Best Time to Visit Kenya for Safari and Beach: Month by Month

Kenya is a year round destination, and a safari and beach holiday works in every month. What changes is the weather, the wildlife and how busy it is. This guide covers the coast around Watamu and Malindi and the safari parks most of our guests visit: Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Amboseli and the Masai Mara.

The short answer

Best overall: late June to October and mid-December to March, when it is mostly dry on safari and sunny on the coast.
Great Migration in the Masai Mara: usually around July to October, with river crossings often in August and September.
Quietest and greenest: April to early June and November, with rain showers, lush landscapes and fewer visitors.

Kenya’s seasons in brief

Kenya sits on the equator, so it is warm all year. Instead of summer and winter it has two rainy seasons: the long rains, usually from April to early June, and the short rains, usually in November. On the coast, rain often comes as heavy showers followed by sunshine rather than days of grey.

Month by month

January and February

Hot, dry and sunny on the coast, with calm, clear sea that is ideal for snorkelling in Watamu Marine National Park. Excellent game viewing in Tsavo and Amboseli. A very popular time, so plan ahead.

March

Still hot and mostly dry, with humidity rising towards the end of the month. A good month for a combined safari and beach trip with fewer people than February.

April and May

The long rains. Expect heavy showers, especially in May, and a quieter coast. Parks turn green and many animals give birth. Some coast hotels and restaurants take a short break, so check before booking. Good value and very peaceful.

June

The rains ease and the countryside is still green. A lovely, quiet month for travel with comfortable temperatures.

July to October

Cooler, dry and breezy. The best months for the Masai Mara and the Great Migration, and a great time for Tsavo. On the coast the trade winds bring good kitesurfing, and humpback whales pass Watamu. The sea can be a little choppier, so we plan reef trips around calm days and low tide.

November

The short rains, usually brief afternoon showers. A green, quiet month with good value and still plenty of sunshine on the coast.

December

Dry and warm from mid-December, with a festive feel. Christmas and New Year are the busiest weeks of the year, so book early.

Best time for each experience

Snorkelling and dhow trips: October to March, when the sea is calmest and clearest.
Tsavo safari: June to October and January to March.
Masai Mara and the migration: July to October.
Birdwatching at Mida Creek: October to April, when migrant birds arrive.
Whales: July to October.
Kitesurfing: June to September and December to March.

Is it worth travelling in the rainy season?

Often, yes. Rain rarely lasts all day, landscapes are at their most beautiful and you will share the parks with fewer vehicles. Roads in some parks can get muddy, so our driver-guides plan routes on the day. If you are flexible, these months can be some of the most rewarding.

Frequently asked questions

What is the hottest month in Watamu?

February and March are usually the hottest and most humid months on the coast. July and August are the coolest and breeziest.

When is the cheapest time to visit Kenya?

April to June and November, outside school holidays, usually offer the best value on lodges and hotels.

Can I combine the Masai Mara with Watamu?

Yes. A short flight links the coast and the Mara, or you can travel overland on a longer itinerary such as our Grand Kenya Safari.

Not sure which month suits you? Tell us your dates in the trip planner and we will suggest the best plan for that time of year.