What is the best time to visit Kenya?

Best Time to Visit Kenya

The best time to travel to Kenya is during the dry season from July to October and the short rains season from November to December.

Dry Season in Kenya

The dry season in Kenya runs from July to October and is characterized by sunny days and cooler nights. During this season, the wildlife is more visible as the vegetation is sparse and the animals come to the waterholes to drink. The days are usually warm and pleasant, making it a great time for outdoor activities such as safaris, camping, and hiking. Popular attractions during this season include the wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara, the flamingo flocks at Lake Nakuru, and the hot air balloon rides over the Mara.

Short Rains Season in Kenya

The short rains season in Kenya runs from November to December and is characterized by short showers and cooler temperatures. During this season, the landscape is lush and green, making it a great time for bird-watching and game drives. Popular attractions during this season include the wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara, the flamingo flocks at Lake Nakuru, and the hot air balloon rides over the Mara.

Month-by-month guide for traveling in Kenya

Kenya in January

Weather

January in Kenya is usually warm and dry. Temperatures range from the mid-70s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit (21 to 29 degrees Celsius).

Events

• The Lamu Cultural Festival is held in Lamu, Kenya on the first weekend of January. It is a celebration of Swahili culture and includes traditional music, dance, and cuisine.
• The Kenya International Film Festival is held in Nairobi in mid-January. It is an annual event that showcases the best of Kenyan and international films.
• The Maasai Mara National Reserve is a popular destination for safaris in January. The reserve is home to a variety of wildlife, including lions, elephants, and cheetahs.
• The Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras takes place from January to March in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. This is an annual event that is considered one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in the world.
• The Annual Lake Turkana Festival is held in January at Lake Turkana. The festival celebrates the culture and traditions of the Turkana people and includes traditional music and dance performances.

Kenya in January

Weather

January is the start of the dry season in Kenya. Temperatures can range from the high 70s Fahrenheit during the day to the low 50s Fahrenheit at night. The humidity is low and the skies are clear.

Events

• The East African Safari Rally is held during the first week of January. This is an international rally race that takes place in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
• The Lamu Cultural Festival is held in the coastal town of Lamu during the first week of January. This festival celebrates the culture, music, and art of the Swahili people.
• The Maasai Mara National Reserve hosts the annual Wildebeest Migration during the month of January. This is one of the most spectacular wildlife events in the world.
• The World Social Forum is held in Nairobi during the second week of January. This is an international gathering of civil society activists, academics, and policy makers.
• The Kenya International Music Festival is held in Nairobi during the third week of January. This festival celebrates the music and culture of Kenya.

Kenya in March

Weather

March is the beginning of the dry season in Kenya, with temperatures ranging from 20-30°C (68-86°F) and little to no rainfall.

Events

• The Nairobi International Book Fair is held in March, offering a variety of books, activities, and discussions.
• The Lewa Marathon is held in March, a 42 km race through the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
• The Kenya Coast Marathon is held in March, a 42 km race along the Kenyan coast.
• The Lamu Cultural Festival is held in March, celebrating the culture and traditions of the Lamu people.
• The Maasai Mara Great Migration is held in March, a spectacular event where millions of wildebeest and zebras migrate across the Mara River.

Kenya in April

Weather

April in Kenya is typically warm and dry, with temperatures ranging from mid-20s to mid-30s Celsius. Rainfall is minimal, with the majority of the rain falling in the highlands.

Events

• Easter: Easter is celebrated in Kenya in April, and is marked by religious services, processions, and feasting.
• Nairobi International Book Fair: The Nairobi International Book Fair is held in April each year, and is a great opportunity for book lovers to get together and celebrate literature.
• Maasai Mara Great Migration: The Maasai Mara Great Migration takes place in April each year, and is one of the most spectacular wildlife events in the world.
• Lamu Cultural Festival: The Lamu Cultural Festival is held in April each year, and is a celebration of the culture and traditions of the Lamu people.
• World Health Day: World Health Day is celebrated in April each year, and is an opportunity to raise awareness about health issues and promote healthy living.

Kenya in May

Weather

May in Kenya is generally hot and dry, with temperatures ranging from the mid-20s to the mid-30s Celsius (high 70s to low 90s Fahrenheit). Rainfall is relatively low, with some areas receiving no rain at all.

Events

• The International Labour Day is celebrated on the 1st of May in Kenya. It is a national holiday to celebrate the achievements of workers and their rights.
• The World Press Freedom Day is celebrated on the 3rd of May in Kenya. It is a day to celebrate and promote freedom of the press and the rights of journalists.
• The World Biodiversity Day is celebrated on the 22nd of May in Kenya. It is a day to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity and the need to protect it.
• The International Day of the African Child is celebrated on the 16th of May in Kenya. It is a day to recognize the rights of children and to promote their welfare.
• The World Environment Day is celebrated on the 5th of June in Kenya. It is a day to raise awareness about environmental issues and to promote sustainable development.

Kenya in June

Weather

June in Kenya is generally warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from 18°C to 28°C. The rainy season begins in June, so there is usually a high chance of rain, especially in the afternoon.

Events

• The Lamu Cultural Festival is an annual event that takes place in June in Lamu Town. It is a celebration of the culture and heritage of the Swahili people, and includes traditional music, dance, and food.
• The Kenya Music Festival is held every June in Nairobi. It is a week-long event that showcases the best of Kenyan music, from traditional folk music to modern pop.
• The Great Migration is a yearly event in Kenya, where millions of wildebeest and zebra migrate from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara in search of food and water. This event usually takes place in June and July.
• The Great Rift Valley Marathon is held every June in Naivasha. It is a 42-kilometer race that attracts runners from all over the world.
• The Nairobi International Book Fair is an annual event that takes place in June. It is a celebration of books and literature, and features talks, workshops, and book signings.

