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The question everyone asks us, even before the price: when is the best time to come? The short answer: the best periods for a safari in Kenya are January to March (dry season, easy sightings, perfect ocean) and July to October (the great migration in the Masai Mara). But Kenya offers something in every month of the year - and depending on what you're after, low season can be the smart choice.
This guide gives you the full picture, month by month, written by people who live these parks all year round.
Kenya's climate in two lines
Kenya sits on the equator: there is no summer or winter, only dry seasons and rainy seasons. Temperatures stay pleasant all year - 26-32 °C on the coast, cooler in the inland parks, especially at dawn. What really changes from month to month is the rain, and with it: tall or short grass, animals scattered or gathered at waterholes, high or low prices.
The dry season: January to March
This is what we recommend most often to first-timers. Rain is rare, the grass is low and animals gather around waterholes: spotting them is easier, and park roads are in better shape.
On the coast it's hot and the sea is stunning: the perfect time to combine safari and excursions, as comes natural when you start from Watamu or Malindi. If your trip is half savannah and half ocean, January-March is hard to beat.
Our tip
February is the month we would pick ourselves: dry, clean light, parks less crowded than during the January holidays, and the ocean at its very best.
The great migration: July to October
If you dream of the documentaries, this is the moment: over a million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras cross into the Masai Mara from the Serengeti, with the Mara river crossings being Africa's most famous natural spectacle.
It is also high season: the best lodges fill up months ahead and prices peak. If the migration is your goal, book 4-6 months in advance.
In the southern parks, such as Tsavo and the Taita Hills, July-October remains excellent even without the migration: cool dry weather, often overcast mornings (great for photography), active wildlife.
The rainy seasons: April-May and November
The "long rains" (April-May) and the "short rains" (November) are low season. Yes, it rains - but rarely all day: usually an afternoon storm, then sunshine again. In exchange the savannah turns green, prices drop noticeably and the parks empty out.
For returning travellers, or for photography lovers, it's an underrated period: the light after the rain is something special, and between April and May many calves and cubs are born. The only real downside: some secondary tracks can get muddy, and humidity is noticeable on the coast.
Month by month, at a glance
| Month | What it's like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| January | Dry, warm, animals at waterholes | First-timers, safari + beach |
| February | The most reliable month of the year | Everyone - our favourite |
| March | Dry, first intense heat | Safari + beach, falling prices |
| April | Long rains, green, few tourists | Return trips, budget, photographers |
| May | Rains tailing off | Budget, newborn animals, green savannah |
| June | Cool, dry, shoulder season | Great value-for-money compromise |
| July | Migration begins, cool | Masai Mara, top sightings |
| August | Peak migration, high season | The migration - book early |
| September | Migration, fewer crowds than August | The migration, at a calmer pace |
| October | Last crossings, heat returning | The migration, wonderful light |
| November | Short rains, green, low prices | Budget, birdwatching |
| December | Dry again, busy holidays | Safari + beach (booking early) |
What about children?
If you travel with kids, the dry season makes everything easier: fewer mosquitoes, better roads, shorter and more effective game drives because animals are found sooner. January-March and July-October remain the best windows for families too - and in our quotes we always ask for each child's exact age, because it drives both pricing and the rhythm of the trip.
In practice
- First time, maximum reward: January-March or July-October
- Migration in the Masai Mara: July-October, booking 4-6 months ahead
- Best prices and green savannah: April-May and November
- Safari + beach from the coast: all year round, January-March first
- Families with children: dry season, tailor-made itineraries
The real advice, though, is another one: tell us when you can travel, and we'll tell you what to expect in that period - and how to make the most of it. The configurator below gives you an instant estimate on our listed safaris, or we'll prepare a tailor-made quote within 48 hours.
