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When to go · Kenya

Kenya, month by month

The best months for Kenya: Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Months to avoid: Apr.

Month by month

  1. JanuaryGreatShort dry season: good game viewing, green landscapes, Christmas crowds gone after the first week.Masai Mara and the south-west: best weather · Central highlands and Nairobi: best weather · Southern savanna: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
  2. FebruaryGreatHot and dry; one of the best months for Amboseli and the coast.Masai Mara and the south-west: best weather · Central highlands and Nairobi: best weather · Southern savanna: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
  3. MarchMixedLong rains begin late in the month; low-season rates and quiet parks.Masai Mara and the south-west: fine · Central highlands and Nairobi: fine · Southern savanna: fineCrowds: Low · 3 festivals or holidays
  4. AprilAvoidWettest month: some Mara camps and coast hotels close; roads turn to mud.Masai Mara and the south-west: rainy · Central highlands and Nairobi: rainy · Southern savanna: rainyCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
  5. MayMixedRain eases toward month end; green season deals, but check which camps are open.Masai Mara and the south-west: rainy · Central highlands and Nairobi: rainy · Southern savanna: rainyCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
  6. JuneGoodDry season starts; Mara reserve still on the low fee until 30 June.Masai Mara and the south-west: fine · Central highlands and Nairobi: cool · Southern savanna: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
  7. JulyGreatMigration herds usually arrive in the Mara; Mara fee rises to US$200 a day from 1 July.Masai Mara and the south-west: best weather · Central highlands and Nairobi: cool · Southern savanna: best weatherCrowds: High
  8. AugustGreatPeak river-crossing month; book lodges 6–12 months ahead.Masai Mara and the south-west: best weather · Central highlands and Nairobi: cool · Southern savanna: best weatherCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
  9. SeptemberGreatCrossings continue; slightly fewer family travellers than August.Masai Mara and the south-west: best weather · Central highlands and Nairobi: best weather · Southern savanna: best weatherCrowds: High
  10. OctoberGreatHerds start drifting back south to the Serengeti; Mashujaa Day on 20 Oct.Masai Mara and the south-west: best weather · Central highlands and Nairobi: best weather · Southern savanna: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
  11. NovemberMixedShort rains: afternoon showers, fewer visitors, parks still open.Masai Mara and the south-west: fine · Central highlands and Nairobi: rainy · Southern savanna: rainyCrowds: Low
  12. DecemberMixedShort rains early in the month; coast and lodges full over Christmas.Masai Mara and the south-west: fine · Central highlands and Nairobi: fine · Southern savanna: fineCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays

Weather by region

How each climate zone rates each month.

Weather rating by region and month
RegionJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Masai Mara and the south-westMasai Mara, Naivasha, NakuruBestBestOKWetWetOKBestBestBestBestOKOK
Central highlands and NairobiNairobi, Mount Kenya, AberdaresBestBestOKWetWetCoolCoolCoolBestBestWetOK
Southern savannaAmboseli, Tsavo East and WestBestBestOKWetWetBestBestBestBestBestWetOK
CoastMombasa, Diani, Watamu, LamuBestBestHotWetWetWetOKOKBestBestOKBest
Northern drylandsSamburu, Laikipia, Lake TurkanaHotHotHotOKOKBestBestBestBestOKOKBest