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Porini Lion Camp
Porini Lion Camp
Porini Lion Camp
Porini Lion Camp
Porini Lion Camp
Porini Lion Camp
Porini Lion Camp
Porini Lion Camp
Porini Lion Camp

About Porini Lion Camp

In a riverbank location in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Porini Lion Camp is a traditionally styled tented ...

... camp in one of the Mara region's most successful community-owned wildlife conservancies.

Porini Lion Camp is a simple camp in a great location for wildlife, with good guides. The game drives are sensitively and intelligently conducted and Porini Lion is likely to appeal to safari purists who are looking for no-frills tented camp in an excellent wildlife area. However the standards in camp are disappointing and we feel that there are camps that offer better value for money than Porini Lion.

Our view

Porini Lion Camp is a simple camp in a great location for wildlife, with good guides. The game drives are sensitively and intelligently conducted and Porini Lion is likely to appeal to safari purists who are looking for no-frills tented camp in an excellent wildlife area. However the standards in camp are disappointing and we feel that there are camps that offer better value for money than Porini Lion.

Accommodation

11 tents

Children

Best for 8+

Open

1st June to the 12th April

Activities

4WD Safari

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Cultural excursion

Guided walking safari

Guided walking safari

Hot air ballooning

Hot air ballooning

Night drive

Night drive

Private activities

Private activities

Traveller reviews of Porini Lion Camp

9 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.


82%
9 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
3
Good
4
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Mr BGfromNewport Coast

Arrived 24 Nov 2024, 3 nights

"Porini Lion Camp review"

"Good game viewing …" Read Mr BG’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

P&JGfromScotland

Arrived 16 Aug 2019, 3 nights

"Porini Lion Camp Lived up to its name"

"Staff were attentive and friendly...driver and guide fountains of knowledge. …" Read P&JG’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

Mr DariofromRichmond

Arrived 14 Aug 2017, 4 nights

"It's called Lion camp for a reason !"

"The number of cats that we saw there in those 2 days beggars belief. …" Read Mr Dario’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs QfromBerks

Arrived 3 Aug 2015, 3 nights

"Porini Lion camp game drives Brilliant"

"Food excellent particularly the soups and service by all staff excellent. Wil …" Read Mr & Mrs Q’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs JfromSurrey

Arrived 27 Jul 2014, 3 nights

"An interesting experience of life in the bush"

"Perhaps we were setting the standard too high having just spent three wonderful …" Read Mr & Mrs J’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Average

Mrs ASfromHerts

Arrived 27 Jul 2014, 3 nights

"A disappointment after the first camp"

"Although OUR tent had a good outlook I felt that on the whole they were too …" Read Mrs AS’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Average

Miss S & Mr PfromSuffolk

Arrived 27 Jul 2014, 3 nights

"Porini Lion Camp"

"We had been told before we arrived that Porini would be different to Kicheche, …" Read Miss S & Mr P’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

Mr & Mrs SfromDorset

Arrived 26 Jul 2014, 3 nights

"Excellent 3 days at Porini"

"Our tent was situated just above the river and had less of a view than Kicheche …" Read Mr & Mrs S’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs BfromColchester

Arrived 26 Jul 2014, 3 nights

"Porini Lion Camp review"

"We also much enjoyed this stay. The Maasai, again without exception, were …" Read Mr & Mrs B’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

See all Porini Lion Camp reviews

Porini Lion Camp: Our full report

In a riverbank location in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Porini Lion Camp is a traditionally styled tented ...

... camp in one of the Mara region's most successful community-owned wildlife conservancies.

Just north of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, the Olare Motorogi Conservancy is a community-integrated conservancy, renowned for its pristine environment and big cats. It is one of the newer concessions and has changed the way most members of the local Maasai community view tourists. The Maasai landowners here have jointly agreed to give up a large part of their grazing lands through the year in exchange for a guaranteed income from the controlled number of visitors who choose to do their safaris in this wildlife rich and comparatively quiet area of bush and savannah.

In 2012 Olare Orok Conservancy joined with the neighbouring Motorogi Conservancy to the north to form a single tourism and conservation area, managed by the same warden and rangers. The two conservancies are unusual for their highly focused conservation work and success of the integration of tourism into the local community. Olare Orok set the benchmarks for sustainable Mara tourism – one tent per 700 acres (just under 3km²) and no more than 12 tents in a camp. Payments from safari travellers are funnelled direct to the Maasai landowners, who in turn are allowed to use the conservancies' grasslands when drought is causing hardship for their herds.

