USA
UK / International
CA
Australia
The sheer number of Kenya’s safari parks is absolutely awesome – and there’s such exciting variety too.
When to visit Kenya
Set in East Africa with a coastline on the Indian Ocean, Kenya has a diverse geography and is considered a year-round destination for both safaris and beach vacations. For the best wildlife action, aim for the peak season (July to September), but for the ideal adventure-and-relaxation combination (that isn’t peak prices), consider December and January. For more information, you’ll find a month-by-month guide highlighting the best time to go to Kenya below:
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
January - Best month to visit Kenya
- January in Kenya is dry-season month in Kenya, which provides excellent game viewing.
- Days are hot and clear, with only occasional short spells of rain.
- There is good availability and rates at most camps and lodges, and the parks are relatively quiet
- As it gets hotter, so does the water temperature, making January a great month to add on some beach time.
- January is not a great migration month, but there is a possibility of spotting new-born animals.
Dry season
Max temp 80 F
Short spells
Add beach time
Not an ideal migration month
Migratory birds
February - Best month to visit Kenya
- February in Kenya is a fantastic time for a classic safari, thanks to its hot and dry conditions.
- This is one of the best months to visit Kenya, as it offers great value for money and availability of properties is good.
- Excellent wildlife-viewing of a range of predators and herbivores, because of the short grasses.
- Great photography opportunities as wildlife quench their thirst at waterholes.
- Want to see the Great Migration this month? We would actually recommend staying in the Serengeti instead.
Dry season
Max temp 80 F
Slim chance of rain
Perfect water conditions
Great photography ops
No mosquitos
March - Good month to visit Kenya
- Although March could start off humid with high temperatures, it also sees the start of the green-season rains sweep in.
- March in Kenya is shoulder season which means availability, and costs are less with fewer tourists overall.
- Before the rains, wildlife is easy to spot as species congregate around the waterholes.
- Once the rains have settled in, some properties close and many tracks become muddy and sometimes impassable.
- The kaskazi, dry north-easterly monsoon winds, are blowing in on the coast.
Green/Dry season
Max temp 82 F
Start of the rains
Lush landscape
African Arts festival
Great photography
April - Mixed month to visit Kenya
- April is the beginning of green season, during which temperatures fall and sunshine hours decrease.
- Kenya in April is a mixed month, as the wildlife might seek shelter while there’s rain, so sightings can be tricky.
- Properties tend to be quieter, due to all the rain, and prices are usually lower, as it is not peak season.
- Park roads become very boggy in the long rains – this can interfere with both vehicle and walking safaris.
- A safari in Kenya in April offers exciting opportunities for wildlife and landscape photography, due to verdant vegetation and spectacular skies.
Rain season
Max temp 80 F
Lots of rain
Lots of availability
Lots of mosquitos
Dramatic photography
May - Mixed month to visit Kenya
- Kenya in May is characterised by the long rains, with heavy rainfall making for tricky wildlife sightings and reduced vehicle access through safari areas.
- However, due to all the rain, properties are quieter and accommodation prices are at their lowest.
- This season appeals to safari aficionados, as spotting wildlife amidst tall grasses presents quite a challenge.
- It really is very wet, so not a good month for sunseekers.
- Landscapes are at their greenest, with a lot of colorful flowers.
Rain season
Max temp 80 F
Lots of rain
Good value & availability
Blooming landscapes
Lots of mosquitos
June - Good month to visit Kenya
- Emerging from the long rains, June is a great time of year to visit Kenya, with pleasant temperatures and wildlife sightings on the rise.
- Properties start to book up, but June is quieter than July and August, which are peak Great Migration months and also school holidays.
- The weather in Kenya in June is a great time to visit if you have children. The lack of sun and humidity makes for a more comfortable time to be on safari.
- Costs are typically high season rates.
- Amboseli National Park is excellent for seeing elephant.
Shoulder/peak season
Max temp 79 F
Some rain
Book early
Great month for families
A few mosquitos
July - Good month to visit Kenya
- July is the best time to visit Kenya, as it's Great Migration time!
- The first herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelles enter the Maasai Mara for the thrilling river crossings.
- It’s dry season, so the weather in Kenya in July is cooler and drier overall, and it is a superb month for safari everywhere.
