Travel & holidays
Best time to visit Kenya: a month-by-month guide to weather, wildlife and prices
When to go on safari, when to hit the coast, and when Kenya is cheapest. Month-by-month weather, the migration, school holidays and what the same trip costs in each month.
For most trips the best time to visit Kenya is the dry season: late June to October and January to February. The wildebeest migration is usually in the Maasai Mara from about July to October. The cheapest time is April and May, the long rains, when many lodges cut their rates.
Kenya month by month
| Month | Weather | Best for | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Hot and mostly dry | Safari, beach, Mount Kenya climbs | Safari: high season Coast: peak season |
| February | Hot and dry | Safari, beach, birdwatching | Safari: high season Coast: shoulder season |
| March | Hot; rains often start late in the month | Good-value safaris before Easter | Safari: shoulder season Coast: shoulder season |
| April | Long rains | Green landscapes, low prices; Easter is busy | Safari: low (green) season Coast: low season |
| May | Long rains; wettest month at the coast | The lowest prices and quiet parks | Safari: low (green) season Coast: low season |
| June | Rains ease; cool mornings | Early dry season at good-value prices | Safari: shoulder season Coast: low season |
| July | Dry and cool | The migration arrives in the Mara; peak season starts | Safari: peak season Coast: high season |
| August | Dry and cool | Mara river crossings; school holidays | Safari: peak season Coast: high season |
| September | Dry | Migration and excellent game viewing | Safari: peak season Coast: shoulder season |
| October | Dry, getting warmer | Late migration; short rains may start late in the month | Safari: peak season Coast: shoulder season |
| November | Short rains | Green season, migrant birds and Lamu's cultural festival | Safari: shoulder season Coast: shoulder season |
| December | Short rains ending; hot at the coast | Christmas at the coast; prices peak | Safari: high season Coast: peak season |
General patterns. Rain usually comes in afternoon showers rather than all-day downpours, and the north is drier than the rest of the country.
Best time for a safari
Wildlife is easiest to see in the dry months, when grass is short and animals gather near water. In the Maasai Mara, the wildebeest and zebra migration usually arrives from Tanzania around July and stays until about October, with dramatic Mara River crossings often in August and September. Exact timing depends on the rains each year.
Amboseli, Tsavo, Samburu and Lake Nakuru are good all year, and best from June to October and January to February. In the April–May green season some roads get muddy and a few camps close, but prices drop and parks are quiet.
Best time for the coast
The coast is hot and sunny from December to March and pleasant from July to October. April to June is the wettest period, and May is the quietest month, when some hotels close for renovations and others offer big discounts. Kitesurfers come to Diani for the steady winds, which blow strongest from about June to September and December to March.
Best time to climb Mount Kenya
The driest climbing months are January to February and August to September. Avoid the long rains in April and May and the short rains in November, when trails are wet and views are often cloudy.
Cheapest months: the same trip, priced by month
| Month | 3 nights, Maasai Mara | 3 nights, Diani |
|---|---|---|
| January | KES 195,404 | KES 128,150 |
| February | KES 195,404 | KES 110,825 |
| March | KES 180,554 | KES 110,825 |
| April | KES 160,754 | KES 100,925 |
| May | KES 160,754 | KES 100,925 |
| June | KES 180,554 | KES 100,925 |
| July | KES 223,454 | KES 120,725 |
| August | KES 223,454 | KES 120,725 |
| September | KES 223,454 | KES 110,825 |
| October | KES 223,454 | KES 110,825 |
| November | KES 193,754 | KES 110,825 |
| December | KES 208,604 | KES 128,150 |
Two people, mid-range, Kenyan citizen park rates; Mara by road, Diani by SGR. METRIKA estimates including transport, food, activities, park fees and a 10% buffer.
Busy dates to plan around
- School holidays: April, August and December, when family resorts and coast hotels fill up.
- Easter and Christmas to New Year: the busiest and most expensive weeks at the coast.
- Public holidays such as Madaraka Day (1 June), Mashujaa Day (20 October) and Jamhuri Day (12 December) create long weekends when they fall near a weekend.
Travelling midweek, or just after a holiday, usually gets you better rates and quieter parks.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Kenya?
For safaris, July to October and January to February, when it's dry and wildlife is easy to see. For the coast, December to March and July to October.
When is the wildebeest migration in Kenya?
Usually from about July to October in the Maasai Mara, with river crossings often in August and September. Timing shifts a little each year with the rains.
What is the cheapest time to visit Kenya?
April and May, during the long rains. Many lodges and hotels offer green-season discounts, and parks are quieter.
When is the rainy season in Kenya?
The long rains fall from about March to May and the short rains around November. The north of Kenya is much drier.
When is the best time to go to the Kenyan coast?
December to March for hot, sunny weather, or July to October for slightly cooler days. April to June is the wettest period.
Sources
Links are for reference only. METRIKA is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by these organisations.
Last reviewed 19 Oct 2026. METRIKA gives estimates and general information, not financial, tax, legal or immigration advice.