If your main objective is to see large quantities of animals, then the easiest time of year to do this is between June and October - Tanzania's dry season. This is particularly the case in Northern and Southern Ruaha and Selous in Southern Tanzania, Katavi in Western Tanzania as well as Mahale Mountains on Lake Tanganyika, although in June and early July the chimps can still be high up in the mountains.
The Ngorongoro Crater Highlands can still be full of flowers in June and July but be prepared for changeable temperatures, it being often cold with low cloud through these months. Tarangire in Northern Tanzania, which acts as a dry season refuge for wildlife from the entire Maasai Steppe is at its best for game between late July to late October, but is always good for elephant and in the green season (December to May) has tremendous birdlife.
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NORTH: |
Weather: Price: Popularity: |
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Rains End Medium costs |
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Dry Season |
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One of the best times to visit Kenya is from July to September, during the country’s dry season, which also coincides with the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra.
The rainy seasons are also good times to travel, as there are fewer visitors and you can admire the striking emerald vegetation. December in particular is a great time to travel to Kenya, since the rains are short and you have the chance to see newborn animals and migratory bird species. Only the peak of the ‘long rains’ in March, April and May are very wet.
| Destination | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amboseli National Park | 86°F 2" | 88°F 2" | 86°F 3" | 82°F 6" | 79°F 3" | 77°F 1" | 75°F 0" | 77°F 0" | 81°F 0" | 84°F 1" | 84°F 4" | 82°F 3" |
| Lamu Archipelago | 86°F 0" | 88°F 0" | 88°F 1" | 88°F 5" | 86°F 12" | 86°F 6" | 84°F 3" | 84°F 2" | 84°F 2" | 86°F 2" | 86°F 2" | 86°F 1" |
| Masai Mara National Reserve | 82°F 3" | 82°F 4" | 82°F 5" | 81°F 7" | 79°F 4" | 79°F 2" | 77°F 1" | 79°F 2" | 81°F 2" | 82°F 2" | 81°F 4" | 81°F 4" |
| Nairobi | 79°F 2" | 81°F 2" | 81°F 4" | 77°F 8" | 75°F 6" | 73°F 1" | 72°F 1" | 73°F 1" | 77°F 1" | 79°F 2" | 75°F 5" | 77°F 3" |
| Samburu National Reserve | 90°F 1" | 93°F 1" | 91°F 2" | 90°F 4" | 90°F 2" | 90°F 0" | 88°F 0" | 88°F 0" | 91°F 0" | 91°F 2" | 88°F 6" | 88°F 2" |
| Watamu | 88°F 1" | 88°F 0" | 90°F 1" | 88°F 7" | 84°F 11" | 82°F 6" | 82°F 4" | 82°F 3" | 84°F 2" | 86°F 3" | 88°F 3" | 88°F 2" |
The height of summer is an excellent time to spot wildlife, both on the ground and in the air. Temperatures are hot but there will be the odd shower to cool things down, while the landscape is lush with long grass from the 'short rains' that fall in November and December. Down on the coast, the days are hot and sunny and the sea is at its clearest.
Another great month for spotting wildlife, both on the ground and in the air. Temperatures remain high and the odd shower may fall, while there should still be long grass covering the landscape from the 'short rains' that fall in November and December.
The weather gets wetter as Kenya approaches the 'long rains', but game viewing is still good.
The 'long rains' of April and May can turn the tracks through the parks into quagmires and make the beaches along the Indian Ocean coastline hot and very wet, so this isn't the best time to travel.
The 'long rains' of April and May can turn the tracks through the parks into quagmires and the beaches along the Indian Ocean coastline hot and very wet, so this isn't the best time to travel.
The rains have finished for the most part, although some light showers are still possible, and the nights can be cool at altitude. The long dry season is on the horizon, and while grasses are high, making game harder to spot at times, it is a beautiful time to visit. People start anticipating the arrival of the Great Migration into the Masai Mara.
The weather is temperate and dry but not too dusty, with occasional showers still possible, making this a good time to visit overall. The first herds arrive into the Masai Mara from Tanzania and peak travel and game viewing season is just around the corner.
The temperatures are pleasant and it's mostly dry, making it one of the peak times to visit. Fantastic game viewing can be enjoyed now, with The Great Migration at its height in the Masai Mara providing lots of action at the river crossings as countless wildebeest and zebra gather and cross the Mara and Talek Rivers.
The weather is generally dry. The game viewing action continues in the Mara, and it is still excellent throughout Kenya for wildlife.
As the mercury slowly starts to rise, a few showers are possible. However, it's a lovely time to travel if you want to avoid the crowds but still have excellent game viewing opportunities. The migratory herds are leaving the Mara now, but excellent resident populations remain. All other Kenya destinations are great at this time of year.
The short rains are starting and the temperature is hotter, but the Mara, along with most other destinations, remains open. However, on the Laikipia Plateau many camps are closed. There is still good game viewing under the heavier skies and activities continue. Crowds dissipate and you can often make the most of some good deals.
The end of the year can be hot and potentially wet - it's the middle of the short rains, with some camps closed (particularly in the north) and some open. Where camps are open, wildlife viewing remains very good, with high bird numbers present.