twaffle

I may have a chance to get to the Mara for about a week in mid to late January but won't be able to go anywhere else or go as far as the Serengeti for the migration.

Has anyone spent time in the Mara in January and if so, what was the game viewing like. Just can't decide if it is worth going at that time of year. I am planning to spend the week at Serian, just flying in and then out again.

sandi

January certainly isn't Aug or Sep, but the Mara is always good. I've been often "off-season" and never been disappointed.

Maybe consider splitting the time with a few days (3) at Samburu ... it'll be hot, but most all properties have pools, and the balance in the Mara (4).

divewop

I've also been to the Mara in January and in February. Gotta say, I love it and have never had an issue of not seeing an abundance of wildlife. Lions, cheetah, leopard, herds of eles, plenty of plains game, baboons...the list goes on and on.

I always stay at either Little Governor's or Il Moran. The Governor's camps seem to have a huge supply of resident animals right outside the camps and sometimes even in the camps. (Resident bull ele at LG's.)

I'm trying to get back to Africa too, sometime in January or February and am torn between going to Kenya/TZ or back down to Bots/Southern Africa. What to do?!
Decisions, decisions...

sandi

So many places, how to choose?

twaffle

Thanks Sandi, I won't have time to indulge in transferring to another park/reserve this time but hope to go back later in the year.

Divewop, it strains the brain trying to make these decisions I agree. At least I have narrowed it to one location in one country!

atravelynn

Divewop, That's right you are always the last minute planner. You may significantly benefit financially from last minute plans this time around.

Depending on where in Kenya, I might keep tabs on the rains.

You're probably not climing the mountain again, are you?

spassvogel

You cannot go wrong with the Mara at any time of the year as this is a place of plenty - wildlife.

Just the weather might be a concern (too much rain or too little) but planning short-term makes also the weather impact almost irrelevant.

We ourselves have planned a trip to TAZ and Kenya (6 days in the Mara) for the beginning of Feb and we are very positive about that

SV

twaffle

Thanks everyone. I think I'll go, maybe .......

atravelynn

I'm sure you will not regret that decision!