When to go to Kenya: month by month

The right month for a trip to Kenya depends on what you want to see and where you go: the Masai Mara is at its best from July to October with the migration; January and February are good too. Long rains in April and May, short rains in November. Below you will find the twelve months for each area, the seasons and the events worth planning around.

The twelve months

Month	Kenya	Kenya coast
January	Ideal	Ideal
February	Ideal	Ideal
March	Good	Ideal
April	Low season	Low season
May	Low season	Not advised
June	Ideal	Low season
July	Ideal	Good
August	Ideal	Good
September	Ideal	Ideal
October	Ideal	Ideal
November	Low season	Good
December	Good	Ideal

The seasons

Kenya

Jul–Oct · Dry season and migration. Days between 24 and 28 °C, 12–15 °C at dawn in the Mara. The migration herds are in the Masai Mara and river crossings are possible from late July. High season: more vehicles at sightings.

Dec–Mar · Warm and dry. Between 27 and 30 °C, clear light: from Amboseli Kilimanjaro is often visible. Plenty of young animals in the parks.

Apr–May · Long rains. Frequent rain, muddy tracks, some camps closed.

Nov · Short rains. Showers usually late in the day, green landscapes, few visitors.

Kenya coast

Dec–Mar · Hot with calm seas. Between 30 and 32 °C, calm, clear water: the best time for snorkelling.

Apr–Jun · Rains. The rainy season, heaviest in May: rough seas and seaweed, some properties close.

Jul–Nov · Breezy. Between 27 and 29 °C, pleasant weather; in July and August the monsoon can make the sea choppy.

Not to be missed

Great Migration (July–October): The herds of wildebeest and zebra are in the northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara. The Mara River crossings can’t be predicted to the day: you need several nights in the same area.
Big Five (June–October): In the dry season the grass is short and animals gather around water: this is when you are most likely to see all five.
Green season (November–March): Green landscapes, young animals, migratory birds from Europe and fewer vehicles around sightings, with prices lower than in high season.

Area by area

Kenya. The Masai Mara is at its best from July to October with the migration; January and February are good too. Long rains in April and May, short rains in November.

Kenya coast. The sea is at its best from December to March and from September to October; May and June are the wettest months.