The Best Time to Visit Kenya
The Best Time to Visit Kenya : The equator makes up roughly half of Kenya, therefore its climate isn’t simply divided into dry and wet seasons. Its wet season is interrupted by a dry one, and its dry season is actually shorter than its wet one. This essentially means that there isn’t really a single ideal time to travel to Kenya. Any time of year is a good time to visit various places, but certain months are better for seeing the Great Migration, bird migration, or excellent diving.
The dry season is the best period for visibility and safety for Kenya safari climbers. Kenya’s weather is largely constant, though it might vary in humidity. The coast experiences higher temperatures. The highest peak in Kenya, Mount Kenya, is constantly blanketed with snow, and the mountains can get quite chilly. With a population of almost 54 million, this East African country is home to more than 42 Indigenous communities. A variety of festivals and events highlight this diversity, such as the vibrant Mombasa Carnival, the Lamu Cultural Festival, which honours the Swahili heritage of the archipelago, and the Lake Turkana Festival, which brings people from all walks of life together.
The Best Time to Visit Kenya : The ideal months to witness the Great Migration are July through October and January through February.
If you’re hoping to witness one of nature’s most breathtaking spectacles in which thousands of wildebeest, zebras, and giraffes migrating over the Serengeti, make your way to the Masai Mara starting in July. Because of the sparse grass, low rainfall, and easier wildlife sightings due to animals congregating near waterholes, these high-season months make for delightful visits to any of Kenya’s parks. Because to the strong visibility and lack of rain, these months are also climber-friendly. At Lake Nakuru, July is a great month to see enormous flocks of pink flamingos.
Similar to July, August is a popular month to visit Kenya, but it’s also one of the greatest overall. The Masai Mara plains are teeming with wildebeest, indicating that the Great Migration is officially under way. August is a great month to visit other national parks and conservancies in Kenya if you’re not in the Mara. Nairobi is also accessible without the oppressive humidity that makes exploring the city more difficult. The capital’s culinary culture is rapidly expanding, and Nairobi Restaurant Week offers an opportunity to indulge. The one-day Maralal Camel Derby in Samburu County, northern Kenya, offers a vibrant exhibition of camels, costumes and culture for a hyper-local experience.
With significantly fewer visitors, particularly in the later part of the month, September delivers the finest weather and wildlife of July and August. As hot, dry weather settles in and the likelihood of rain decreases, you can still witness the migration. It’s also the time of the JAMAFEST, the East African Community Arts Festival. It alternates between the countries of East Africa every two years. An annual Rugby Sevens competition open to international teams, the Tusker Safari Sevens, is held in Nairobi in October and generates a lot of excitement in the city. Mashujaa Day, or Heroes Day, is on October 20 and is a day to honour those who fought for Kenya’s freedom. Kenyans are flocking to the beaches and parks on this public holiday, creating a buzz across Nairobi and the coastal towns.
As the new year begins, the high season approaches, hot and dry. Every activity is popular and bustling in January, including diving, snorkelling, hiking, safaris, city exploration, and beach vacations. Hiking in areas like Hell’s Gate National Park and climbing Mt. Kenya and other summits are very enjoyable (and safe) during the dry season. At Masai Mara, low season costs are usually advantageous because migratory birds are now arriving in the Mara rather than during the peak migration. On a Mombasa beach, celebrate the start of a new year; the city throws huge festivities.
February is the month of both the dry and high seasons. It’s a well-liked option for safari in kenya because of the lack of rain, the sparse vegetation, and the abundance of Kenya wildlife. It’s also the best time to go trekking and climbing, but since it’s peak season, costs and crowds may rise.
The Best Time to Visit Kenya : November, December and March are the best times for lush landscapes and underwater adventures
With the Mombasa Carnival and the Lamu Cultural Festival honouring the rich history of Kenya’s ethnic groupings, November is a great month for festival goers. Mombasa’s street celebration is characterised by boats, music and dance, while the Lamu Cultural Festival, located off the northern coast of the Lamu island, features traditional dances known as ngoma and ancient crafts like building sailboats, donkey races, fish trap construction and dhow regattas. Diwali/New Year celebrations are observed (sometimes in October) by Kenya’s South Asian community, which means that temples are bustling, decorations are up, and an exceptional amount of Indian mithai (sweets) are produced. Despite the variable weather of sun and rain, November is still a fantastic month to go safari in Kenya.
If you enjoy verdant, lush landscapes, December in Kenya is just lovely. The rains usually stop in the middle of the month, and Kenya’s parks become a beautiful shade of green in preparation for the second “high season,” which takes place in January and February. The shoulder season is ideal for diving and snorkelling because the water visibility is at its best at this period. The 12th of December is Jamhuri Day. Kenya celebrates this day, known as Jamhuri in Swahili, with cultural festivities, dances, and music to commemorate its 1963 independence from Britain and the adoption of its republican constitution a year later.
The two-day Rusinga Cultural Festival on Lake Victoria honours the culture of the Abasuba people, which is under threat. Meanwhile, Kilifi’s Beneath the Baobabs Festival is one of the best music events in the nation, with performances by East African and worldwide artists, enormous artwork, and stylish costumes. Though the rainy season is drawing near, March is still a really pleasant time to visit Kenya. It’s just getting hotter and more humid. Travellers may benefit from favourable prices and the fact that rain usually falls later in the month, so the first half of the month should be excellent.
Clear water and good visibility make March a great month for diving and snorkelling. Beach parties are especially welcome on these warm evenings as the hot, dry season gives way to the rainy season. While Muslims in Kenya spend the holy month of Ramadan, hikers, climbers, and outdoor enthusiasts celebrate the nation’s highest mountain with the Mount Kenya Festival.
The Best Time to Visit Kenya : April to June is the best time for smaller crowds and lower prices
The “long rains” usually occur in April and May, but they can sometimes occur in March. Although Kenya safari travellers may find the wet season unsettling, it can also be very rewarding, as the Mara is still accessible in March. You can take in the peace and quiet of the natural world as the crowds disperse. Due to the oppressive humidity and the potential for reduced visibility in some parks caused by persistent rain, some safari hotels and camps close at this time. Though strong rains can make it harder for snorkelers and divers to see the ocean, it’s still a terrific time to be by the coast. However, May is still a great month to see wildlife and safaris! Although it can be more difficult to spot them because the grasses are longer, the light and colours can make for beautiful photos.
The Ewaso Ngiro River’s riverbanks are home to a variety of animals, making Samburu National Reserve in northern Kenya a wise choice. June is a great month to visit Kenya’s highlands because of the reduced humidity, which makes climbing and trekking a little easier. This shoulder-season month marks the beginning of the migration and is a great time to see wildlife, especially in northern Kenya following the extended rainy season. Before the summer season begins in July, the shore is mainly dry and costs are slightly lower. On June 1, which marks the anniversary of Kenya’s transition to self-rule, there are parades, concerts, and dances in honour of Madaraka Day.
The beautifully stunning Rift Valley Lake Turkana Festival unites the various ethnic groups in the area to celebrate their varied traditions and advance peace. The Rhino Charge, a 4×4 competition that raises money to protect mountain ecosystems, is quite a show if you enjoy off-road racing or just want to watch.
