The best time to visit Kenya is during the dry season, from late June to October, which is ideal for wildlife viewing. This is also the time when the wildebeest migration reaches the Masai Mara and remains until October before moving back to Tanzania’s Serengeti.
However, wildlife viewing is good year-round, although this may vary for some parks. The rainy seasons are also great times to travel with fewer visitors, and December is particularly ideal for seeing newborn animals and migratory bird species.
Kenya is a popular destination for travellers seeking wildlife adventures and breathtaking scenery. Our team of travel experts has compiled monthly weather conditions and events to help you plan your trip based on your interests.
January in Kenya
January in Kenya is one of the hot, dry months with temperatures of about 75°F – 80° F during the day and 57 to 62° F during the night, which means that the nights in Kenya during this month are hot. The mountains can be very cold at this time, so if you plan to go hiking and mountain climbing, take along appropriate clothing materials.
In January, expect a lot of crowds in the tourist centres and beaches. Although, it is said that the population of people does not matter because most of the tourist activities in the country take place in the deep wilderness. Hotels and lodges are this time because there are many visitors.
When you visit Kenya in January, plan to visit Mount Kenya National Park, most importantly if you plan to climb the 17,057-foot peak, other unique places you can explore in the country by January are Hell’s Gate National Park, Kenya beaches, the beautiful towns of Malindi and Mombasa, Nairobi National Museum, Waiyaki Way, Watamu Beach, Mombasa Marine National Park and others
January also allows exploring the well-known Maasai Mara. Although the wildebeest migration is not much, you will still have a glimpse of it. You can go to the Amboseli National Park to see the migratory birds. It is also one of the best times to see mammals surrounding the water holes.
A memorable event also takes place in January or February Every year. The event is known as Nairobi Restaurant Week. It is a ten days event.
February in Kenya
February is also a dry month without rain in Kenya, except for some days at night. Due to the dry land, the savannah area becomes easier to access and suitable for viewing wildlife. It is one of the peak seasons in the country with lots of crowds, and accommodation is relatively high during this time.
Hell’s Gate National Park or Mount Kenya National Park, Massai Mara are also: very frigid during this time, so it is not advisable to visit there, and you need to consider taking a cold jacket with you.
Fascinating places such as the Indian Ocean, Amboseli National Park, Mount Kenya, Nairobi National Museum, Mombasa Marine National Park, Watamu Beach, Wasini Island etc., can be visited during this period.
One of the country’s most famous festivals in February is the East African Community Arts Festival, and sometimes the Nairobi Restaurant Week falls within this month too.
March in Kenya
The weather transitions from hot and dry to cold and wet in March. It is the beginning of rainy days in Kenya. The weather condition could be more favourable for travelling as places are damp and muddy. The cost of travelling during this period is relatively low as people only travel a little during this time. Great, if you decide to travel to Kenya by this month, you can visit some enjoyable places, such as Nairobi. This place is good during this time of the year for indoor attractions such as restaurants, museums etc.
It does not rain every day in the country, some days can be hot with a lot of sun, and if it rains, the rain does not last for the whole day.
You can also visit the beaches for swimming, explore Maasai Mara, go to Mount Kenya National Park, Nairobi National Museum, Mombasa Marine National Park, Anuba Lounge or Klub Zero 4 etc. Though March is not a good month for you; you can still get to see some animals such as giraffes, hippos, zebras, elephants etc. at this time.
Sometimes the East African Community Arts Festival is one of Kenya’s great festivals in early March.
April in Kenya
Like March, April is one of Kenya’s wettest and most rainy months. Yep, the temperature reads about 77°F – 82°F in the day, while at night, it is about 55°F. It is one of the green seasons because generations grow well during this period.
April has fewer tourists because of the cold weather conditions, so costs are much lower than in other months.
The beaches could be better during April as they will be very wet and cold, and you will likely not see much wildlife by this time of the year too. But you can try out the Hell’s Gate National Park, Massai Mara, or better still, visit Nairobi for great nightlife enjoyment and the beautiful sight of the museum.
May in Kenya
Morning hours in Kenya in May are generally sunny, and it is just like April, but be sure that there will be rain later in the afternoons.
Due to the everyday rain, many people do not plan their trips during this time as most tourist centres will not be at their best.
Wildlife will be little during this period, but travelling and your cost are relatively cheap by this time.