- Properties tend to book up at record speed, as July is a school vacation month, and accommodation is at its most expensive.
- The huge herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelles attract big cats and fearsome crocodiles.
Dry and peak season
Max temp 79 F
No rain
Great migration
Climb Mt Kilimanjaro
Best month to visit
August - Best month to visit Kenya
- The dry conditions ensure fantastic wildlife viewing throughout Kenya’s parks and reserves in August.
- This month sees the Great Migration herds settling to graze in the Maasai Mara.
- With water supplies drying up, wildlife clusters around permanent sources in massive concentrations, becoming increasingly easy to view.
- August is busy and rates are high – it’s good to plan ahead, both for location and property availability.
- The weather in Kenya in August is the perfect time for beach vacations – there’s low humidity and virtually no rain.
Dry and peak season
Max temp 81 F
No rain
YZ favorite month
Great migration
Busy with high rates
September - Best month to visit Kenya
- September is a superb month to visit Kenya, as the Great Migration herds are grazing in the Maasai Mara.
- This is the dry season, and so there’s generally excellent wildlife viewing to enjoy as wildlife clusters around scarce water sources.
- Rates are high, so make sure to book early, but September in Kenya is usually slightly better than in July and August for availability.
- The clear conditions are ideal for wildlife photography.
- The sheer volume of wildebeest on the plains entices lion, leopard, and other predators to hunt and kill.
Peak season
Max temp 82 F
Small chance of rain
High rates
Add some beach time
Flamingo on the lakes
October - Best month to visit Kenya
- October is the last month before the short rains begin – wildlife viewing is fantastic due to dry conditions.
- This is a great month to see the mega-herds of the Great Migration as they graze in the Maasai Mara.
- There’s good availability of properties and October in Kenya heralds a significant decrease in prices.
- The wildlife concentrates around the waterholes making for fantastic photo opportunities.
- Vast numbers of migratory birds start flying in – Amboseli and the western side of Lake Nakuru are particularly brilliant for birders.
Dry season
Max temp 82 F
Small chance of rain
Great migration month
Few mosquitos
Fantastic photo ops
November - Good month to visit Kenya
- Kenya in November is the beginning of the short rains in Kenya.
- Wildlife viewing becomes trickier as the month progresses, but the bush looks beautiful and there are newborns about.
- Prices can be quite a lot lower than during dry-season months, as visitor numbers are low.
- The birdlife is brilliant, as there are plenty of migratory birds.
- With the onset of the rains, landscapes become beautifully lush and green.
Shoulder season
Max temp 82 F
Rainy
Great birdlife
Lush landscape for photos
Short rains bring bugs
December - Best month to visit Kenya
- A safari in December in Kenya is a dream destination for a Christmas/New Year holiday, as the short rains clear from mid-month or so.
- Some properties close during December in Kenya while others get busy – with less availability, prices tend to increase.
- Go with a group and book an exclusive-use property to avoid disappointment over availability.
- Days can be hot, more so towards the end of the month – if you are on the coast, you’ll relish the fresh sea breeze.
- Landscapes are lush, and it is a good month for wildlife photography!
Dry season
Max temp 80 F
Rainy
Rains bring mosquitos
Add beach time
Book early
Let us help you create your own bespoke African safari.
Get matched with a dedicated Yellow Zebra expert and plan the adventure of a lifetime
The top Kenya national parks to explore on your Kenyan safari
Luxury Kenya safari lodges and camps
Our portfolio includes some of the best safari lodges in Kenya, ranging from classic, luxury, and good value for you to explore.
Top safari trips in Kenya
All of our Kenya safari tours are tailor-made, designed entirely to suit your needs and budgets. The sample trips below are intended to give you inspiration for your safari vacation.
Get matched with a dedicated YZ expert.
Let us help you create the best safari suited to you.
Discover Kenya
Start Planning Your Bespoke African Safari
Expert Safari Knowledge.
Call us and get matched with a dedicated YZ expert; boasting first-hand African safari experience.
Tailor-made African Safaris
Plan the adventure of a lifetime. We create bespoke luxury safari experiences unlike any other.
A Bespoke Itinerary
Our online portal has your itinerary, which you can customize. All you need to do is pack your suitcase.
Carefree Travel
You’ll be looked after every step of the way. Our experts are on hand 24/7 should you need anything.
