January and February

  • This is high season in some of the parks which means it can get very crowded, especially in the popular Masai Mara, Amboseli and Lake Nakuru areas.
  • The temperatures are usually milder and there's less rain in general.
  • Not as busy as peak season (July to September).

March to May

  • This is the low or green season which experiences the highest rainfall.
  • Some of the lodges and camps close down during these months as the roads become impassable with the heavy rains which can be relentless.
  • The skies are also often overcast and cloudy.
  • The bush is lush and green and birdlife is at its most prolific.
  • Rates are often better and the parks are less crowded.
  • While Kenya's beaches are good all year round, bear in mind that coastal temperatures and rainfall are highest at this time of the year.
Kicheche Bush Camp Game Drive

Kenyan Safari

June to September

  • Arguably the best time to visit as the weather is great and there is little to no rainfall.
  • It's the dry season and game is easy to spot as they gather around available water sources and rivers.
  • The bush is less dense and the grasses are trampled down, making visibility good.
  • In the Maasai Mara, July to September is also the time when the Great Migration is most active, as millions of wildebeest make their way from the Serengeti into Kenya's Maasai Mara. August and September are very busy but this is the best time for the migration.
  • Please note that July to September is peak season. Safari lodge rates will also be at a premium and overcrowding can be overwhelming, especially in the more popular national reserves like Maasai Mara, Amboseli and even Lake Nakuru.

October to December

Kenyan Thunderstorm Brewing

Thunderstorm Brewing over Plains, Kenya

  • The start of the early rains (short rains).
  • Dramatic thunderstorms with afternoon downpours.
  • The bush transforms into a lush, green paradise and birds, especially migratory ones, flock to the area.
  • It's also birthing season for many species and you're likely to see plenty of babies in the wild, with lots of predator action.
  • Accommodation rates are lower and parks are less crowded.
  • The rainy seasons are much more rewarding for keen birders.
  • In the Mara, the migration has passed but there is still plenty of resident wildlife. The grass is short. We consider October and November a bit of a hidden secret - you can escape the crowds of peak season, pay a bit less, and yet see plenty of wildlife. Check out our blog post - Is it worth visiting the Masai Mara outside of migration season?

Year Round

  • The best wildlife viewing in Kenya takes place in the dry season from late June to October.
  • The biggest wildlife event in Kenya is undoubtedly the annual wildebeest migration which reaches the Maasai Mara in July or early August.
  • The animals usually remain there until early October when they start the trek back to the Serengeti in Tanzania.
  • Game viewing is plentiful all year round in Kenya, depending on which area and reserve you wish to visit.
  • Kenya's beautiful beaches are tropical and temperatures are great all year round.
  • The temperature of the warm Indian Ocean remains consistent throughout the year.
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Diani Beach, Kenya

Combining Kenya with Other Destinations?

Email us for expert advice on which destinations work well together at different times of the year.

Keep in mind every year is different. The migration follows the rains, and slight variations in timing make it hard to predict when the migration will arrive or leave, and when river crossings might take place.

Read more about Kenya, the country.

See our recommended Kenyan Safaris.

Kenya Nakuru Climate Month by Month

Nakuru, Kenya's climate month by month

(Image: Wild Wings Safaris)
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