driest period (though nights r still cool)
How high the grass will be? it all depends on the short rains. lately the climate goes crazy

Bottom line: Go for it & u'll enjoy

aby

Thank you,

So I'm gathering the eastern part of the Mara might be better than the western part of the Mara in Jan/Feb ?

I don't think that was the message. It has been said the north-western part (triangle) and the Keekorok area are good all year... and Keekorok was partially recommended because it is relatively central.. not necessarily because the game viewing was going to be the best in the east.

<b>simbakubwa</b>: This is what we saw during our 3 nights in the Maasai Mara on Mar 1 - 3, 2006:

turtle
topi
zebra (and babies)
lion (lots and lots of babies too!)
vultures
eagles
elephants (lots and babies)
red billed horn bird
eland
cape buffalo
crowned crane
wildebeeste (and babies)
leopard shell tortoise
hyena
balloons (ok, ok..I'm just so good at spotting them!)
impala
thompsons gazelle
grants gazelle
agamo lizard
hippos (and babies)
crocs
giraffe
waterbuck
black rhino
cheetah

If memory serves, it was quite warm then.
Was it worth it? You <b>betcha</b>!

<font color="green">Cyn</font>

Cyn,

Where did you stay in March?

<b>simbakubwa</b>:

We were in a private safari camp located on the Sand River near Roots Crossing.

<font color="green">Cyn</font>

Cyn
forgive me for correcting you, hope u won't feel u r being patronized...
But Joseph Thomson deserves it - the first man to cross Maasailand (~1882-3)
and what's may be more important, the man who proved to the Royal Geographical Society that there r glaciers near the equator (Kili) when German missionaries had reported it was defined an &quot;illusion&quot; ...
so Thomson's Gazelle it is
{also the bird is Hornbill , &amp; Agama is the lizard }

peace

aby

No worries aby - I freely admit that I am no expert! (I also have no memory, so I may not remember Thomson's - vs Thompson's!, so if that happens again...<b>you</b> may need to forgive <b><font color="blue">me</font></b>!) I'll also go check my photos now to correct the names if I have them wrong there!

<font color="green">Cyn</font>

hi i'll jump in if i may. i also been to mara many times-mostly sept/oct. i went in june last yr. no migration-but i knew that.could rain-i knew that also-and it did. plenty of mud around-that made it more fun
plenty of cats/buffalo around. no matter where we went.
my first time i stayed at base camp on the talek river. since then though-i prefer to camp at the public camp site near the talek river gate. we drive all over. sometimes we go by way of the gate which is on the right. or we take that left instead.
not sure of the directions, but we cross double cross, go to the bilashaka area, and so forth-i tend to stay at least 4 nts always-so we go everywhere.
go an enjoy-you never know how this stuff turns out.thats the beauty of these trips. on another subject-people on the outside who dont go-dont seem to understand that.very annoying.
thx, david

Thanks.

It sounds like it's still worth visiting the Mara in February... and it doesn't really seem to matter where we stay in the park.