Winter in Kenya comes during July-August with evenings slightly chilly. Summers occur from December to March. Although the Mara is close to the equator, it is at high elevation so temperatures are generally mild. Average daytime temperatures are around 21-26 degrees centigrade all year round. The lowest temperatures may reach is 11 degrees centigrade and the highest temperatures do not exceed 30 degrees centigrade. The rainy seasons are usually during April and May (the so-called "long rains") and later in the year during November and December (the so-called "short rains"). The highest rainfall of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem occurs in the Masai Mara with approximately 1000 mm of annual rainfall. Most rainfall is during the night or late afternoon, and thereby does not significantly interrupt game drives.
