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0261 Karen Blixen Camp The Migration
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Best Time to Visit Kenya

Best Time to Visit Kenya

January

A dry-season month, January has high inland and coastal temperatures, with only occasional rainfall – it’s one of the best times for viewing wildlife.

  • Day time maximum temperature = 27°C
  • Night time minimum temperature = 10°C
  • Average rainfall = 55mm
  • Average daylight = 12 hours

What's the weather going to be like in Kenya in January?

  • Days are hot and clear, but evening in Laikipia, Lewa and Mara can be cold
  • We’re in dry season, so only occasional short spells of rain occur, usually in the afternoon
  • It’s getting hotter throughout the month, and the water temperature around Kenya’s coast averages 27 degrees
  • Take layers for safari, including light waterproofs just in case
  • The Maasai Mara National Reserve receives just five days of rain in January and eight sunshine hours daily

What are the highlights of visiting Kenya in January?

  • Good availability and rates at camps and lodges
  • The dry-season heat provides great conditions for watching wildlife
  • There are no mosquitoes
  • Parks and reserves are relatively quiet
  • Predators including big cats are commonly sighted on the plains, while the rivers contain good numbers of crocodile and hippo
  • There’s a possibility of spotting newborn animals
  • Migratory birds may be viewed
  • The average water temperature (27°C) is superb for snorkelling and diving, with very little surface run-off – look out for rays and turtles
  • The warmer evenings invite photographers out to snap some stunning sunsets, whether on evening game drives or while sinking sundowners

Any Lowlights?

  • Day-to-day temperatures can be difficult to predict
  • There’s high humidity around the coast
  • January is not a Great Migration month – if you’re keen to see the migration, we recommend visiting the Maasai Mara from July to September

Recommended Safaris to Kenya in January

  • "I can't thank Lauren and her team at YZ enough for all they have done to guide us with our decisions regarding our Africa trip in these trying times. In July 2020 we had to make a decision to 'postpone or cancel' our trip. Going there was out of the question. Everything was on hold around the wor..."

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  • "We went on our Honeymoon to East Africa the first 2 weeks of October this year during the Pandemic. To say that Yellow Zebra and the overall experience was amazing is a true understatement. Every single person, at every location in Africa was wearing masks and taking extreme measures to keep the..."

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  • "We booked our safari holiday for Oct 2020 over 18 months ago and Sam there was fantastic in his advice and booking us our dream trip. A couple of months ago Emma, one of their managers, contacted me with a choice of moving our holiday to next year or still going this Oct but with one accommodat..."

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  • "Yellow Zebra was immensely helpful during these uncertain times. They communicated often and were very transparent. They also made rescheduling our honeymoon a complete breeze and stress free. I highly recommend them and they’re the best travel agency we’ve ever worked with!"

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  • "We were unable to take our trip to Tanzania this year because no flights were available due to Covid-19 country restrictions on US citizens. Yellow dog quickly and seamlessly re-booked us for next year. Based on my experience with Yellow Zebra in comparison with other agents I have been dealing w..."

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