The Best Time to Visit Kenya

Kenya has a unique climate due to its position along the equator, with part of the country in the Northern Hemisphere and part in the Southern Hemisphere. The mountainous regions in Kenya have four seasons, but most of the country sees two, rainy and dry. Below is an idea of what to expect during each month of the year.

High Season:  June • July •  August

June, July, and August are the heart of the dry season and the peak for safaris. The drier weather leads to sparse foliage that makes it much easier to spot wildlife, especially as water sources diminish.

This means the animals are far more likely to gather at waterholes, a great time to see the famous wildlife, from elephants to lions, or the raw power of the Great Migration.

In addition, the weather is much cooler than in summer, giving you a more comfortable experience in which to search for wildlife, whose density is also greater due to the scant, scattered vegetation.

Shoulder Season:  March • April • May • September • October • November

March straddles the edge of the green season, with powerful but short rains leading to intermittent showers. The birdlife is prolific and animal viewing is truly wondrous in Kenya. The tall, long grass makes it difficult to spot smaller species.

Still, the sheer number of prey and predators scattered throughout the landscape is inspiring, especially when you consider the baby animals during calving season, such as wildebeest and zebra.

September and October are the heart of the cooler, dry season. These months also bring fewer crowds, so being out on a game drive can, at times, truly feel like a private experience. The weather remains typical of an equatorial country, but has dynamic differences between the regions, especially when comparing the plains of Maasai Mara to the slopes of Mount Kenya.

Low Season:  December • January • February

The green season is generally a quieter time in Kenya, with lower visitor numbers, meaning a more exclusive experience.

The scenery is spectacular, changing from browns to greens as the lush land invites animals from far and wide to come and explore. January and February bring new life to the bush, with calving season in full swing and the savannas and forests alive with youngsters.

Birds start to migrate a few months earlier, providing a cacophony of sound, especially in January and February. The coastal areas will be humid during this time.

Best Months: July • August • September

The best time for a game drive in Kenya is from July to September. The dry season brings sparse vegetation and limited waterholes, allowing for better wildlife viewing and more predictable locations in which to find all sorts of animals.

Undulates and predators tend to congregate near water, and as the weather is mild during the day, you can sit for ages at a sighting without worrying about getting too hot. Cool evenings call for cozy campfires and the bush is alive with the sounds of the wild.

Best Months: July • August • September • October

The Great Migration occurs between July and October, during the dry season in Kenya, and is a sight to behold. Approximately 1.5 million wildebeest, with herds of zebra and antelope, cross between the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti in search of greener pastures.

It is an unparalleled safari experience that, even when witnessed more than once, never feels the same. The classic scene encapsulates thundering hooves, impressive dust clouds, and an endless line of wildebeest leading to the horizon.

Best Months: January • February • July • August • September

The best time for a walking safari in Kenya is in January and February, as the short rains leave most of the day dry and fresh, and again in the dry season of July to September.

A walking safari offers you a very different experience than a classic game drive, giving you a much more intimate interaction with the wildlife and landscape. You can find insect life or signs of leopard prints in the dust, while also using the low-lying grass and sparse vegetation to your advantage to see the surrounding wildlife.

Best Months: November • December • January • February

The remarkable birdlife in Kenya is best experienced during the wet season between November and February.

Kenya is one of the best destinations for birding in Africa, with over 1,100 recorded species of endemic, near-endemic, and migratory birds.

No matter where you visit in the country, the birds offer an immersive experience, especially as the search for insects is brought about by the wet season.

Best Months: July • August • September

Kenya is a fantastic destination for a family safari. The dry season between July and September is the perfect ime for everyone to have an ideal experience. The diversity of scenery and activities makes Kenya a marvelous place for children of all ages.

The dry season brings about the best chance for seeing the traditional images of a safari, from elephants to buffalo, lions to giraffe. It also gives you the opportunity to see rarer wildlife, like the elephant shrew and leopard tortoise.

Best Months: July • August • September

The best time for a senior safari in Kenya is from July to September. While this represents peak season in major parks like the Maasai Mara, there are plenty of smaller parks with great visibility for taking advantage of the populous wildlife.

The weather is cooler and much more comfortable for long hours in vehicles exploring the wilderness, and the opportunities for spotting the famous animals are greater as they congregate around limited water sources.

Best Months: August • September • October

Kenya is a sensational place for a couple’s getaway from August to October, providing romance and adventure intertwined with the timeless beauty of a traditional safari experience.

Whether you are looking for an unforgettable honeymoon or an exciting couple’s escape, Kenya can give you luxury with views of unadulterated majesty stemming from the untouched wilderness. Spend a few nights at the end on Mombasa’s pristine beaches or Tanzania’s Zanzibar to round off a truly romantic escape.

Best Months: December • January • February

The green season in Kenya spreads through spring and summer, when rainfall is at its peak across the country. The lush greenery and flourishing wetlands make the summer months a birding paradise, with migratory birds abounding.

Spring and summer are also the calving season, with January providing a fantastic time to witness babies populating the grasslands, colorful birds swooping into the trees, and short rains cooling down the afternoons.

By February, the green season is in full swing, with calves and birdlife prolific across the country, and the beaches offering a reprieve from the lowland heat.

Activities: Game drives • Bird-watching activities • Cultural excursions • Calvingseason • Beach trips

Best Months: July • August • September

Kenya straddles the equator, dividing the seasons into rainy or dry. Fall and winter are generally dry, giving you peak safari time, but parks are known to be busy due to the visibility of wildlife and the renowned Great Migration moving into Kenya.

The cooler days and crisp nights, coupled with fantastic game drives, will give you plenty of time to enjoy the compelling beauty of nature and experience wildlife in its natural habitat. Enjoy quieter September, as many travelers return home at the edge of peak season.

As the end of winter leads to spring, the weather is lovely along the coastline for great beach and bush trips

Activities: Great Migration safaris • Safari walks • Game drives • Beach escapes

Kenya is a haven for wildlife and wilderness, with ample opportunities to experience the bounty of natural wonder, no matter the season. With so many fascinating places to visit, knowing the type of experiences you want could help decide the best time to explore the Massai Mara or the Laikipia Plateau.

Zicasso’s Kenya travel guide has more helpful tips and information on how to craft your ultimate safari adventure, or find more inspiration in our Kenya safaris and tours.