Porini Lion Camp is a traditionally styled, tented eco-camp, avowing the principle that every element of a camp could be removed without leaving a trace behind of the human incursion. All inorganic waste is transported back to Nairobi. The camp has always been run by local Maasai, with many having been there for many years which is generally a very good sign. However, during our most recent visit in October 2019, we noted that the standards of service were much lower than expected: staff seemed unmotivated and inattentive, with a real lack of good management. Guests were very much left to their own devices, with no apparent hosting or efforts from the staff to interact with the guests.

We liked Porini Lion's riverbank location and the large and breezy tents overlooking the plains, ranged on either side of the central dining and lounge tent along the east bank of the meandering Ntiakatek River. The spacious dining and lounge tent is furnished in a simple, rather dated style, with wood-frame armchairs, coffee tables and rugs, and basic dining tables and steel-frame dining chairs. Coffee in a thermos and tea-making requisites are always on hand.

The tents are comfortable enough and unfussy, fitted out with chunky, wooden furniture, with thick, soft rugs laid on the vinyl floors. These are not particularly luxurious or stylish tents, but they are large and comfortably functional – ideal for people who want a tented camp experience without frills.

Ten of these tents are identical and can be set up as either a double or a twin. There is then a family tent, 5a and 5b, which consists of two separate bedrooms which are connected by a central lounge. Some of the tents units have been replaced and are much brighter and fresher than the old – worth requesting when booking, both for a new tent and with a good view (also a variable factor), as there are real differences in standards.

The main activities at Porini Lion Camp are wildlife-based. Game drives, with an excellent team including silver and bronze qualified guides, largely take place in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, not just because it is so accessible and game watching can start within seconds of leaving camp, but because the human presence here is so light. Guests from other camps in the Mara region are not permitted to do game drives here and vehicles are capped at a maximum of five per sighting – however in our experience there is not likely to be more than two or three vehicles present on most occasions.

The big cats are all present here – there are invariably more cats than human visitors in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy. There are several prides and usually more than 50 lions in the conservancy, enabling visitors to enjoy some of the best lion watching in the Mara. In 2019, resident leopards included a female and a cub often seen close to camp, while cheetahs (although they tend to range far and wide) were also present.

Porini Lion Camp's location, less than 5km from the edge of the Maasai Mara National Reserve and 15km as the crow flies from the Mara River, is an ideal base for visiting the Mara during the wildebeest migration. Guests normally spend one day out of an average stay of three days on an all-day game drive into the eastern (Narok-County-Council-controlled) side of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

As well as day drives, the camp offers night drives, conducted with red spotlights only, to limit the impact on the wildlife. Most animals have reflective layers at the back of the eye, greatly improving night vision, but often causing them to be badly spooked by brilliant white lights: by contrast red light doesn't faze them at all and in some cases is invisible to them.

Visits to a village in the local community are possible for an additional cost. Unlike some camps and lodges where the majority of this payment is treated as earnings, at Porini Lion Camp all of it is donated directly to the village.

In common with all properties in the Mara, there's also the option of an early-morning balloon flight.

Geographics

Location
Maasai Mara Conservancies, Kenya
Ideal length of stay
Three nights to explore the area and try all the activities
Directions
The camp is 12km from Olare Orok airstrip, a drive of about 40 minutes without game watching.
Accessible by
Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Full Board & Activities
Food quality
The food at Porini Lion Camp is hearty safari fare. Food-lovers to whom meals are a key element of the holiday experience will consider the cuisine simple and it is certainly not the focus of a stay here. A weekly rotating menu at all four Porini camps ensures that meal selections are not repeated if you're staying in more than one camp.

A full English-style breakfast is served, with a limited selection of fruit, cereals and yoghurt. This is followed by a hot breakfast with eggs cooked to preference. During a visit in October 2019, we had an excellent breakfast in the bush.

Lunch consisted of two courses. We started with a buffet consisting of lentil curry, pork chops, fluffy rice, vegetable quiche and roasted vegetables. We followed this with a strawberry mousse.

For dinner we ate mushroom soup, stuffed chicken with spaghetti and boiled vegetables, with deep fried banana for pudding.
Dining style
Group Meals
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Drinks included
All drinks, including beer, house wine and local spirits, are included in the rates. The camp does not normally carry premium wines or spirits.

