Best time to go to Kenya
Best time to go to Kenya : Regions and months : Regardless of the season, Kenya is a stunning place to visit and is a favorite with tourists from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Europe, and India. For those who are unsure of how to go to Kenya, the Nairobi Airport (NBO) is where most tourists land. Visitors should be aware of the most recent Kenya vaccination requirements as well as the fact that most tourists, including those from the US, UK, EU, India, and Canada, will need to secure a visa for Kenya.
Kenya’s climate can be divided into three main regions:
Hot and humid along the coast
West and South Western regions, where there are mountains and plateaus, are temperate
Hot and dry in the north and east
In Kenya, the dry seasons typically last from June through October and from December through March. The best times of year for game viewing are when it’s dry, and the rainy months of November, April, and May only have a few camps and lodges available.
Kenya wildlife viewing
The best times to see animals in Kenya’s wildlife parks are during the dry seasons, which run from January to March and July to October. The incredible spectacle of the Great Wildebeest Migration takes place around the second dry season.
One of the most breathtaking wildlife spectacles in the world is created during the migration when millions of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope charge their way through Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti.
In order to enjoy the spectacular views from Mount Kenya and the best Kenyan beaches on the eastern coastline, travelers who want to combine a safari to Kenya and Tanzania will undoubtedly want to travel during this period.
The best times to explore Lake Nakuru are also during the dry seasons because the rains can make wildlife drives difficult during the heaviest months. Additionally, it is advised that tourists to Amboseli schedule their safari during Kenya’s dry months.
It’s not always possible to see Mount Kilimanjaro from Amboseli, but the ideal times to do so are in the early morning or late afternoon from November to May when the sky is clear of dust.
Weather and climate in Kenya
Seasons in Kenya
The onshore monsoon winds from the Indian Ocean and altitude have a significant impact on Kenya’s climate.
The hot northeast monsoon, or kaskazi, which blows dry air in from the Persian Gulf from November to March/April, and the warm, moist kusi monsoon, which blows in from the southeast from April/May to October, dictate the start of Kenya’s two rainy seasons.
The ‘long rains’, or slightly cooler kusi, which occur in late April, May, and early June, are typically when the heaviest rain falls.
Much little rain falls during the comparatively temperate season from late June to October. The second rainy season, known as the “short rains,” lasts for a few weeks in November and December, and is followed generally from the middle of December to the beginning of March by a dry season marked by hot, typically dry weather.
Even though there are times when rain falls for a lengthy time, the general pattern is for it to pour heavily for 30 to 60 minutes before the sun comes out and quickly dries the damp ground.
Although your shoes will get dirty, camps and lodges always provide umbrellas, guests are still likely to get wet.
Temperatures in Kenya
The warm, tropical climate of Kenya, which is located on the equator, is impacted by a number of variables, including altitude, but there are significant regional climatic variations as well. Kenya’s daily highs range from 20°C (68°F) to 28°C (82°F), while the coast experiences higher temperatures.
The equator is too close to Kenya for there to be a true winter and summer. But there are dry and wet seasons as well.
Dry season
Daytime highs during the dry season, which lasts from June to October, often range between 28°C/82°F and 23°C/73°F in coastal regions and higher altitudes like the Masai Mara. The days are sunny and the sky is clear.
Wet season
At higher altitudes, daily temperatures during the wet season range from 24°C (75°F) to 27°C (81°F). Higher altitude mornings remain chilly, so it’s best to take warm clothing for early morning game drives.
When to go to Kenya: Activities
Your overall Kenya safari cost will depend on a variety of criteria, including the kind and amount of activities you choose. Between January through the end of March, the majority of Kenya’s safari locations are at their best since the weather is pleasant, largely dry, and game watching is at its greatest.
Water activities
Scuba diving, deep sea fishing, wind and kite surfing, snorkeling excursions, and jet skiing are some excellent methods for adventure seekers to relax in the sun.
The finest months for water clarity on Kenya’s coast are January and February. a busy period for travel, particularly at the beginning of January. A safari should normally not be taken towards the beginning of the lengthy rainy season. See our specialized post on this for a detailed look at the finest things to do in Kenya.
Birds
To take pictures of big game animals, most tourists travel to Kenya on safari. But there are many of opportunity to capture some amazing shots of birds during the wet season, which lasts from November to May.
The most striking examples are flamingo populations on soda lakes, especially Lake Nakuru, and birds of the open savanna like Common Ostrich, bustards, and Secretary Bird.
Less evident are the rare opportunities to capture images of the Bateleur, African Fish-Eagle, and numerous other raptors that inhabit the open countryside. During the mating season, whydahs and widowbirds put on flamboyant displays that make for amazing photo possibilities.
Open-country bird species like fiscals and weavers are easily captured on camera. Photographing migrating birds, birds from the Kakamega Forest, and birds from other forested environments is also achievable with patience.
