The best time to visit Kenya is during the dry seasons, from January to March and July through October. If you want to see the great migration at Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve, wish to climb Mount Kenya, or visit the beaches along Kenya's coast, scroll down for more detailed information.
Best time to go on Safari in Kenya
The best time to go on safari in Kenya and experience a huge density and diversity of wildlife, is when the annual migration of millions of wildebeest, zebra and gnu's descend on the Mara plains with predators close behind. The best time to see this wildlife spectacle is from July to October. Other parks in Kenya are also excellent and the best time to visit these would be during the dry seasons -- January through March and July through October.
With the scarcity of water during the dry seasons, the animals tend to gather in more concentrated numbers around permanent water holes, rivers and lakes, so they are easier to find. The vegetation is also less lush which simply means that viewing animals from a distance is easier.
The best time to enjoy Kenya's magnificent bird life is from January to March.
Best time to enjoy a beach holiday in Kenya
Whether you want to explore the historical Swahili town of Lamu, or enjoy the picture perfect beaches of Malinidi and Watamu, the best time to go is December to March. The coastal temperatures remain steadily hot for most of the year, but on the beach the humidity is kept at bay by the ocean breeze. The wettest months are April to May and there's also a short rainy season from October to November. Swahili Cultural festivals are often held during November and Ramadan may affect your vacation in this predominantly Muslim area of Kenya, see more about traveling in Africa during Ramadan.
Best time to trek Mount Kenya
Mount Kenya has permanent snow at its summit, so it's cold year round. At night at the higher elevations the temperature can drop as low as 14 Fahrenheit (-10 Celsius). Typically the early mornings on the mountain are sunny and dry, and clouds often form by noon. It is possible to hike Mount Kenya throughout the year but it gets more difficult during the rainy seasons from mid-March to mid-June and October to mid-December. The best time to go is between January - February, and July - October.
Best Time to Visit Northern Kenya
Northern Kenya is a fairly arid region with little rainfall and abundant sunshine year round. This is camel country. Average temperatures vary between 104 and 68 Fahrenheit (40 and 20 Celsius). The best time to visit this area is June, July, August and December. Northern Kenya is sparsely populated, home of the Samburu and several other traditional tribes. It is filled with natural, rugged beauty.
Kenya's Climate and Average Temperatures
It's generally sunny, dry and not too hot for most of the year in Kenya despite being situated on the equator. The main rainy seasons are from March to May and November to December but the amount of rainfall varies year to year. Central Kenya is situated on a plateau and the altitude keeps the heat index at a comfortable level. The coastal areas are obviously hotter, but the ocean breeze also makes that region (Mombasa, Lamu and Malindi) fairly comfortable for most of the year. Mount Kenya is high enough to have permanent snow and it will often freeze at night. Western Kenya is generally hot and humid and Northern Kenya is generally hot and dry. More details and average temperatures for Nairobi and Mombasa.
Tanzania can be visited during all seasons. The weather is coolest and driest from late June to September, although in July and August, hotels and park lodges, especially in the north, are at their fullest. October and November are very pleasant, with fewer crowds and a slowly greening-up landscape as the short rains begin in many areas. From late December until February, temperatures are high, but not oppressive. Watch out for high-season hotel prices around the Christmas–New Year holidays, as well as during the July-August peak.
During the main rainy season (March to May), you can save substantially on accommodation costs, and enjoy landscapes that are green and full of life. However, some secondary roads may be impassable, and this is the time when many hotels close for a month or so, especially along the coast. Malaria risk, especially in coastal and low-lying areas, also tends to be higher at this time.
