Best Time to Visit Kenya

BEST TIME TO VISIT KENYA

Best Time to Visit Kenya on Safari – Best Climate and Weather for a Kenya Safari – When to go to Kenya – When to travel to Kenya for a safari – Understanding Kenya’s Safari Seasons – Before you go on a Kenya Safari.

The best time to Visit Kenya on Safari is between January and the end of March; the climate is mild, mostly dry and game viewing is at its peak. Naturally, this time is considered the best time to go to Kenya on safari but a rainy season visit – between mid-March to June and again between October and December – is well worth considering in order to avoid the peak-season crowds and to take advantage of cheaper, off-season rates on accommodation and tours.

If however, it’s a case of choosing when to go to Kenya for the wildebeest migration in Masai Mara Game Reserve, then go between mid-August and late October when the herds have returned from their months in Tanzania’s Serengeti.

The best time to visit Kenya beach destinations is a moot point: Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast is hot and humid all year round and rain can fall at any time. We would, however, recommend avoiding the coast during the mid-March to late May season when temperatures and rainfall are at their highest.

WEATHER & CLIMATE IN KENYA

Kenya lies on the equator and has a pleasant, tropical climate, but there are large regional climatic variations influenced by several factors, including altitude. Temperatures drop by about 6°C for every 1,000m you climb (or 3.5°F per 1,000ft). Kenya’s daytime temperatures average between 20°C/68°F and 28°C/82°F, but it is warmer on the coast. The coast is hot and humid all year round, but the heat is tempered by the monsoon winds. Kenya is too close to the equator to experience a real winter and summer. There is, however, both a Dry and Wet season.

DRY SEASON IN KENYA (June – October)

June, July, August, September & October – These are the coldest months. Temperatures vary significantly per region and because of their difference in altitude. Daytime temperatures are usually around 23°C/73°F at higher altitudes, such as the Masai Mara, and 28°C/82°F at lower altitudes, such as the coastal areas. During the Dry season, the sky is clear and the days are sunny. Early morning temperatures at higher altitude are typically 10°C/50°F. It is advisable to pack warm clothing, as morning game drives in open vehicles will be cold. There is very little rain in most of the country, so these are the least humid months, making it the best time to stay at one of Kenya’s beautiful beaches.

WET SEASON IN KENYA (November – May)

During the Wet season daytime temperatures are between 24°C/75°F and 27°C/81°F at higher altitudes. At lower altitudes, daytime temperatures are more consistent and hover around 30°C/86°F. Mornings stay cool at higher altitudes, and it is advisable to pack warm clothes for early morning game drives in open vehicles. From December to April, the humidity is intense in Tsavo and the coastal areas.

November & December – ‘Short rains’: A period of unpredictable, short rains between November and December that lasts about a month. The rain is sometimes heavy, but mostly falls in the late afternoon or evening, and will seldom have a negative impact on your safari.
January & February – During these months, a dry spell in the rainy season occurs with less rainfall. How long the spell lasts and when it takes place exactly is unpredictable.
March, April & May – ‘Long rains’: These months get the most rain, and there can be a downpour on a daily basis, although it seldom lasts the whole day. It’s very cloudy, especially in the highlands, including Aberdare NP and Laikipia Plateau. Humidity is higher and will be particularly noticeable in the coastal regions.

INTERESTED IN VISITING KENYA ON SAFARI?

[checklist]

Top Places to Visit in Kenya – Things to See & Do in Kenya.
Top Kenya Safaris & Tours

[/checklist]

Best Time to Visit Kenya