Middle of the wetter season · Weather & things to do
Maasai Mara in December
Little changes in Maasai Mara from November: highs stay near 81°F (27°C), lows near 59°F (15°C), and about 5.5 in (140 mm) of rain falls.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 74/100, 9th of 12.
- Avg high
- 81°F (27°C)
- Avg low
- 59°F (15°C)
- Rain
- 5.5 in (140 mm)
- Humidity
- 71%
- Cloud cover
- 66%
- Daylight
- ~12 h 05 min
- Comfort score
- 74/100 · Good
What December feels like
Highs settle around 81°F (27°C), warm enough for short sleeves.
Mornings start much cooler: lows average 59°F (15°C), about 12°C (22°F) below the afternoon high.
Rain is a real factor, with about 5.5 in (140 mm) across the month.
Plan around December
December sits mid-table; the best months are June – August.
- Comfort holds steady from November (73 → 74/100).
- Our Kenya & Tanzania Safari route recommends Jun – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 81°F
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hathigh UV on clear days
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 59°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes5.5 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Maasai Mara in December
Wet days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Angama Mara
Lodge on the Oloololo escarpment 300 m above the Mara Triangle, with farm-grown food.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 5.5 in of rain.
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Rolling grassland with lions, cheetahs, elephants and, from July to October, the wildebeest migration.
Musiara Marsh
Northern marshland known for resident lion prides and big herds of buffalo and elephant.
Mara Serena Safari Lodge
Hilltop lodge in the Mara Triangle whose terrace bar overlooks the Mara River plains.
Governors' Balloon Safaris
Dawn hot-air balloon flight over the reserve, finished with a champagne bush breakfast.
Nearby in December
- Serengeti in December~62 mi · highs 81°F, 5.3 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Nairobi in December~117 mi · highs 78°F, 2.6 in rain · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, drier
- Ngorongoro in December~121 mi · highs 75°F, 5.9 in rain · 3°C (6°F) cooler by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Maasai Mara in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Maasai Mara?
It's middling, scoring 74/100. The best months are June – August, at up to 90. Expect highs of 81°F (27°C) and 5.5 in (140 mm) of rain. Our Kenya & Tanzania Safari route recommends Jun – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How hot is Maasai Mara in December?
Average highs are 81°F (27°C) and average lows 59°F (15°C), making it the 5th-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Maasai Mara in December?
Yes: about 5.5 in (140 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 44.3 in (1124 mm).
What should I pack for Maasai Mara in December?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 81°F), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (high UV on clear days), a warm layer for evenings (lows near 59°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (5.5 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Maasai Mara
Planning Maasai Mara in December?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.