KenyaBest Time to Visit

The equator roughly bisects Kenya, with the Great Rift Valley and Chalbi Desert anchoring the north half and the south part housing Nairobi, Mount Kenya, some of the best-known game parks, and the coast. This geography means that Kenya’s wet and dry seasons aren’t as clearly defined as they are in other African countries, with specific pursuits—such as wildlife viewing, birdwatching or diving in the Indian Ocean—requiring calculated plans. Temperatures, though, are generally constant, with the coast hotter if sometimes humid and the mountains consistently cold (Mount Kenya’s summit is always capped with snow).

When is the ideal time to visit Kenya?

July to October and January to February are the best months for wildlife safaris—the former to catch the Great Migration of wildebeest, zebras, and giraffes across the Serengeti in the Masai Mara and January and February to see great flocks of migratory birds traversing the same territory. If you’ve already experienced the Great Migration, these months are also an ideal time to visit any of Kenya’s other parks and conservancies, which will be slightly less crowded than the Masai Mara. For those interested in cultural festivals and/or quality diving, November and December are prime time on the coast, where underwater visibility will be at its peak and celebrations such as Mombasa Carnival and the Lamu Cultural Festival take place. December is also when Kenya is at its lushest, the landscapes taking on a vibrant green hue after seasonal rains have stopped around mid-month.

When is Kenya’s peak tourist season?

Kenya in fact has two high seasons: July and August are when the wildlife preserves are busiest—the rainfall is minimal, the grass in the parks is thinner and animal sightings are more reliable as wildlife congregates around waterholes. The second peak season lands in January and February—hot, dry months when safari bookings reignite, beach resorts fill up and trekkers flock to the slopes of Mount Kenya and the hiking trails of Hell’s Gate National Park in the Southern Rift Valley to take advantage of the lack of rain and better visibility. 

Which is the most affordable time to visit Kenya?

The shoulder season of April to June, when the heaviest rainfall of the year might deter some travellers, but fewer crowds, the unusual quietude of the parks and lower prices at lodges and conservancies offer their own rich rewards.

How long should I plan to visit Kenya?

A minimum of two weeks is sufficient to experience all that Kenya has to offer. Over 14 days, you’ll have enough time to take in all of the highlights (Nairobi, a multi-day safari, Mount Kenya) and a few farther-flung gems (the Great Rift Valley, Lamu Island), while still having some time for rest after travelling long distances between destinations.