Kenya in July

Weather

July is the start of the wet season in Kenya. Temperatures are warm and humid, ranging from lows of around 18°C (64°F) to highs of around 28°C (82°F). Rainfall is common, especially in the coastal regions.

Events

• The Lamu Cultural Festival is held in July and is one of the biggest festivals in Kenya. It celebrates the culture of the Lamu people and includes traditional music, dance, and art.
• The Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra takes place in the Masai Mara Game Reserve in July. This is one of the most spectacular wildlife events in the world, and is a must-see for any visitor to Kenya.
• The Nairobi International Book Fair is held in July and is a great opportunity for book lovers to explore the latest titles from local and international authors.
• The Mombasa International Film Festival is held in July and is a great opportunity to discover the best of Kenyan cinema.
• The International Balloon Festival is held in July in the Rift Valley. This is a great opportunity to see the beauty of Kenya from the air, as well as to enjoy the festivities and entertainment on the ground.

Kenya in August

Weather

August is the second month of the rainy season in Kenya and is usually characterized by hot and humid weather. Temperatures in August range from 24°C to 30°C, with the highest temperatures occurring in the northwest and the lowest in the coastal regions. The average amount of rainfall is around 200mm, with the highest amount of rainfall occurring in the western part of the country.

Events

• The Kenyan National Music Festival is held in August and is a celebration of traditional Kenyan music and culture. It features performances from local and international musicians, as well as traditional dance and art exhibitions.
• The Nairobi International Book Fair is held in August and is the largest book fair in East Africa. It features booksellers from all over the world, as well as literary events and workshops.
• The East African Safari Rally is held in August and is one of the most prestigious motorsport events in the world. It is a multi-day rally race that takes place in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
• The Lamu Cultural Festival is held in August and is a celebration of the traditional Swahili culture of the Lamu region. It features traditional music and dance performances, as well as art exhibitions and workshops.
• The Kenya International Film Festival is held in August and is a celebration of Kenyan and international cinema. It features screenings of feature films, documentaries, and short films, as well as panel discussions and workshops.

Kenya in September

Weather

September in Kenya is typically hot and dry, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit. Rainfall is minimal during this time.

Events

• The annual Maasai Mara Wildebeest Migration takes place in September, when millions of wildebeest and zebra make their way across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.
• The Nairobi International Book Fair is held each year in September, bringing together authors, publishers, and readers from across the continent.
• The annual Lake Turkana Festival is held in September, celebrating the unique culture and traditions of the Turkana people.
• The annual Lamu Cultural Festival is held in September, showcasing the unique culture and traditions of the Lamu Archipelago.
• The annual Nairobi Half Marathon is held in September, attracting runners from around the world.

Kenya in October

Weather

October is the start of the dry season in Kenya, with temperatures ranging from the mid-teens to mid-twenties Celsius. Rainfall is scarce, with the majority of the country receiving less than 100mm of rain.

Events

• The Great Migration: The Great Migration is one of the most spectacular wildlife events in the world. Every year, millions of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle migrate from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya.
• Nairobi International Book Fair: The Nairobi International Book Fair is an annual event that brings together authors, publishers, and booksellers from around the world. It is a great opportunity to discover new books and authors.
• Maasai Mara Marathon: The Maasai Mara Marathon is an annual event held in October in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. It is a great way to explore the beauty of the reserve while running a marathon.
• Lamu Cultural Festival: The Lamu Cultural Festival is an annual event held in October in the Lamu archipelago. It is a great opportunity to experience the culture and traditions of the Lamu people.
• World Tourism Day: World Tourism Day is an annual event celebrated on October 27th. It is a great opportunity to promote tourism in Kenya and to celebrate the country’s rich culture and heritage.

Kenya in November

Weather

November in Kenya is generally warm and dry, with temperatures ranging from highs of 32°C (90°F) to lows of 22°C (72°F). Rainfall is minimal during this month, with an average of only 2-3 days of rain.

Events

• The Nairobi International Book Fair is held in November, showcasing the latest books, authors, and publishers from around the world.
• The Maasai Mara National Reserve hosts the annual wildebeest migration during November, bringing millions of animals to the reserve to graze and drink from the Mara River.
• The annual Mombasa International Film Festival is held in November, featuring films from around the world.
• The annual Kenya Music Festival is held in November, featuring performances from some of the country’s best musicians.
• The annual Nairobi Marathon is held in November, with thousands of runners from around the world competing in the race.

Kenya in December

Weather

December in Kenya is typically hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 20-30°C (68-86°F). Rainfall is common during this month, especially in the western and coastal parts of the country.

Events

• The annual Mombasa International Show is held in Mombasa during the month of December. This event showcases the best of Kenyan culture and features performances, exhibitions, and competitions.
• The Kenyan National Music Festival is held in December in Nairobi. This festival features performances from some of the best Kenyan musicians, as well as international acts.
• The annual Lamu Cultural Festival is held in December in the coastal town of Lamu. This festival celebrates the Swahili culture and features traditional music, dance, and art.
• The annual Maasai Mara Great Migration takes place in December in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. This event sees millions of wildebeest, zebra, and other animals migrate across the Mara River.
• The annual Christmas Festival is held in December in Nairobi. This event features performances, food stalls, and activities for the whole family.