January, February and June to October offers the best time to visit to Kenya or the best time to go to Kenya for safari and beach holidays as it is the dry season.
These high-season months are an enjoyable time to visit Kenya parks as the grass is thin, there is little rain and wildlife sightings are easier as animals gather around waterholes; they are also climber-friendly because of good visibility and lack of rain.
However, with a varied geography and a moderate climate, Kenya is considered a great year-round East Africa safari and beach holiday destination. And a rainy season visit – between mid-March to June and again between November and December – is well worth considering when planning your safari to Kenya.
You will avoid the peak-season crowds especially in the Masai Mara and take advantage of lower, off-season rates for safari lodges and camps in Kenya.
Why when is the best time to visit Kenya Matters?
Choosing the best month to visit Kenya can have a profound impact on your Kenya safari. You don’t want to plan the ultimate wildebeest migration safari only to find out that; the wildebeest have moved back to Tanzania or they are still in Tanzania’s Serengeti.
There is somewhere ideal to visit at any time of year, but for the Great Migration, bird migration or quality diving in the Indian, you’ll need to pick specific months.
For climbers, the dry season is prime time for safety and visibility. Temperatures are generally consistent across Kenya, with the coast hotter – but humidity can vary.
It can get cold in the mountains, and Kenya’s highest peak, Mount Kenya, is always covered in snow. Whether you search for Kenya safari packages or plan to travel independently, I will give you a monthly guide for the best time to visit Kenya.
A Month By Month Guide for Best Time to Travel to Kenya
January
Dry and hot, the high season beckons as the New Year begins.
January is a busy and best time to visit Kenya for everything: safari, hiking, city tours, village walks, diving, snorkeling and beach stays. This months is part of the dry season as it lie outside of the two notable ‘long’ and ‘short’ rain periods.
Dry season is mainly good and safe to conquer Africa’s second highest peak, Mount Kenya and for hiking in places like Hell’s Gate National Park.
You also have a chance to benefit from low season prices at Masai Mara because the great wildebeest migration is over, and migratory birds fly into the Mara instead.
January is also a good time for beach holidays on the Kenyan coast. Why not cerebrate the dawn of a new year on a Mombasa beach; the city hosts major celebrations.
February
Another contender for the best month to visit Kenya is February. This month sees both the high and dry seasons in Kenya.
The lack of rain makes it a popular choice for safaris in Kenya, with minimal muddy terrain and plenty of wildlife to see.
It is also a perfect time to visit Kenya for climbing and hiking, although as it is peak season, crowds and prices can both increase.
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March
The weather in Kenya in March changes quite quickly from ‘hot and dry’ to ‘wet and rainy’. Rainfalls occur commonly throughout large parts of the country.
The savannah often becomes a muddy landscape and some places become difficult to visit due to impassible roads.
The silver lining to this less-than-ideal weather is that crowds are absent and safari costs are lower. March is also a best time to visit Kenya Indian Ocean Coast for diving and snorkelling as there is clear water and good visibility.
April to May
The “long rains” hit in April and May. While the heavy rains of April can be off-putting for some travelers, the Masai Mara remains accessible. Crowds thin out, and it is the best time to visit Kenya if you want to enjoy the quietness and solitude of nature.
However, some safari lodges and camps close during this time of the year because constant rain can hamper visibility in some parks, and the humidity can be uncomfortable. Game drives can be challenging on muddy roads.
It is also still a great time to be by the coast, but heavy rains can reduce visibility for divers and snorkelers. But don’t dismiss May for wildlife viewings tours!
Yes, the grasses can be longer in May, and sightings trickier, but the light and colors can be extraordinary for photography. Samburu National Reserve in northern Kenya is a great choice as wildlife gathers on the riverbanks of the Ewaso Ng’iro River.
June
June is a wonderful time to visit Kenya especially to experience Kenyan highlands, and with low humidity, walking and climbing become a little easier.
This a shoulder-season month that offers a lovely time for viewing wildlife, particularly in northern Kenya after the long rains, and there is an air of anticipation for the arrival of the Great Migration’s mega-herds into the Masai Mara.
The Kenyan Indian Ocean coast is mostly dry, and prices are a little lower before the high season kicks off in July. There are also various festivals you can experience in Kenya in June. Parades, singing and dancing take place on Madaraka Day on June 1 – the anniversary of Kenya’s move to self-rule.
The visually impressive LakeTurkana Festival in the Rift Valley brings together different ethnic groups in the region, to both celebrate their diverse cultures and promote peace.
July
The herds of Mother Nature’s greatest spectacle begin to arrive in the Masai Mara at the end of July. And this is also the best time to visit Kenya to have a front-row seat to dramatic wildebeest river crossings.
Although there is some dust, the weather is dry and mild, with the possibility of sporadic showers. July is a best time to go to Kenya for scuba diving enthusiasts as there’s good water visibility in the Indian Ocean due to minimal rainfall.
August
Similar to July, August is one of the best all-around months to visit Kenya, but it is a busy time. The Great Migration of Wildebeests, Zebras and Gazelles is well and truly underway, and wildebeest are filling the Masai Mara plains.
