The Best Time of Year to Visit Kenya

To help make your dream safari holiday or family adventure one to remember, discover the best time to visit Kenya with Scott Dunn.

  • Luxury Kenya holidays when the weather is best
  • Guidance and support around-the-clock from our award-winning travel team
  • The best safari lodges and luxury hotels for every season
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Best time to visit

As the equator runs through the country, Kenya’s weather is consistently warm making it an incredible holiday destination all year round. With sunshine and temperatures above 30°C most of the time, it hits the spot for winter sun, as well as delivering in the summer holidays too. The country’s peak season is during the Great Migration, from August to October, while it’s a good idea to avoid the rainy season in April and May. Whether you want a magical safari experience, to discover its beautiful beaches or both, we will create your perfect holiday at the best time to go to Kenya to suit you.

Climate guide for Kenya

, Kenya

Average temperatures (Celsius) and rainfall (mm)

Jan
23°C 5mm
Feb
27°C 5mm
Mar
30°C 11mm
Apr
35°C 25mm
May
39°C 23mm
Jun
41°C 19mm
Jul
42°C 25mm
Aug
41°C 23mm
Sep
40°C 23mm
Oct
36°C 22mm
Nov
29°C 16mm
Dec
24°C 9mm
Jan
32°C 1mm
Feb
33°C 2mm
Mar
33°C 6mm
Apr
32°C 9mm
May
30°C 10mm
Jun
29°C 5mm
Jul
28°C 2mm
Aug
28°C 4mm
Sep
29°C 5mm
Oct
30°C 6mm
Nov
31°C 6mm
Dec
32°C 4mm
Jan
29°C 9mm
Feb
31°C 10mm
Mar
31°C 17mm
Apr
30°C 27mm
May
29°C 14mm
Jun
28°C 5mm
Jul
28°C 2mm
Aug
30°C 3mm
Sep
30°C 7mm
Oct
30°C 9mm
Nov
30°C 15mm
Dec
28°C 13mm
Jan
29°C 4mm
Feb
31°C 4mm
Mar
30°C 8mm
Apr
25°C 12mm
May
24°C 7mm
Jun
23°C 6mm
Jul
22°C 1mm
Aug
23°C 3mm
Sep
25°C 3mm
Oct
26°C 4mm
Nov
24°C 7mm
Dec
25°C 5mm
Jan
26°C 0mm
Feb
27°C 36mm
Mar
27°C 0mm
Apr
25°C 0mm
May
24°C 0mm
Jun
23°C 0mm
Jul
21°C 0mm
Aug
21°C 0mm
Sep
25°C 0mm
Oct
26°C 0mm
Nov
24°C 1mm
Dec
24°C 0mm

Due to its equatorial location, temperatures don’t change much between the summer and winter months, and the best time to travel to Kenya is shaped more by the rains. The annual deluge falls in April and May, which is known as the longer rainy season and will see more tropical, torrential rains. Between mid-November and mid-December is a second rainy season, which can see shorter, less frequent rainfall that doesn’t last all day.

The best time to visit Kenya for safari is the dry season (July to October). With its warm and sunny days, this period is perfect for spotting wildlife and offers a chance to witness one of the animal kingdom’s most magnificent phenomena: the annual wildebeest migration (August to October).

The rainy season in Kenya (April to May) sees lush, greener landscapes, and the arrival of migratory birds. Larger animals are still around too, and while it can be harder to see in the longer grass, it’s a fantastic time for wildlife photography. However, the rainy season is not without its challenges, roads can become impassable in remote areas and some lodges and camps close at this time of year.

For those seeking a more exclusive experience, there’s Kenya’s secret season between November and March. Dramatic skies, warm weather, and fewer crowds make this window, before the rainy season, a truly rewarding time to visit, and more cost-effective.

Seasonal Guide for Visiting Kenya

While Kenya doesn’t have distinct seasons, the different months do provide different experiences and when you can travel will dictate where in Kenya you should visit. Read on for our month-by-month guide to making the most of this spectacular country.

Meet Our Kenya Experts

Our team of Africa & Safari specialists are waiting to help you book your next adventure. Contact us today to start planning your tailor-made trip.

Best Time to Visit Kenya FAQs

  • How far in advance should I book a holiday to Kenya?

    You should contact one of our travel experts to start planning a holiday to Kenya at least a year before you want to travel, particularly if you want to witness the Great Migration, which is the most popular time to travel. It is specifically important for families to book well in advance too, as some lodges will only allow one family with children to stay at a time.

  • How many days in Kenya is enough?

    To fully enjoy what Kenya has to offer, a trip of 7 to 10 days is recommended. This duration is ample to explore key attractions, aligning with the best time of year to visit Kenya. It allows for a diverse itinerary, including wildlife safaris during Kenya’s dry season and relaxation in coastal areas, perhaps during December or January. For an extended experience, particularly during the best month to visit Kenya for specific activities, consider staying up to two weeks.

  • When is the best time to visit the Kenyan coast?

    The best time to visit the Kenyan coast is January and February when the area has the least rainfall. However, places like Diani, Watamu and Lamu don’t see much rainfall even in the rainy season, so can be visited all year, only avoiding April and May.

  • When is the best time to visit Kenya and Tanzania?

    Kenya and Tanzania are superb holiday destinations year-round, although we recommend avoiding travel in April and May which is when the heaviest rainfall occurs, roads and airstrips are often flooded and many of the lodges close. The dry season runs from June until the end of October, and short, sharp bursts of rain every few days can come in November. December until March are often hotter and more humid months, with sporadic rainfall but still a great time to travel.

  • When is the best time to visit Kenya and Uganda?

    Uganda can be visited at any time of year as most of the country has the perfect tropical climate. Temperatures average about 26°C during the day and 16°C at night. The hottest months are from December to February, then the humidity increases between March and May when the long rains fall. The short rains in Uganda fall from early October to mid-December, which matches Kenya’s weather pattern too. So, the best time to travel to Kenya and Uganda is between June and September for safari and December and February for tagging on some beach time on the Kenyan coast after seeing the gorillas in Uganda.

Call us on 020 3468 1971 to start planning your holiday

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