​Best Time To Visit – Kenya

Anthony Ham
Expert
By Anthony Ham

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Kenya.

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Lonely Planet guide to Kenya.

Anthony is the author of the Lonely Planet guide to Kenya.

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The best months for visiting Kenya (and the best time for wildlife viewing) are during the Dry season from June to October. The wildebeest migration usually reaches the Masai Mara in July or August and remains in Kenya throughout September. It starts moving back to Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park around October. Wildlife viewing is good year-round, but this can differ for some parks, depending on the rains. There is a dry spell between the rains in January and February that is also a great time to visit.


2,212 Kenya Safaris
Best Time June to October and January and February (All parks)
High Season June to October and December to March (Some of the parks get very crowded, especially the Masai Mara, Amboseli and Lake Nakuru)
Low Season April and May (Some lodges and camps in high-rainfall areas close down)
Best Weather June to October (Little to no rainfall)
Worst Weather March, April and May (Peak of the Wet season)

June to October –Dry Season

  • Wildlife is easier to spot because the bush is thin and animals gather around water
  • It's unlikely to rain – the days are sunny with clear skies
  • There are fewer mosquitoes
  • August to October are the best months to see the wildebeest migration
  • It gets very busy and crowded in the most popular parks

Wildlife Photos

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+48 Photos Want To Visit

November to May –Wet Season

  • The scenery is beautiful and green
  • Rates drop because it's the low season
  • Newborn animals can be seen
  • Migratory birds are present from November to April
  • Except for March to May, rains are usually just short showers in the afternoon
  • During March to May the rains can be continuous
  • Some lodges and camps close down during part of the Wet season

Wildlife Photos

Lioness carrying her cub
Buffalo herd
+48 Photos

Best Time To Go by Major Park

The Masai Mara National Reserve offers great wildlife viewing throughout the year. In the peak of the rainy season, most other parks, especially in the highlands and along the coast, can be problematic with regards to heat, humidity and continuous rain. Some of the lodges and camps close as a result. The dry months offer quality wildlife viewing throughout Kenya.

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2,212 Kenya Safaris