Though it is not advisable to travel by this time of the year, if you wish, there are some places of enjoyment that you can visit. These places are Nairobi National Museum, Nairobi National Park, Mount Kenya National Park, and many more.
June in Kenya
The rain has subsided in June, the days are warmer, and the skies are brighter. The increasing hotness and dryness of the temperatures make many elephants surround the rivers and water holes.
June is one of the best times to visit Kenya’s most populous reservation centres and national parks; it is also the start of the great migration. Meru National Park at this time is also suitable for spotting unique birds like the African pygmy kingfisher and African fish eagle.
On your visit to Kenya in July, be sure to see the beautiful coral reefs around Mombasa or Malindi surroundings, Lake Nkuru, Nairobi National Park, and some other parks in Kenya.
The most beautiful thing about visiting Kenya in June is the lovely pink flamingos that gather around the water holes. Or when you visit Maasai Mara, you will see the Great Migration of Wildebeest and other animals, such as tons of elephants, zebras, cheetahs, lions, hippos, etc.
July in Kenya
July weather condition is the most pleasant weather condition in Kenya. It is a sunny though not scorching, dry and warm month with a very low percentage of rainfall.
Many people visit Kenya at this time of the year because the weather is enjoyable though the tour operations might be higher than in other months.
Swimming in the Indian Ocean is enjoyable and appealing; the great migration is at its peak this time, so you see lots of animals crossing through the Mara River.
Lake Nakuru is also a breathtaking place at this time, as the flamingoes are glowing in pink colour.
Inviting places such as Banana Hill Art Gallery, AFEW Giraffe Center, Matbronze Art Gallery, Matbronze Art Gallery and Foundry, etc., place you can visit in July while in Kenya.
You can also enjoy birdwatching at Falconry of Kenya, go on a boat cruise in Mombasa Marine National Park, or you enjoy swimming activities at Watamu Beach.
August in Kenya
August is one of the peak times to visit Kenya, as the temperatures are pleasant, and it’s mostly dry. This month is perfect for fantastic game viewing, with the Great Migration at its height in the Masai Mara.
You will be able to witness the river crossings as countless wildebeest and zebra gather and cross the Mara and Talek Rivers. If you’re hoping to see the herds cross the crocodile-filled Mara River (the holy grail of Great Migration safaris) then you should not visit Kenya in August.
September in Kenya
September is the hottest and driest month of the year in Kenya, with a Temperature of about 72 to 84°F during the day and 52 to 62°F at night. There is rarely rain except in the mountains, where it rains nearly half of the time.
This period is one of the peak periods in Kenya and the best time to visit the country. Due to the pleasant weather, Kenya is usually crowded during this month, just like in July.
When in Kenya in September, visit places such as Nakuru lake, Samburu National Reserve, Amboseli National Park, Hell’s Gate National Park, Mount Kenya National Park, and other stunning places you can visit.
Kenya international Trade Fair is a major event during this period; therefore, plan to enjoy the fun of it.
October in Kenya
October in Kenya is a transitional month with both hotness and rain. The first few weeks are hot, while the remaining days mark the start of rain.
When the rain gets more challenging, it is then difficult to view wildlife because of the change in the weather condition. The temperature at this read about 58°F to 80°F.
Most arks are still at their best for visitation, so you can visit any of them.
November in Kenya
November is a great time to visit Kenya as the short rains are starting. Most destinations, including the Mara, remain open despite many camps being closed on the Laikipia Plateau. Although the temperature is hotter, good game viewing is still possible, and activities continue
This month sees fewer crowds, and you can find cheaper accommodations. If you prefer beaches, many tourists flock to them during this period. Additionally, both the Aberdare National Park and Great Rift Valley experience a peak in migrating birds.
You would love the Lamu Cultural Festival, which celebrates life in the old-world island destination of the Lamu Archipelago. It’s a three-day festival that draws visitors from around the world.
December in Kenya
December is an excellent time to visit Kenya because the weather is warm and conducive to dry. The crowd sizes during this month are still manageable, especially at the beginning of the month. There might be rain but be sure it is not daily.
National parks and lakes are good places to visit during this time, and you also get to enjoy the Rusinga Cultural Festival, celebrated every December in Kenya.
Conclusion
With the month-by-month guide on your travel journey to Kenya, you can successfully plan your trip to the beautiful country.
