Best Time To Visit Kenya For Safari & Beach Holiday
January, February and June to October are the best time to visit Kenya and beach holidays as it the dry season, in these months the vegetation cover is thin, there is little rain and wildlife sightings are easier as animals gather around waterholes.
However, with varied geography and a moderate climate, Kenya is considered a great year round Africa destination as well as beach holiday destination. Visiting Kenya during the rainy season is also worth it that is between mid-March to June and between November and December, in this season you get to avoid the peak – season crowds, especially in Masai Mara National Reserve and also 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 tremendous impact on your Kenya Safari, for example you do not what to find out that the wildebeests have moved back to Tanzania or they are still in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.
In Kenya, there is somewhere ideal to visit at any time of the year but for the Great Migration, bird migration and quality dive in the Indian (diving in Kenya beaches) you will need to pick specific months.
For climbers, the dry season is a prime time as it offers safety and visibility. Temperatures are generally consistent across Kenya, with the coast being hotter but the humidity can vary.
In the mountains, it can get cold and Kenya’s highest peak – Mount Kenya is always covered in snow.
Whether you are looking for a Kenya safari package or plan to travel independently, here is a monthly guide for the best time to visit Kenya
A Month By Month Guide For Best Time to Travel To Kenya
January
This month is dry and hot and coincides with the high season as the New Year begins.
January is a busy month and is the best time to visit Kenya for safaris, hiking, city tours, village walks, diving, snorkeling and beach holidays. This month is part of the dry season thus being a perfect time for climbers to safely conquer Mount Kenya – the second highest peak in Africa and hiking in Kenya destinations like Hell’s Gate National Park.
Also, January is a good time for beach holidays on the Kenyan Coast.
February
February is another best month to visit for a safari in Kenya, this month sees both the high and dry seasons in Kenya. The less or on rain makes it a popular choice for safaris in Kenya with minimal muddy terrain and plenty of wildlife to see.
This month is also a perfect time to visit Kenya for climbing, hiking.
Note: since it is a peak season, crowds and prices normally increase.
March
In March, the weather changes quite quickly from hot and dry to wet and rainy, rainfalls occur commonly throughout large parts of the country. Often the savannah becomes a muddy landscape and some places become difficult to visit due to impassable roads.
The advantage of visiting during the rainy season is that the crowds are absent and safari costs are lower. Also, March is the best time to visit Kenya Indian Ocean Coast for diving and snorkeling as there is clear water and good visibility.
April To May
The long rains in April and May, while the heavy rains of April can be off-putting for travelers, the Masai Mara remains accessible. In these periods, the number of visitors are limited 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 temper with visibility in some parks and the humidity can be uncomfortable. Game drives can be challenging on muddy roads.
This is also a great time to visit the Kenyan coast, but heavy rains can reduce visibility for divers and snorkelers.
Note: Do not dismiss May for wildlife viewing tours.
Yes the grasses can be longer in May and sightings can be trickier, but the light and colors can be extraordinary for photography. Samburu National Reserve in the semi-desert northern Kenya is a great choice as wildlife gathers on the riverbanks of the Ewaso Ng’iro River.
June
June is a wonder time to visit Kenya especially to Kenyan highlands and with low humidity, walking and climbing becomes a little easier. This is a shoulder season month offering 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 is mostly dry and prices are a little lower compared to the peak season which kicks off in July. There are also various festivals you can experience in Kenya in July.
The Madaraka Day which is filled with parades, singing and dancing takes place on June 1, celebrating the anniversary of Kenya’s move to self-rule.
July
At the end of July, the herds in the Great Migration – Nature’s greatest spectacle begin to arrive in Masai Mara. This is also the best time to visit Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve 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 visit Kenya for scuba diving enthusiasts as there is good water visibility in the Indian Ocean due to minimal rainfall.
August
Just like 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 wildebeests are filling the Masai Mara Plains.
It is also a good time to visit other Kenya national parks and wildlife conservancies.
September
This month offers the best weather and wildlife in Kenya but with slightly fewer crowds particularly in the latter part of the month. Still you can catch the great wildebeest migration as hot and dry weather sets in and there is nearly no chance of rain.
October
In October, the migratory herds of wildebeests 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.
The Mashujaa Day also known as Heroes Day takes place in October 20 honoring those involved in Kenya’s Independence movement. It is a public holiday in Kenya and Nairobi – the capital city and the coastal areas are buzzing with festivities.
November
November 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.
In this month, Mombasa is filled with festivals such as Mombasa Carnival and Lamu Cultural Festival celebrating the rich heritage of Kenya;s ethnic groups and communities.
December
If you love landscapes which are abundant in Kenya, the last month of the year that is December is magical. The rains tend to stop around the middle of the month and Kenya’s parks and reserves takes on a gorgeous green hue a head of the upcoming high season of January and February.
In this month, the water visibility is optimal so this is the best time to visit Kenya for diving and snorkeling.
December 12th marks Jamhuri Day which means republic in Swahili, this day marks when Kenya got its independence in 1963 from the Britain and its constitution as a republic a year later. This day is celebrated with cultural events, dances and music.
FAQs About The Best Time To Go To Kenya
What is The Cheapest Time To Go to Kenya?
The shoulder season months that is between the short and long rains – January to March are the cheapest time to visit Kenya, in this season the prices are usually lower than during the peak safari season.
Most safari lodges and resorts in Kenya offer great deals outside of the peak periods, also the landscapes are lush due to the short lived downpours.
Which is The Best Month to Visit Kenya?
The months of January, Februrary, June, July, August, September and October are the best timesto travel to Kenya as it is the dry season.
What Is The Best Time To Go On A safari in Kenya?
Between June and October is the best time to go on a safari in Kenya, visiting in August or early September you can almost guarantee that your safari will coincide with the famous wildebeest migration in Masai Mara National Reserve.
When is The Best Time To Visit Kenya for Migration?
July to October are the best months to visit Kenya to see the Great Migration, head to Masai Mara from mid-July onward to observe one of the nature’s greatest sights that is thousands of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles making their way from Serengeti across Mara River.
