The best time to visit Kenya for a safari
Kenya lies on the equator, so there is no real summer or winter. What matters for a safari is the rain. The country has two dry seasons and two rainy seasons, and each has something to offer.
Late June to October: the long dry season
This is the classic safari season. The grass is short, animals gather near rivers and waterholes, and they are easier to find. It is also when the Great Migration is in the Masai Mara. Days are warm and sunny; early mornings on game drives can be cold, so bring a fleece. It is the busiest and most expensive time of year, especially in July and August.
December to March: the short dry season
Hot, dry and very good for game viewing, with fewer visitors than July and August once the Christmas and New Year holidays are over. Many animals give birth in this season, and it is an excellent time to combine a safari with the coast.
April and May: the long rains
Rain usually comes in heavy afternoon or evening showers rather than all day. The parks turn green, there are very few other vehicles, and many lodges offer their lowest rates. Some camps close for maintenance and a few roads become muddy, so we plan routes around that. Bird watching is at its best, with migrant species from Europe and Asia.
November: the short rains
Shorter, lighter showers, often in the afternoon. Game viewing stays good and prices are lower before the December holidays. A good month for travellers who are flexible.
The coast
Diani, Watamu and Mombasa are warm all year. The most settled weather is from December to March and from late June to October. April to June is the wettest period on the coast, and some beach hotels close for part of it.
Our advice
If you can only travel in a particular month, there is a good safari for it. Tell us when you are free and what you most want to see, and we will suggest the parks and lodges that are best at that time of year.
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