To receive our best monthly deals
Best Time to Travel to Kenya on Safari
05/19/2020
Best Time to Travel to Kenya on Safari
The question; what is the best time to travel to Kenya? is first answered by another question: what exactly is the objective of your visit to Kenya? There are many activities that a person visiting Kenya can engage in; from wildlife safari to mountain climbing, swimming and frolicking on sandy beaches at the coast to zip lining, visiting museums to cultural activities, bird viewing, landscape photography to the great wildebeest migration. All these activities are determined by weather and time of the year.
Weather in Kenya and Best Safari Holidays
Due to the geographical location of Kenya, weather is divided into two seasons: rainy season and dry season. These two seasons are further divided into long and short rainy seasons and long and short dry seasons. It’s worth noting that Kenya does not have distinctive seasons as its located along the equator with sun throughout the year.
Normally the short dry season is two months long; from mid January and to mid March and long dry season spans from June to mid October. The short rains fall from mid October to late November or mid December, while the heavy rains are experienced from late March to mid or late May.
However, due to the recent weather changes, sometimes these weather patterns have become unpredictable but not as much. Also various geographical locations in Kenya experience different weather patterns and therefore it is important to take that into consideration as you draw your safari itinerary.
Best time for Wildlife Safari and Wildebeest Migration
The dry season between July and October is considered the optimum time for wildlife viewing. You are guaranteed an unforgettable wildlife viewing experience during these months. The absence of or minimal rains lead to recession of water sources and therefore animals have fewer points to drink, seeking more permanent water sources. They therefore gather in large numbers at or near the permanent water sources such as rivers and waterholes. Again, the lack of rain means sparse vegetation and therefore, the herbivores flock the open plains in search of food. The presence of the herbivores definitely attracts the predators/ carnivores that prey on the grazers and browsers for food.
One of the most popular wildlife events is The Great Wildebeest Migration where millions of zebras and wildebeest migrate from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara in Kenya during the long dry season; from July to October. This annual migration is so popular that it has been dubbed the Eighth Wonder of the World. Therefore if you want to experience the thrill of this migration, late July to mid October is the best time to visit Kenya.
Best time for Mt Kenya Climbing
Kenya is dotted with many volcanic mountains and hill ranges. Mount Kenya in central Kenya and is in close proximity to Nairobi is a marvelous sight, with its snow capped peaks.
Those seeking the thrill of climbing this mountain, or any other mountain in Kenya for that matter, are encouraged to visit during the warmest and driest months – January, February, and September. June, July, and August are also good months. However, temperatures and weather are quite unpredictable, and can change drastically based on the time of day and altitude. Mountaineering and rains are not bedfellows and therefore avoid March to June and October to December.
Best time for Coast and Sandy Beaches Holidays
The Kenyan coast is generally hot and humid throughout the year, even when it rains. Despite the high temperatures and humidity, the cool breeze from the Indian Ocean makes the coastal Kenya heat bearable.
Visiting coastal Kenya can be done at any time of the year, but during the dry season, the visit is more enjoyable since one can visit other historical sites without the rains inconvenience.
Best time for Experiencing Cultural Festivals in Kenya
Kenya is inhabited by different communities. Many of these communities engage in various cultural ceremonies which attract thousands of visitors annually. For cultural anthropologists and visitors, these ceremonies are a sight to behold.
The Lamu Cultural Festival which is a three-day festival that celebrates life and culture of the people in the Lamu Island (which has been declared a Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO) is held every year in November.
Another interesting cultural ceremony is the Maasai Eunoto Ceremony which marks the transition from young warriors to junior elders among the Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania. This ceremony is normally held between September and December. These are but two cultural ceremonies that a visitor can relish in between September and December.
The best time to Enjoy Discounted Safari Prices in Kenya
All factors held constant, the most ideal time to travel to Kenya is between June and October during the dry season. This offers a maximum opportunity for one to enjoy their visit. The scenery is beautiful, there are fewer mosquitoes, the dry climate eases movement, there are a variety of wild animals to see and swimming in the open ocean is thrilling.
However, if one opts to travel between January and May, they can enjoy lower rates as this is considered the low season, the scenery is green due to plenty of rainfall and most of migratory birds migrate during this period. The beautiful flamingos make their annual migration journey to Lakes Nakuru and Bogoria from April through to June.
Conclusion on Best to Travel to Kenya on Safari
Kenya has something to offer each visitor all year round. The visitors are spoilt for choice and therefore encouraged to visit any time of the year depending on their interests and objectives of their travel. Karibu Kenya.
Recent Posts
Latest Comments