When to visit Kenya?
When is the best time to visit Kenya, you ask? Anytime!
One of the reasons Kenya is such a popular country for safari holidays, is the fact that the climate allows for great travels all year round. Sure, we have two wet and dry seasons here, as well as cooler and warmer periods. But in general all seasons have their own charm and advantages.
Do you prefer to avoid busy days and keep your budget low? If so, the wet season is the best time to visit. You might encounter some showers, but also cooler weather, lots of green (everything bursts to life!) and definitely less travellers.
Do you want to maximise your chances of seeing big herds of wildlife? Then the dry season is ideal, with September and October as peak months. Animals gather around rivers and waterholes during dry seasons, which makes them easier to spot. September and October are the months for the great migration in the Masai Mara National Reserve, which guarantees the sighting of thousands of animals.
Check the bullet points below to know which part of the year is the best time to visit Kenya, according to your preferences. Need more advice? Feel free to call our office and get advice from our specialists.
Dry season
The dry season runs from June to October and from December to March, the first one being a bit cooler than the second one. Advantages of traveling during the dry seasons are:
- Wildlife gathers around rivers and waterholes (easier to spot)
- Pleasant temperatures of 25-27 °C (sunny and no rain)
- September and October are great months to see the wildebeest migration and epic river crossings
- There are less mosquitoes
- The roads are better and game drives easier
- Cool temperatures from evening to early morning
- Clear blue skies
Wet season
Kenya has a short and long wet season. The short one is in November and the long one from April to May. These months usually have shorter and longer showers, but not every day and only rarely does it rain a full day. At times roads might be less accessible. Advantages of traveling during the wet season are:
- Colourful nature (flowers in bloom, forest and grass is green)
- Bird watching at its best
- The animals are in good condition
- The chance to experience real tropical showers
- Lower rates make it a cheaper safari
- Fewer tourists and thus a more intimate safari experience
Low, mid and high season in Kenya
Kenya has three different holiday seasons, with high, middle and low rates.
High season
June to October, December, January and February. These months are popular with tourists, which leads to hotels charging high rates. Around Christmas and New Years (December 22nd to January 10th) hotels might charge a peak rate.
Mid season
November 1st to December 21th and the month of March. These periods attract less visitors, which causes hotels to handle cheaper rates.
Low season
April and May. The long wet season is least popular with travellers but has the best rates.
