The Best Time to Visit Kenya 

“When should go to Kenya for a safari” is a frequently asked question by travelers planning a safari to Kenya and it is always a tricky one. The best time to visit Kenya usually depends on what you want to see, how you want to see it and when you can actually travel.

Whether you are looking for a little bit of sunshine on your African safari (don’t let the winter get the better of you) or you can only travel in a certain month of the year, it is a good idea to spend some time looking into the conditions and what is happening on the ground.

Kenya is a gem in the crown of Africa, the original safari destination and home to the famous Masai Mara, the country has a decades – long history as the place to see the epic annual wildebeest migration. A safari to Kenya, takes you to Samburu National Reserve, with its arid thorn veld and amazing leopard sightings, or to Amboseli, with its stunning views of Kilimanjaro, or even to the picture-perfect beaches on the Indian Ocean Coast.

In this blog, we explain all you need to know about the best time to visit Kenya.

January to March 

January marks the start of the short dry season with beautiful sunny days before the heavy rains start it earnest at the end of March. The birthing season in Masai Mara National Reserve and Samburu National Reserve are in full swing, making it the perfect time to witness new life as it enters the world as well as having the opportunity to watch the local predators as they put their hunting skills to the test.

January to March is also an excellent time to spot wildlife in pretty much of all Kenya’s parks and reserves, this season is also good for sun lovers hoping for lunch break. The sun will be shining the whole day, the water is at its warmest and if you are a keen diver, you will be happy as a clam with visibility reaching up to 30m.

April and May 

April and May receive heavy rains. Generally, the rain falls in spectacular downpours for a couple for hours but longer showers aren’t uncommon. During this period of year, there is quite a lot of mud around and a good chance of getting stuck. Think of it as an adventure.

With some careful planning, this is a stunning time of year to take advantage of with brilliant light and fresh colors and hardly anyone around. Also, it is the cheapest time of year to visit Kenya by far, potentially making it the best time to visit Kenya. Most of the really inaccessible camps is open, rest assured the game viewing will be good and you will be dry (for most of the time anyway).

June to October 

June to October is one of the best times to visit Kenya as it is the main dry season. Rain is unusual during this period of the year (but you can never be totally sure) and days are clear and sunny. The local people refer to this period of the year as the cold winter, the temperatures are ideal for game viewing in the reserves and sun-lounging at the coast, which is always slightly warmer.

Though it is so dreamy time of the year. But a combination of European school holidays, the glorious weather and the Great Migration spilling over the Masai Mara from Tanzania’s Serengeti (roughly July to October) means it does get busy. If you want to avoid the crowds and aren’t fussy about visiting the Mara, head north to the Laikipia area, Samburu and Meru or to the Mara back to October is a favorite month to visit Kenya.

November and December

These two months are part of the short rains in Kenya, the rains might be unpredictable, bit the showers are short and sharp and shouldn’t affect game viewing. Most safari lodges and camps in Kenya provide all manner of waterproofs, wellies, and umbrellas and an excellent shoe-cleaning service. This can be a wonderful time to visit – fewer people, juicy sprouting of green grass and dramatic sunsets.

Importantly, it is the shoulder season and safari lodges are much more affordable. November and December is still a good time to visit the coast and for bush and beach safari packages too.

By mid-December, the rains have usually stopped and made way for clear blue skies – just in time for Christmas. This is another busy time in Kenya and, with a relative short flight time and the promise of lots of sunshine, it is a popular winter break from Europe. Again, booking in advance is essential especially if you have got a beach holiday at the cost in mind.