Special interests

Birdwatching
Birdwatching in camp is excellent, especially around the tall Warburgia (elephant pepper trees) trees. There is a good variety of raptors in the area and the rare Usambiro barbet can be seen around camp.
See ideas for Birdwatching in Kenya
Photography holidays
There are few other vehicles in the area, making the experience exclusive and very personal. The Porini Lion Camp Land Cruisers have a number of helpful modifications for photographers, including adept driver/guides and plug sockets.
See ideas for Photography holidays in Kenya
Wildlife safaris
Open-sided 4x4 safari vehicles and well-qualified guides are the standout features of game drives at Porini Lion Camp, and you rarely see other vehicles. Night drives are also popular and they use a red light to avoid causing stress to the wildlife.
See ideas for Wildlife safaris in Kenya

Children

Attitude towards children
The camp is unfenced and quiet, so is better for well-behaved children over the age of eight years.
Property’s age restrictions
8+, but walking out of camp is at the discretion of the guide, so normally children need to be fairly big and mature for any foot activities.
Special activities & services
There are board games, and children can make bows and arrows etc, with local Maasai staff. Staff from housekeeping will babysit in the evenings, but not very small children.
Equipment
None
Generally recommended for children
The guests at Porini Lion Camp are usually adults, so children will need to have some appreciation of the bush environment and be able to behave accordingly. It's a rewarding place to stay for more mature children.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Porini Lion Camp

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Porini Lion Camp have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.

Buffalo

100% success

Cheetah

100% success

Eland

100% success

Elephant

100% success

Giraffe

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Leopard

100% success

Lion

100% success

Spotted Hyena

100% success

Wildebeest

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Aardvark

0% success

Black Rhino

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Striped Hyena

0% success

Wild dog

0% success

Communications

Power supply notes
The camp has strong eco-credentials and runs off 100% solar power. There are charging points in the media tent.
Communications
Wi-Fi can be accessed in the small media tent and also in the lounge, but not in the bedroom tents.
TV & radio
None
Water supply
Borehole
Water supply notes
The plumbed-in bathrooms have running water for the basin and flush toilet; several have beautiful blue pottery basins and cups with the image of a with the camp's trademark lion motif. Hot water for bucket 'safari showers' is provided before dinner, or on request at any time.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
Staff are first aid trained there is a first-aid kit in the camp and one in every vehicle. The nearest professional medical assistance is at Talek, where there's a clinic. The camp has links to the flying doctors service in the event of a serious emergency.
Dangerous animals
High Risk
Security measures
Askaris patrol the camp day and night.
Fire safety
There are fire extinguishers in every tent and near the central areas. Equipment is serviced every six months and staff do fire drills. There is also a firebreak that has been cut in the grass around camp.

Activities

  • 4WD Safari

    4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Cultural excursion

    Cultural excursion

  • Guided walking safari

    Guided walking safari

  • Hot air ballooning

    Hot air ballooning

  • Night drive

    Night drive

  • Private activities

    Private activities

Extras

Disabled access
On Request
Laundry facilities
No Laundry Facilities
Money
Valuables can be left with the manager, but there is no safe. Guests are encouraged to lock valuables in their bags. Currency cannot be exchanged.
Accepted payment on location
Everything is included at Porini Lion Camp, so strictly speaking, money is not needed. Guests who want to tip or pay for anything can do so in Kenyan shillings or US dollars.

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Porini Lion Camp's location

Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Porini Lion Camp.


Excursions from Porini Lion Camp

Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst you're staying at Porini Lion Camp. Talk to us: these are usually best arranged before you go.


Balloon flight over the Mara

Balloon flight over the Mara

3 hours in total - morning only

With the sun rising over the Loita Hills, you scramble into the balloon basket for the start of a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You’re about to go drifting with the breeze above the trees and plains of one of the world’s greatest wildlife regions.

More about Balloon Safari
96% (35 reviews)
Safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve

Safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve

All day from sunrise to sunset

If you're not staying in the Maasai Mara National Reserve itself, you're likely to be staying in one of the outstandingly wildlife-rich Maasai-owned private conservancies just outside the reserve boundary. A full-day game drive in the reserve gives you the chance to visit the Mara River and see some of the reserve's fabled wildlife locations.

More about Maasai Mara Safari
87% (21 reviews)

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When to go to Maasai Mara Conservancies

Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Porini Lion Camp in Maasai Mara Conservancies


Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Kenya in January

Clear, hot days and warm nights make this high season a popular time for safaris and it’s also good for diving and snorkelling as water clarity is excellent and gets better as the dry season progresses. Most lodges and tented camps treat January after the New Year week is over, as mid-season, making it a good compromise in terms of value for money with reasonably reliable, dry weather and some greenery left in the landscape.

Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in January, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the weather and seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

  • On average, January is the second driest month of the year
  • Elephants dig waterholes in the dry riverbed in the Samburu reserve.
  • Wildebeest and many antelope have their calving season, to February.
  • Migrant birds are seen in huge numbers, especially in the Rift Valley.
  • Sea water clarity around the coral reefs generally good.

