Best time to visit Kenya: a month-by-month guide

The best time to visit Kenya for a safari is the dry season from July to October, when the wildebeest migration is usually in the Masai Mara and animals gather near water. January and February are a second dry window that is often quieter. The long rains, roughly April and May, are the wettest period, with green landscapes, fewer visitors and some muddy tracks.

Kenya's seasons in brief

Kenya straddles the equator, so the year is defined by two rainy seasons rather than summer and winter. The long rains fall from about March or April to May, and the short rains usually arrive around November. Between them come two dry periods: a long one from about late June to October and a shorter, hotter one from about January to February. Rain on safari tends to come in afternoon storms, so game drives often continue even in the wetter months.

Altitude shapes the temperature. Nairobi sits high on a plateau and has mild days and cool nights, especially from June to August, while the coast around Diani Beach is hot and humid all year.

Month-by-month guide

Regional differences

Masai Mara and the Rift Valley

The Masai Mara is at its busiest from July to October, when the migrating herds arrive from the Serengeti and river crossings are most likely; their exact timing changes every year. Resident lions, cheetahs and leopards make it worthwhile outside those months too. Rift Valley lakes such as Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha can be visited all year.

Amboseli and Tsavo

In Amboseli, the dry months from June to October and again in January and February concentrate elephants around the swamps. Kenya Wildlife Service notes that Kilimanjaro is most often visible early in the morning and in the afternoon on clear days; it is frequently hidden by cloud around midday. Tsavo East and West follow a similar pattern, with the dry seasons best for game viewing.

The coast

Diani's driest, sunniest months run from December to March and again from July to October. The long rains, usually April to June, bring heavy showers, rougher seas and seaweed on the beach. Divers and snorkellers generally prefer the calmer, clearer water from about October to March, while kitesurfers favour the windier monsoon periods.

The migration in Kenya

The wildebeest migration is a single loop shared with Tanzania's Serengeti. The herds typically reach the Masai Mara around July, stay through August and September, and begin moving south again around October. River crossings are dramatic but unpredictable, and a few days in the reserve gives you the best chance of seeing one. If you want to follow the herds earlier in the year, our Tanzania destination page covers the calving season on the southern Serengeti.

Festivals and cultural events

• Maulidi in Lamu Old Town marks the month of the Prophet's birthday, so its dates follow the Islamic calendar and shift each year.
• The Lamu Cultural Festival is usually held in the second half of the year; confirm dates before planning around it.
• Ramadan moves through the calendar each year. On the coast, dress modestly and be especially respectful during the fasting month.
• Christmas, New Year and Easter are peak family holiday periods for safari lodges and coastal hotels.

Crowds, fees and prices through the year

Demand peaks from July to October and over the festive season. The Masai Mara has seasonal entry fees: Nation reported in July 2026 that non-resident adults pay US$200 per 12-hour ticket from July to December and US$100 from January to June. That alone makes January and February good value for a Mara safari. Lodges also typically lower rates during the long rains. Our guide to Kenya trip costs sets out package prices and other official fees.

Choosing your dates

For the migration, aim for July to October and allow at least three nights in the Mara, as in our Amboseli, Nakuru and Masai Mara safari. For a safari with beach time, January to March and July to October suit both the parks and Diani — see Masai Mara & Diani Beach. If you value space and price over guaranteed dry weather, look at November or the shoulder weeks around the long rains. New to the country? Our Kenya travel guide for first-time visitors covers entry and practicalities, the Kenya destination page gives an overview, and you can plan your Kenya dates with a specialist.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. Nation (Kenya) — Wildebeest migration season kicks off in Maasai Mara
2. Kenya Wildlife Service — Amboseli National Park
3. Kenya Wildlife Service — Conservation fees 2025 (PDF)
4. GOV.UK (FCDO) — Kenya travel advice