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Kenya is one of Africa’s most popular destinations. Birthplace of the safari, it remains one of the best destinations in Africa for safaris.
Not only will you find the Big Five in Kenya, but also some of Africa’s top beaches, the spectacle of the Great Wildebeest Migration and Africa’s second highest mountain!
There are two important factors to consider when planning your holiday. The first is whether it is safe to visit Kenya. The second is the best time to visit Kenya.
What are Kenya’s two seasons?
Split roughly in half by the equator, Kenya has two seasons rather than four. In the place of spring, summer, autumn (fall) and winter, Kenya has dry seasons and wet seasons. The latter are also called green seasons.
So far so simple. Here, Kenya’s two seasons get a little more complicated. That’s because there’s no single dry season or single wet season in Kenya.
Instead, like the country itself, both dry seasons and wet seasons in Kenya are divided in half.
One dry season runs from December to March. This is Kenya’s summer. The second lasts from July to October and corresponds with Kenya’s winter.
It’s then easy to see when Kenya’s wet seasons are. One lasts from April to the end of June, while a shorter period of rain begins in November and carries on into the start of December.
What is the weather in Kenya like?
If you’re new to Africa you might think the weather in Kenya is going to be hot, hot, hot. In which case, you best keep reading!
There are multiple factors which affect Kenya’s weather, including its position on the equator, its altitude (Nairobi sits at an elevation of 1,800 meters or almost 6,000 feet) and its coastline on the Indian Ocean and Lake Victoria.
Visitors to Kenya can expect to see relatively stable temperatures year-round. These temperatures do depend exactly where you are in the country – on the coast, on Mount Kenya, or on the plains of the Maasai Mara.
Taking the country as a whole, you should be prepared for temperatures that can reach 35°C (95°F) in the middle of the day. Night time temperatures rarely fall below 20°C (68°F), although early mornings can feel chillier, especially in Nairobi before sunrise at 6.30 am. Sunset in Kenya is at around 6.30 pm.
The coldest month of the year in Kenya is July. The hottest month in Kenya is usually March. Wet bulb temperatures, which take humidity into account, can make Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast and the shores of Lake Victoria feel much warmer.
When is the best time to visit Kenya on safari?
Logic would dictate that the best time to visit Kenya is during one of the annual dry seasons. During these months, skies tend to be clear, making optimum conditions for photography.
By the same token, the wildlife you’ve come to find will be conveniently located around remaining vegetation and waterholes as they seek out what little water remains. It makes the dry seasons the most popular time to visit Kenya. This means there’s a good chance Kenya’s top camps will be fully booked, especially around the Christmas and New Year periods.
The wet seasons of Kenya shouldn’t be immediately discounted either. For one thing, you’ll never experience 24 hours of endless rainfall, leaving plenty of time to head out on safari. Rain showers tend to be short and sharp.
At the same time, the storm clouds create some epic sunsets, while Kenya’s national parks are much quieter, giving you a more exclusive feel at no extra cost.
When to see the Great Wildebeest Migration in Kenya
The Great Wildebeest Migration is the annual movement of around two million wildebeest, zebra, and impala.
Their circular course following the rains in search of fresh grass takes them from Tanzania to the south into Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve.
The exact timings when this happens is largely dependent on the rains, which can shift by days or even a couple of weeks.
However, in most years, the Great Wildebeest Migration reaches Kenya in July. Their numbers continue to increase in the northern parts of the Maasai Mara through August.
One of the most dramatic and sought-after periods of the migration is when the massed herds reach the Mara River in either September or October.
Here they pause, with predators close behind them and crocodiles awaiting them in the river, making the river crossing a tumult of activity.
If there’s one downside to visiting Kenya for this spectacle, it’s the number of other safari vehicles you’ll find, each jostling for the best position on the river’s banks.
A full lowdown on the entire route can be found in my guide to when and where to see the Great Wildebeest Migration.
When is the best time to climb Mount Kenya?
The second highest peak in Africa, Mount Kenya rises above the clouds to a height of 5,199 m (just over 17,000 feet).
A serious undertaking even for practiced hikers, most walkers are satisfied with reaching Point Lenana. Getting there requires plenty of grit and determination, but no equipment more technical than a good pair of hiking boots and camping gear.
Both must be fit for getting wet – parts of the trek pass through boggy areas – and freezing overnight temperatures.
Most hikers arrive on Mount Kenya’s slopes during the dry season months of January, February, March and July, August, September.
But there’s nothing stopping you hiking to the summit of Mount Kenya at any time of year.
There are four main routes to choose between. Starting from the east and west of Mount Kenya National Park, walkers can therefore avoid repeating their steps.
Begin on the Sirimon or Naro Moru routes to the west. Then join the Chogoria or Ithanguni routes heading east, having reached the top of the walk at 4,985 m.
Alternatively, complete the trans-mountain hike in the opposite direction. You’ll want around five days to do the mountain justice either way.
It’s always best to summit Mount Kenya on an organised tour providing a guide and porter, such as this one starting from Nairobi’s international airport. Without them you can soon get stuck not knowing which way to turn.
Best time to visit Lamu and the Kenyan coast
Kenya’s coastline is 536 km (333 miles) in length. It drifts from the white sands of Diani Beach to the medieval heart of Mombasa.
It then stretches along coastal forest, mangrove, and epic snorkelling and scuba diving to Lamu Island, a bastion of traditional Islamic living.
For beach escapes with guaranteed sunshine, look no further than Kenya’s dry seasons (December to March and July to October).
Unfortunately, humidity along the Kenyan coast is also at its highest from December to March. It’s at its worst in the afternoons, making them ideal times for sitting by a hotel pool or slipping beneath the waves with a snorkel mask.
Temperatures on the coast are at their coolest between July and September. These months are therefore great for discovering the culture and traditions of the region.
It’s also possible to get a bargain at this time of year because its low season in Kenya. If you’re thinking of heading to Lake Victoria, weather conditions follow a similar pattern to coastal regions.
When to visit Kenya
The best time to visit Kenya is thankfully relatively easy to work out. Stick to the dry season months of December to March and July to October and you can be sure of good weather across the country. Don’t discount the green seasons though, since there’s still plenty of opportunity to uncover Kenya’s gems between showers!