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in January

Kenya in February

With the short dry season well established, the grass grazed down and wildlife gathering close to water points, this is still a good time for a safari. Good water clarity in the Indian Ocean's coastal waters makes for excellent diving and snorkelling conditions.

Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in February, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the weather and seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

  • On average, February is the driest month of the year.
  • It’s sometimes possible to swim with whale sharks at Diani Beach.
  • Migrant birds are still seen everywhere, especially near water.
  • This is usually peak calving season for wildebeest and many antelopes.
  • This month is often the hottest of the year, especially on the coast.

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in February

Kenya in March

Hot, increasingly humid weather – with good diving and snorkelling conditions at the start of the month – gives way to rains and lower accommodation costs. Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in March, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and predicting the seasons since the beginning of this century has been difficult.

March is the month when – traditionally – intensely hot conditions build up until a cloudburst finally happens at the end of the month or in early April, to relieve the humidity. As ever, regional variations across the country can greatly impact on visitors' experiences.

  • Sea-water clarity is best for diving before the long rains start.
  • Visitor numbers are low, though the Easter holidays can be busier.
  • Night skies can be scintillatingly clear in early March.
  • Cropped down savannah grasses can make it easier to see the wildlife.
  • Temperartures climb high, especially at lower elevations.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in March

Kenya in April

April sees the full onset of the southeast monsoon wind or kusi, which heralds the long rains. Temperatures drop soon after the rains are established and you’ll often have facilities largely to yourself in this more affordable low season, sometimes known as the "green season". The bush quickly springs to life, with greenery sprouting almost before your eyes. While you're likely to get a fair number of heavy showers, the breaks in the rain can yield sparklingly clear conditions.

With the dust settled and bright sun piercing the clouds, conditions can be sublime for photography, especially first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon with another storm brewing. You may be lucky, or you may find conditions very wet and muddy.

  • A wet month, the coast often gets more than 300mm (12in) of rain.
  • Sunny spells can provide great light for photography.
  • Buffalo and zebra calving season often happens in this month.
  • Baby crocodiles hatch, for example on Central Island in Lake Turkana.
  • Palearctic migrant birds gather to fly north to breeding grounds.

Our view

A time to avoid if possible

Weather in April

Kenya in May

While game viewing can be trickier as vegetation runs riot, between the cloudbursts the colours and light are great for photography at this time of year. Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in May, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and while it's reasonable to expect heavy rains in many parts during this month, especially on the coast, the rains don't always come evenly or in some areas come at all.

In an El Niño year, the so-called long rains that normally are established across much of the country by May can be meagre, to the despair of farmers. On the other hand in a La Niña year, the long rains can bring floods. On the coast, the monsoon winds make the climate much more predictable, with heavy rains common throughout this month.

  • Frogs breed in the ponds in the Arabuko Sokoke Forest near Watamu.
  • Wildebeest, impala and other grazers are in rut (the breeding season).
  • Kilimanjaro looks its best as heavy rain falls as snow on the summit.
  • There's a sharp peek of rainfall on the coast with many rainy days.
  • Accommodation prices are uniformly low, while some camps close.

Our view

A time to avoid if possible

Weather in May

Kenya in June

The rains give way to cloudy, cooler weather, often making for comfortable conditions by the end of the month, especially in the highlands. Starting from mid-June or the beginning of July and running until the end of October, this is the high season, and accordingly has higher accommodation rates and – at least until early September – higher numbers of visitors.

While the early part of June can often be rainy on the coast, it can be a great time to go on safari, with fresh greenery, many young animals and good photographic conditions with clear air.

  • The Taru Desert, inland from the coast, is carpeted with flowers.
  • The Lake Turkana Cultural Festival is held in Loiyangalani.
  • Madaraka Day (commemorating self rule) is 1 June.
  • The annual Lewa marathon runs a course through the wildlife.
  • The Diani Rules "sports" event rips up the rulebook at Diani Beach.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in June

Kenya in July

Kenya’s “winter" season sets in (winter is a misnomer but locals feel the change), and the highlands can be rather grey. Skies are often cloudy and the days can be surprisingly cool, with an average daytime high in many highland safari areas of 15-20°C and night-time temperatures dropping below 10°C in Nairobi and the highlands. Lower parts of the country and the coast are usually warm and dry, typically reaching highs of around 25°C with lows in the high teens.

As this is the start of the high season, coinciding with the usual arrival of the wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara, July is a busy month. Ask your Expert Africa specialist to advise on how to avoid the crowds, which is not that difficult to do.

