Kenya The Original Safari

A delightful month to visit Kenya! The landscape is dry, visibility is superb, and animals are concentrated and active. Migratory birds from Europe and Asia begin arriving, making it a brilliant month for birders. Warm days, cool nights, and still well below peak-season prices. It’s also one of the best months to head to Kenya’s coast for diving and snorkelling.

A tale of two halves. The first half of March is still dry and offers excellent game viewing — one of the year’s most underrated safari windows. The long rains typically arrive in the second half, bringing afternoon showers, dramatic skies, and the beginnings of Kenya’s green transformation. Rates drop, and the landscape begins to bloom. The coast has lighter rainfall, and the water remains warm and clear for snorkelling.

Warm, wet and humid! The long rains are in full swing, and this is Kenya’s quietest month. Showers are typically in the afternoon, leaving mornings fresh and clear for game drives. The savannah is intensely green, wildflowers bloom, and newborn animals are everywhere, but game viewing is more difficult due to the long grass.  Note on the coast: Heavy rain and humidity make April less ideal for the beach — better to save it for another month.

The rains continue, and May is the wettest month across most of Kenya. Some camps close for maintenance during this period, so it’s worth checking availability early. Birding is exceptional as migratory species arrive in force, and those camps that do stay open offer some of their lowest rates of the year.  A Note on the coast: The coast is hot and muggy in May — not the most comfortable month for a beach stay.

The long rains clear, and Kenya awakens. There may be the odd shower early in the month, but conditions improve rapidly, and game viewing picks up as vegetation thins.  Coastal conditions also improve, making late June a good time to combine beach and bush.

The dry season is firmly established and Kenya is at its most dramatic. The wildebeest herds typically begin arriving in the Mara mid-to-late July, though the exact timing varies year to year, and with them come some of the most extraordinary wildlife spectacles on earth. The coast is warm and breezy, with light afternoon showers that do little to interrupt a beach day.

It’s peak migration month, Kenya at its most extraordinary. Vast herds blanket the Mara, with river crossings growing more frequent and big cat sightings hitting their annual high. If the Migration is your priority, this is the safest month to visit. The Mara is busy, but the wildlife justifies it. Amboseli is superb too, with elephant herds gathering against the backdrop of Kilimanjaro. The coast is warm, humid, and breezy, a natural add-on.

The migration remains in full force, and river crossings may continue through much of the month. Dry conditions are ideal for game viewing throughout Kenya — Amboseli, Laikipia, and Samburu are all excellent. Slightly less frantic than August but every bit as rewarding. The coast is still warm and sunny, ideal for a bush-and-beach combo!

A brilliant month that often gets overlooked. The first half delivers some of the year’s best game viewing — the bush is at its driest, visibility is exceptional, and wildlife clusters around the last remaining water sources. The tail-end of the migration is still in the Mara as herds begin their gradual retreat south. Short rains arrive in the second half of the month. Kenya’s coast is warm and lively in the first half, with occasional afternoon storms in the second half.

Short, sharp afternoon showers refresh the landscape, while mornings stay clear and perfect for game drives. Vegetation in November is still relatively thin after the long dry season, meaning game viewing is considerably better than during the heavy rains of April and May. Fewer tourists, lower prices, and excellent wildlife make it an underrated month. On the coast, moderate rainfall and humidity make it less ideal for a dedicated beach stay.

The short rains ease by mid-December, giving way to sunny, clear days and that fresh post-rain light that photographers dream about. It’s green, lush, lush and green, and the birding is excellent! Wildlife viewing picks up sharply in the second half of the month. Meanwhile, the coast is sweltering and humid with occasional showers!