Is August the month your family finally sees a crocodile meet a wildebeest?
A Kenya safari in August is the peak of the Great Migration. Huge herds graze the Masai Mara and river crossings are frequent, though never on a timetable. Weather is dry with warm days. It is the busiest and most expensive month: Mara fees stay at USD 200 or KES 3,000 a day and Kenyan schools are on holiday.
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- SeasonDry, peak seasonBusiest month in the Mara
- MigrationHerds spread across the MaraFrequent river crossings
- Mara weatherAbout 24 to 27°C daysCold early mornings
- Mara fee, non residentUSD 200 per dayHigh season rate
- Mara fee, citizenKES 3,000 per dayHigh season rate
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A Kenya safari in August is what most people picture when they think of the migration. The Masai Mara plains are covered with wildebeest and zebra, lions and cheetahs hunt in daylight. The Mara River is the stage for crossings that draw photographers from around the world.
August is also the busiest month of the year. International summer holidays meet the Kenyan school August break, so camps, vehicles and flights fill fast. This guide explains the migration in August, the weather, the fees in KES and USD and how to plan so you see the action without the stress.
Highlights
- Peak migration month in the Masai Mara
- Mara River crossings happen often, but never to a schedule
- Dry weather, warm days and cold mornings
- High season Mara fees: USD 200 or KES 3,000 per adult per day
- Kenyan schools break for most of August
- Conservancies keep vehicle numbers low
- Book five to six months ahead for river camps
August park fees per adult per day
| Park | Kenyan citizen | Non resident |
|---|---|---|
| Masai Mara National Reserve | KES 3,000 | USD 200 |
| Mara Triangle | KES 3,000 | USD 200 |
| Amboseli or Lake Nakuru | KES 1,500 | USD 90 |
| Nairobi National Park or Tsavo | KES 1,000 | USD 80 |
| Private Mara conservancies | Varies | About USD 80 to 120 per night |
- East African residents pay KES 5,000 per day in the Mara from July to December.
- Mara tickets run 6am to 6pm and each day is charged separately.
- Fees are set by Narok County, the Mara Conservancy and KWS and are confirmed when you book.
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Is a Kenya safari in August worth it?
Yes, if seeing the migration is the dream. August usually has the largest numbers of wildebeest and zebra in the Masai Mara. Predators have easy hunting and sightings are constant.
It is worth it with planning. Book early, stay at least three nights and choose a camp that suits your goal. River camps cost more but put you close to crossings. Conservancy camps give calm drives and better value.
What happens in the Great Migration in August?
By August the herds have spread across the Mara plains and the northern Serengeti on the Tanzanian side. They move back and forth across the Mara River and its tributaries as they chase fresh grass.
Crossings can happen several times a day or not at all for days. Herds gather on the bank, hesitate and then rush in. Crocodiles wait in the water. Patience is part of the experience, so pack snacks and a full day of water. The migration month by month guide shows how August fits the wider pattern.
What is the weather like on a Kenya safari in August?
August is dry and mild. Mara days reach about 24 to 27°C and early mornings are cold. Short showers can come towards the end of the month, but rain rarely stops a game drive.
Dust is common on dry roads. Bring a scarf for your face and a cover for your camera. Layers work best: a fleece and jacket at dawn, a light shirt by midday.
How crowded is the Masai Mara in August?
August is the busiest month. Popular crossing points can draw dozens of vehicles. Kenyan families also travel because schools close for the August holiday. In 2026 the break ran from 3 to 21 August.
You can avoid the worst of it. Stay in a private conservancy with capped vehicle numbers. Drive out early and stay out through midday when others go back to camp. The Mara Triangle on the western side is often quieter than the eastern reserve.
How much does a Kenya safari in August cost?
August is peak season, so expect top lodge rates and the high Mara fee. A non resident adult pays USD 200 per day in the Mara. A Kenyan citizen pays KES 3,000 and an East African resident KES 5,000. Children 8 and under enter free.
KWS parks charge the same all year. Amboseli and Lake Nakuru are USD 90 or KES 1,500. Nairobi National Park and Tsavo are USD 80 or KES 1,000. Our Masai Mara entry fees guide lists child and resident rates.
Planning an August school holiday safari in Kenya
For families, August is the obvious window. Book family rooms early because they are limited. A road safari via Lake Naivasha breaks the drive for young children.
Children 8 and under enter the Mara free. Citizen children 9 to 17 pay KES 500 a day in high season. Many lodges have pools and family tents. See our family holiday packages in Kenya for ideas that fit the school calendar.
- Pick a lodge with a fence or pool if your children are under 10
- Plan short morning and late afternoon drives for small children
- Pack warm clothes for dawn and sunhats for midday
- Bring binoculars for each child to keep them engaged
What else can you do in August?
A sunrise hot air balloon over the herds is the August highlight for many guests. It books out early, so reserve it with your safari. See our Masai Mara balloon safari.
Beyond the Mara, Amboseli is dry with elephants under Kilimanjaro. Samburu is hot and full of special northern species. The coast is warm and breezy in August, so a bush and beach trip works well.
How to book your August safari
Book five to six months ahead for camps near the river. Pay a deposit to hold the room and clear the balance in instalments by Mpesa, bank or card.
Our river crossing safari puts you near the main crossing points. The 4 day Masai Mara migration safari gives the extra day that crossings often need. Coming in July instead? Read our Kenya safari in July guide. We plan every Maasai Mara trip around your dates.
Questions people ask
Is August the best month for a Kenya safari?
For the migration, August is usually the best month. Herds fill the Masai Mara and river crossings are frequent. It is also the busiest and priciest month. If you want fewer vehicles and lower lodge rates, consider late June, early July or September instead.
Are river crossings guaranteed in August?
No. August has frequent crossings, but they depend on the herds, the rain and the grass. Some days bring several crossings and some bring none. Stay at least three nights near the river and be ready to wait. Your guide will read the herds and choose where to sit.
How much is the Masai Mara park fee in August?
In August the reserve charges its high season rate. Non resident adults pay USD 200 per day, East African residents KES 5,000 and Kenyan citizens KES 3,000. Citizen children 9 to 17 pay KES 500 and children 8 and under enter free.
When is the August school holiday in Kenya?
Kenyan schools usually close for about three weeks in August. In 2026 the break ran from 3 to 21 August. The Ministry of Education sets new dates each year, so we confirm them before you book a family safari.
What should I pack for a safari in August?
Pack layers. Bring a warm jacket and fleece for cold dawn drives, plus light shirts, a sunhat and sunscreen for the day. A scarf helps with dust. Choose neutral colours, comfortable shoes, binoculars and a soft bag that fits in a small plane or van.
How early should I book an August safari in Kenya?
Five to six months ahead for river camps and balloon flights. Mid range lodges may have space later, but family rooms go first. Lock in your dates with a deposit and pay the balance in instalments before you travel.
Sources we checked: Mara Triangle (Mara Conservancy): conservation fees and ticket rules; Narok County Government (manages the Masai Mara National Reserve); Kenya Wildlife Service: conservation fees from October 2025; Education News Hub: Ministry of Education 2026 term dates (August holiday 3 to 21 August); Rough Guides: Masai Mara in August; Sunheron: Masai Mara monthly climate averages. Rules and fees change, so we confirm them again when you book.
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