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Kenya Travel Guide Kenya flag Best Time To Visit

By Anthony Ham
Anthony is the author of the Lonely Planet guide to Kenya.

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The best months for visiting Kenya (and the best time for wildlife viewing) are during the Dry season from June to October. The wildebeest migration usually reaches the Masai Mara in July or August and remains in Kenya throughout September. It starts moving back to Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park around October. Wildlife viewing is good year-round, but this can differ for some parks, depending on the rains. There is a dry spell between the rains in January and February that is also a great time to visit.


Best Time June to October and January and February (All parks)
High Season June to October and December to March (Some of the parks get very crowded, especially the Masai Mara, Amboseli and Lake Nakuru)
Low Season April and May (Some lodges and camps in high-rainfall areas close down)
Best Weather June to October (Little to no rainfall)
Worst Weather March, April and May (Peak of the Wet season)

June to October Dry Season

November to May Wet Season

Wildlife Photos

Wildebeest jumping into the Mara River

© Paulbanton

Rear view of a herd of wildebeest following the migration

© WLDavies

Lion in front of Oloololo Escarpment

© Ariadne van Zandbergen

African elephant

© Dndavis

Leopard

© Ariadne van Zandbergen

Black rhino

© Ariadne van Zandbergen

Three giraffes

© Michael Poliza

Cheetah

© Ariadne van Zandbergen

Blue wildebeest trudging across the plains

© JLDale

Elephant bull in front of Mt Kilimanjaro

© Graemes

Two zebras nosing

© Michael Poliza

Small herd of elephants

© Michael Poliza

African wild cat

© Ariadne van Zandbergen

Portrait of buffalo with an oxpecker

© Michael Poliza

Spotted hyena with pup

© Ariadne van Zandbergen

Thomson's gazelles grazing for food

© Ariadne van Zandbergen

Plains zebras in the grass

© Ariadne van Zandbergen

Black-backed jackal at Ol Pejeta Conservancy

© Ariadne van Zandbergen

Striped hyena at Ol Pejeta Conservancy

© Ariadne van Zandbergen

Sitatunga

© Ariadne van Zandbergen

Olive baboon

© Ariadne van Zandbergen

Black-and-white colobus monkey

© Ariadne van Zandbergen

Potto in a tree

© Impalastock

Sable antelope crossing the road

© Ariadne van Zandbergen

Hippopotamus yawning

© Ariadne van Zandbergen

Best Time To Go by Major Park

The Masai Mara National Reserve offers great wildlife viewing throughout the year. In the peak of the rainy season, most other parks, especially in the highlands and along the coast, can be problematic with regards to heat, humidity and continuous rain. Some of the lodges and camps close as a result. The dry months offer quality wildlife viewing throughout Kenya.

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Want To Visit Kenya?

Safari Tours to Kenya

4-Day Maasai Mara and Lake Nakuru Luxury Safari

$1,160 to $1,940 pp (USD)

Kenya: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Nairobi (End)

Kenya Tulia Safari Holiday Arcade
5.0 stars 5.0/5 – 48 Reviews

5-Day Masai Mara Lake Nakuru Amboseli

$1,180 to $1,860 pp (USD)

Kenya: Private tourMid-rangeLodge
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)

Beacon Safaris
4.9 stars 4.9/5 – 265 Reviews

5-Day Masai Mara Fly-in Luxury Tour

$4,410 to $4,610 pp (USD)

Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)

Nashibe Adventures
5.0 stars 5.0/5 – 13 Reviews