  • The wildebeest migration usually reaches the Maasai Mara in July.
  • Simbi Lake (Kisumu) and Crater Lake (Naivasha) can attract flamingoes.
  • Watersports start to pick up and some surfing is possible at Malindi.
  • Afternoon thunderstorms are a common feature in the Maasai Mara.
  • The sea can be choppy along the coast, making diving difficult.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in July

Kenya in August

The Great Migration fills the plains of the Maasai Mara, and school’s out, so the park roads are full of tourists – ask your Expert Africa specialist for advice on crowd avoidance tactics. Choose a private conservancy rather than a public national park or national reserve for quieter conditions.

Like July, August is generally mild and relatively dry in the safari areas, but it can be very chilly in the highlands, even in the middle of the day, and hail occasionally falls above altitudes of around 2,400m (8,000ft). Nairobi can be disappointingly overcast, with low cloud.

  • Apart from Christmas holidays, this is the busiest month of the year.
  • Late August sees peak wildebeest drama at the Mara River crossings.
  • Coastal winds are good for kite- and wind-surfing.
  • Few mosquitoes are around at this generally dry time of year.
  • The annual Camel Derby takes place in the Samburu capital, Maralal.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in August

Kenya in September

The skies clearing of cloud signals the start of hot, dry weather with little chance of rain – and, after the first few days of the month, far fewer visitors – making the latter part of September a good time for a quieter safari. While early September is often good for dramatic migration crossings along the Mara River, you might consider deliberately postponing your trip until later in the month, when the migration can still be very impressive and visitor numbers fewer.

If tourist surges are somewhat predictable, however, the patterns of the wildebeest migration are more volatile, and like all of Expert Africa's climate and weather assessments, they are based on accumulated years of experience rather than guaranteed certainty.

  • This is still high season, with prices to match.
  • Many river crossings take place on the Mara river in both directions.
  • Natural bush fires flush out insects and small animals for predators.
  • The Rift Valley Music Festival takes place by Lake Naivasha.
  • With school holidays over by early September, late-month is quieter.

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in September

Kenya in October

Still hot, mostly dry and not too busy, this is many people’s preferred month for a safari, and it’s also good for diving and snorkelling. The wildebeest and zebra herds of the great migration are often still to be seen, though in dwindling numbers. The swamps of Amboseli attract thirsty wildlife including large herds of elephants.

While we wouldn't expect much rain across most of the country this month, the climate has become so unpredictable that you can never say never, and the possibiity of the short rains – usually associated with November to mid-December, starting early, can't be discounted.

  • This month sees the tail end of the great migration in the Mara.
  • Palearctic migrant birds start to arrive, staying until March.
  • Turtle nests hatch at Watamu, until November.
  • Amboseli elephants focus on the swamps for their daily water.
  • The Indian Ocean monsoon winds turn from southeast to northeast.

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in October

Kenya in November

The northeast monsoon wind or kaskazi heralds the start of the “short rains", usually some time in the second half of the month. From November to mid-December, this is the low season, and accordingly has lower accommodation rates and lower visitor numbers. Across most of the country you can expect warm, somewhat cloudy weather, with occasional heavy showers and localised flooding.

Expert Africa bases its description of the climate in November, like the other months of the year, on the records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable: some years the short rains don't come at all, or don't reach every part of the country. In an El Niño year, the November short rains can be very heavy, but in a La Niña year, they can fail completely.

  • Swimming with dolphins in Lamu can be done from now until April.
  • Birders gather at Ngulia in Tsavo West to ring Palearctic migrants.
  • The Lamu Cultural Festival takes over the town and Lamu Creek.
  • Agricultural shows often take place regional market towns.
  • This is low season, so camps can be great value, with special offers.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in November

Kenya in December

In a typical December, the rains usually finish by middle of the month, leaving the landscape looking its best, under clear blue skies, and heralding the start of the second peak tourist season from around 20 December to the first week of January. Our assessment of the likely weather in December, like the other months of the year, is based on climate records, and it's fair to say that the seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

Christmas can sometimes be wet, but most years the rains have finished a week or two earlier, with the festive season ushering in the perfect combination of clear skies and sunshine by day and starry nights.

  • Christmas and New Year are busy, with the lodges and camps full.
  • Rates are highest after 24 Dec, with supplements on public holidays.
  • Republic Day and Independence day are celebrated on 12 December.
  • Good kite- and wind-surfing restarts, with strong northeasterly winds.
  • Mango season begins, providing excitement for primates and elephants.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in December

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