If you are not in the Masai Mara, August is an excellent time to visit other Kenya national parks and wildlife conservancies.
You can as well tour Nairobi City without the humid stickiness that makes urban exploring harder work. The food scene in Kenya’s capital is popping, and Nairobi Restaurant Week is an opportunity to get your fill.
For a hyper-local cultural experience take a safari to Samburu County in northern Kenya, the one-day Maralal Camel Derby is a colorful display of camels, costumes and culture.
September
September in Kenya offers the best of July and August in terms of weather and wildlife but with slightly fewer crowds, particularly in the latter part of the month.
You can still catch the great wildebeest migration as hot, dry weather sets in, and there is nearly no chance of rain.
October
In October, the migratory herds of wildebeest usually begin their journey from Masai Mara to Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. But Kenya has no shortage of resident wildlife that will keep safari enthusiasts delighted in Big 5 safari country.
October 20 is also Mashujaa Day in Kenya, also known as Heroes Day, honoring those involved in Kenya’s independence movement. It is a public holiday, and Nairobi and coastal areas are buzzing as Kenyans head to the beaches and parks.
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November
November in Kenya marks the beginning of the short rainy season.
Most parks and safari camps remain open but some camps close on the Laikipia Plateau. Despite the rainfall, this is a good time to visit Kenya to take the opportunity to enjoy a less crowded safari at lower costs.
November is also a fun month for festival lovers, with both Mombasa Carnival and Lamu Cultural Festival celebrating the rich heritage of Kenya’s ethnic groups and communities.
Floats, music and dance epitomize Mombasa’s street party while on the archipelago of Lamu off the northern coast; Lamu Cultural Festival includes traditional dancing called ngoma and centuries-old skills such as dhow (sailboat) building, donkey racing, fish-trap making and dhow regattas.
December
If you like your landscapes lush and abundant, last month of the year in Kenya is magical.
The rains tend to stop around the middle of the month, and Kenya’s parks take on a gorgeous green hue ahead of the upcoming second “high season” of January and February. Water visibility is optimal during the shoulder season too, so this is a best time to visit Kenya if you are diver and snorkeler.
December 12 also marks Jamhuri Day. Jamhuri means republic in Swahili, and this day is when Kenya marks its 1963 independence from Britain and its constitution as a republic a year later, with cultural events, dances and music.
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FAQs about the Best Time to Go To Kenya
1. What is the cheapest time to go to Kenya?
The cheapest time to go to Kenya is during shoulder seasons months. Book your Kenya safari between the short and long rains (January to March) when prices are usually lower than during the peak vacation season.
Beach resorts and hotels offer great deals outside the peak periods too. Traveling in the rainy season can also be a winner as the downpours are often short-lived, the landscapes are lush, and the price difference can be significant.
2. Which is the best month to visit Kenya?
The months of January, February, June, July, August, September and October are the best times to travel to Kenya as it is the dry season – hot and cool respectively.
3. What is the best time to go on safari in Kenya?
The best time to go on safari in Kenya is between June and October. Visit in August or early September and you can almost guarantee that your safari will coincide with the famous wildebeest migration across the Masai Mara.
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4. When is best time to visit Kenya for migration?
July to October are the best times to visit Kenya to see the Great Migration. If the wildebeest migration experience is on your must-see list, head to the Masai Mara from mid-July onward to observe one of nature’s greatest sights – thousands of wildebeest, zebras and giraffes making the move across the Serengeti.
5. When is the best time to visit Kenya Masai Mara?
Masai Mara is known to offer great wildlife viewing all year round. But for those looking for an opportunity to watch as the great migration unfolds the best time to visit the Mara is from July to October. Read more about the best time to visit Masai Mara.
6. When is the best time to visit Kenya and Tanzania?
The classic best time to visit Tanzania and Kenya on safari adventure is usually from mid-June through to late October, the peak being around August and September. This four-to-five month window, between East Africa’s two rainy seasons, is when both the weather is at its best and game viewing is at its most thrilling.
7. What month is hottest in Kenya?
February is usually the hottest month of the year in Kenya. Highs are typically in the upper 70s F to low 90s F.
8. Is November a good to visit Kenya?
November can be a good time to visit Kenya—the weather is warm, the tourist numbers are moderate, and the Mombasa Carnival gets underway on the coast. But you’ll need to prepare for some rain. It’s a shoulder season which means you get a little bit of everything: some days are sunny while others get pummeled with rain showers.
9. Is February a good Time to visit Kenya?
Yes, February is a good time to visit Kenya as it falls in the dry season. The absence of wet soil and mud makes the savannah easy to access and perfect for wildlife safaris.
Destinations like Samburu and Masai Mara teem with wild animals and others while temperatures in the city are warm and pleasant, lingering in the high 70s to mid-80s. But note that that this is peak season—expect more tourists and higher prices.
10. Which months are best to go to Nairobi?
The best time to plan your tour activities in Nairobi city is during the dry months of July through October and also January and February.
When is the best time to go to Kenya?
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