Kenya
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Mike and Clair from North Yorkshire travelled to the Masai Mara, Kenya for three weeks
Dear Michele, highlights of our latest Kenya trip. Two cheetah kills, both Grants gazelles, both very close. The second one all on our own, miles from her previous stomping ground. All 4 cubs helped her! One leopard kill 20 yards from us taking a young zebra at a crossing. Buffalo giving birth and rejecting the calf in favour of her previous calf, still at heel. Wildebeest giving birth. Four zebra crossings, one with crocodiles killing an adventurous adult zebra. Zebra stallions fighting for females. Three side-striped jackals. Serval being intimidated by zebras (we had well over an hour of this confrontation). Leopard out in the sun then going back to its kill in the tree and demolishing it! Ten different cheetahs, all 100% visible. Six leopards all 100% visible.
220 plus lions, the Cheli pride had at least 23 cubs under 3 months old.
Kenya
When to Travel & Seasons
Kenya seasons and weather – When to see the migration
The dry seasons in Kenya are generally from mid-June to October, and from late-December to mid-March, and game-viewing is best at these times. Only a limited number of camps and lodges are open in the wettest months of November, April and May. However, rain can be experienced at any time of year, and the seasons on the coast are slightly different.
Day time temperatures and humidity are affected by altitude but it is generally warm to hot throughout the year (averaging around 28C but slightly higher from October to March). Night time temperatures also vary considerably according to altitude, but aside from the Mount Kenya and Aberdare highlands, rarely fall to low single figures (areas such as the Laikipia and Masai Mara might see low double figures at night and during the rains).
On the coast, temperatures are high year round (averaging around 30C). The best conditions are found from October/November to March/April when the Kaskazi wind blows gently from the north-east. This is also the most humid time. From April/May to September/October, when the Kuzi ‘monsoon’ wind blows more strongly from the south-east, sea conditions can be choppy and certain beaches affected by seaweed. During this time, snorkelling and diving options could be restricted.
The wildebeest and zebra migration season in the Masai Mara is from mid-July to late October. Please see wildlife highlights for more information.