Kenya offers so much as a safari destination, but it’s crucial to choose the right time to travel to get the most out of your trip.
Of course, you can travel to the country at any time of the year and see various wildlife, but some months are more convenient than others. The best time for you will vary depending on what kind of experience you’re expecting.
Let’s look at what to expect when you travel to Kenya at certain times of the year and when it’s best for particular activities.
June to September
Kenya is an equatorial country, so there’s no summer or winter. Instead, there is the dry and wet season. The dry season lasts from June to September, and it’s the best time to visit Kenya due to good weather and abundant wildlife sightings.
The weather is sunny, and the skies are clear during these months, ensuring uninterrupted transport through game parks.
During the dry season, animals gather at watering holes due to water shortage, so it’s easy to catch sight of lots of wildlife within a short time on game drives.
Thanks to the dry weather, the visibility of wildlife is also enhanced by the thinner bushes.
July to September is also when the Great Migration happens, with thousands of wildebeests and zebras crossing the Mara River from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. However, due to the great weather and the Great Migration, Kenyan game parks are usually crowded during this season.
October to December
The wet season in Kenya begins in October and lasts until May. The short rains usually start in the middle of October and last until December. At this point, crowds at the parks lessen due to the weather, but it’s still possible to see many animals.
January to February
After the short rains of November to December, the first two months of the year usher a brief dry spell. There may be showers in January and February, but rarely. Since there’s mostly great weather during these months and it’s not the peak season, it’s a great time to visit if you’d like to avoid crowds.
March to May
There’s very low traffic in Kenyan destinations between March and May. This is because of the long rains, which start in March and last until May.
The weather makes it difficult to go on game drives, plus wildlife visibility is low because wildlife doesn’t gather together in search of water or grazing spots. This season’s high humidity, heat, and wetness also make it hard to enjoy the beach at the coast.
For Honeymooners
The dry season is a great time to come to Kenya, especially if the Great Migration is on your must-see list.
But, other times of the year are also great if you’re traveling to the Amboseli or Samburu National Parks. Due to the terrain of these areas, you’ll see plenty of wildlife in the plains throughout the year.
Amboseli National Park is an especially suitable all-year-round honeymoon destination because the Mt. Kilimanjaro backdrop provides a fantastic ambiance in all seasons.
For Big Five Safaris
The best time to see the big five is during the dry season between June and September. This is a great time because it also allows you to enjoy the Great Migration.
Besides Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru is an excellent destination to see the big five during this time of the year. If you’re interested in seeing Humpback whales at the coast, August to September is your best chance.
Photographing Tours
If you’d like to get photographs of various wildlife, the dry season is an excellent time to visit Kenya. The hallmark of this season is the wildebeest migration between June and September.
The beginning of the short rains in October is also a good time to travel since you’ll get a mixture of both lots of animals and green scenery. During this season, you can also witness large numbers of flamingos in Lake Baringo.
For Birdwatchers
Kenya has more than 1,162 bird species, far more than those found in North America or Europe. The Rift Valley is a birdwatchers’ paradise between September to April as more than 170 bird species migrate from Europe to escape winter.
During this time, you can see about 500-700 bird species around the Lake Naivasha, Lake Baringo, and Lake Bogoria destinations.
For the Migration
The end of July to the beginning of September is the best time to travel to Kenya to witness the great wildebeest migration. If you’re keen on watching the animals make the treacherous river crossing across the crocodile-infested Mara, July and August are the best months.
For a Very Short Visit
The dry season from June to September is the best time for a short visit to Kenya. It’s easy to see a lot of wildlife in all parks at this time, which is great if you don’t have lots of time to tour around. Thanks to the great weather, it’s also the best time to enjoy adventures at the coast.
To See the Best of the Country
Visiting Kenya during the dry season of June to September gives you the best opportunities to see the best of the country. Due to the dry weather, it’s easy to travel to off-road areas to see wildlife, the landscape, and visit local communities.