Kenya Seasonality, at a glance

June to October is the long dry season in Kenya, and the best time to visit the country. Generally, the further into the dry season you go, the better the game viewing gets. 

In November and December, there is a short rainy season, and the country is particularly beautiful at this time of year as plants are in bloom and there is a wealth of migratory birds. 

From January to March, the dry conditions return, and it's a great window to visit as you get the benefit of the beautiful landscapes following the rains, whilst keeping mostly dry!

The long rainy season takes place from April to May. 

In the Maasai Mara, the dry season from June to October is the best time to visit for the wildebeest migration. If you do head down in the rainy seasons, you'll benefit from cheaper rates and quite drives, but you might get wet!

Maasai Mara landscape at sunrise, Kenya

When is the best time to visit Kenya?

  • Kenya in January

    January is a great time to visit Kenya. Temperatures are high (~30 °C), and skies are blue.

    January is the middle of the short dry season that runs from December to February. Conditions are great for safaris across the country. The humidity is surprisingly high this time of year, around 70%. 

  • Kenya in February

    February is one of the hottest and driest months in Kenya.

    February sees less rainfall than January, which means humidity is lower, so day's feel more pleasant and slightly less muggy.

    Seasonal rates will apply from December to February, coinciding with higher traveller numbers. 

  • Kenya in March

    March is the beginning of the wet season in Kenya.

    Heavy, persistent rainfall begins in March, although these are intermittent and tend to increase in frequency as you get closer to April. 

    The conditions usually hold up for safaris, so it's perfectly fine to visit in March if that's your only window of opportunity.

  • Kenya in April

    April is the start of the long rainy season in Kenya. April and May are typically the worst months to visit the country.

    The country sees an average of 230 mm of rainfall in April, and over 80% humidity. Rains can interrupt safaris, and sometimes result in last minute cancellations of excursions. 

    Some lodges are closed in April and May.

  • Kenya in May

    May is the peak of the rainy season in Kenya. Many lodges will be closed, and there are long and heavy rains throughout the month.

  • Kenya in June

    After two months of heavy rain, June is the tail end of the rainy season and the showers begin to taper off. Most lodges are open again, there is a good amount of sunshine and blue skies.

    One benefit of visiting immediately after the rainy season is the country is at its most beautiful. All flowers are in bloom, and the country is verdant. 

    June sees about 15 mm of rain on average compared to 120 mm in May. 

  • Kenya in July

    July is the start of the long dry season in Kenya, and one of the best months to visit the country. 

    The skies are blue and sun shining, and the flowers are still in full bloom following the rainy season. 

    Seasonal rates will apply for July. 

  • Kenya in August

    August is the least humid month of the year in Kenya, and one of the best months to visit. 

    Many of the smaller water holes dry up in August, meaning the animals flock to the larger lakes for water. This makes wildlife sightings much easier. 

  • Kenya in September

    Temperatures remain high in September and chances of rain are low.

    September is the last month of the long dry season, as October is the beginning of the short wet season in Kenya.

  • Kenya in October

    While the dry season is officially over, conditions typically hold up for safaris in October. The first half of the month avoids most of the rain, but showers begin to pick up as you edge closer to November. 

  • Kenya in November

    November is the start of the short rainy season that runs until the end of the year.

    The month sees unpredictable showers, and temperatures remain high leading to high humidity. 

    Waterproofs are a must if travelling in November, and you should benefit from lower prices as traveller numbers decrease in November.

  • Kenya in December

    December is a great month to visit Kenya. The rains are typically short, and taper off towards the end of the month.

    Temperatures are pleasant, and wildlife sightings are some of the best in December due to migratory patterns and mating seasons. 

    Spending Christmas or New Years by the pristine waters and sandy beaches of Kenya is another popular option. 

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Brilliant says

Kenya is equatorial, which means it doesn't experience a winter and summer. Temperatures are consistent throughout the year, and rainfall is all that differentiates the seasons. 

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