Best time to visit Kenya
The wildebeest migration, from Aug-Oct, is one of the world's greatest wildlife spectacles, with over a million animals thundering across the savannah.
Don't assume that the great migration is the best time to visit Kenya; the wildlife can be seen year-round, with babies being born towards the end of the year, and migratory bird species visiting from September to April. During the long rains – from March to May – some accommodation may shut down, and travel can be tough. However, photographers may enjoy the challenge of stormy skies and vibrant green landscapes. November - December's short rains cause less disruption, and refresh the vegetation.
Masai Mara Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
12
23
83
FEB
12
25
97
MAR
13
24
124
APR
14
22
169
MAY
13
22
109
JUN
13
20
56
JUL
11
20
27
AUG
12
22
42
SEP
13
23
48
OCT
14
23
53
NOV
13
23
99
DEC
13
23
112
Our Kenya Vacations
Serengeti Trail, Kenya & Tanzania safari
Overland truck safari
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US $1724 to US $2185
8 days
ex flights
Family cycling vacation in Kenya & Tanzania
Family Biking and camping adventure in Kenya and Tanzania
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US $3490
16 days
ex flights
Gorilla Safari & the Masai Mara
Superb safari and trip to see gorillas
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US $4495 to US $6975
16 days
ex flights
Gorillas and big game, Nairobi to Kigali tour
See classic African game
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US $4495 to US $6975
16 days
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Kenya wildlife camping safari
Game watching morning, afternoon and night
From
£2045
8 days
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Masai Mara luxury camp vacation, Kenya
5 Days Safari to Leopard Hill and Mara Naboisho
From
US $2000 to US $2400
5 days
ex flights
Kenya luxury safari, including Giraffe Manor
Combine Giraffe Manor with a luxury big 5 safari
From
£4985
7 days
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The Masai Heartlands safari
An amazing and great value 2 week truck safari
From
US $2844 to US $3545
15 days
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Complete Kenya safari
Tailor-made safari in Kenya's best wildlife-watching regions
From
£3500
7 days
ex flights
Kenya safari and Diani beach vacation
9 days bush and beach safari
From
US $3645 to US $4145
10 days
ex flights
Kenya migration safari vacation
Experience the Migration Season in Maasai Mara and Naboisho
From
US $3350
8 days
ex flights
Family Kenya safari & beach vacation, tailormade
Luxury tailormade safari and beach vacations in Kenya
From
£2845 to £3510
13 days
ex flights
Kenya beach resort on Manda Island
The perfect place to come and relax for days or weeks
From
£100
per accommodation per night (sleeps 2)
Kenya safari vacation, tailor made
Experience the ultimate safari adventure
From
US $2050 to US $2550
6 days
ex flights
Uganda and Kenya overland truck tour
Overland adventure in East Africa including Gorilla trek
From
£1360 to £1420
21 days
ex flights
Mt Kenya climbing vacation, Kenya
Trek Africa's second highest mountain
From
US $2475 to US $2715
6 days
ex flights
Masai Mara fly in safari, Kenya
Short on time? Fly in Kenya for maximum adventure!
From
£1880
5 days
ex flights
Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya camping safari, gorillas & the Mara
See gorillas in Rwanda and the big five on the Masia Mara
From
US $4495 to US $6975
16 days
ex flights
Biking vacation in Kenya & Tanzania
16 day biking and wildlife adventure in Kenya and Tanzania.
From
US $3490
16 days
ex flights
East Africa adventure vacation, safari, gorillas & beach
An extensive journey through east Africa
From
US $4012 to US $6139
22 days
ex flights
Kenya expedition to Lake Turkana
Proud warriors, nomadic communities and Samburu Game Reserve
From
£4299
11 days
ex flights
Kenya & Uganda vacation, Maasai Mara & mountain gorillas
Overland safari to Maasai Mara and the Mountain Gorillas.
From
£1182 to £2428
14 days
ex flights
Kenya wildlife adventure vacation
Track down the Big 5 as you roam the savannah
From
US $2031 to US $2489
9 days
ex flights
Kenya & Uganda small group vacation
Magnificent Lakes and Wildlife parks of Kenya
From
£1399
14 days
ex flights
Family safari in Kenya with the Maasai
Wild Family Safari
From
US $2545 to US $3145
7 days
ex flights
Giraffe Manor and wildlife safari in Kenya
Share breakfast with giraffes & the Masai Mara game reserve
From
£6680
8 days
ex flights
Kenya and Tanzania tour, 14 days
Nairobi to Zanzibar overland tour
From
£1020 to £1060
14 days
ex flights
Ethiopia to Kenya overland truck tour
Overland through Ethiopia's remarkable tribal lands
From
£1770 to £1860
24 days
ex flights
Kenya, month by month
Our top Kenya Vacation
Gorilla Safari & the Masai Mara
Superb safari and trip to see gorillas
From
US $4495 to US $6975
16 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 29 Jun, 15 Jul, 10 Aug, 26 Aug, 30 Sep, 19 Oct, 4 Nov, 11 Dec, 28 Dec
2020: 25 Jan, 10 Feb, 27 Jun, 13 Jul, 8 Aug, 24 Aug, 12 Sep, 28 Sep, 17 Oct, 2 Nov, 11 Dec, 27 Dec
2019: 29 Jun, 15 Jul, 10 Aug, 26 Aug, 30 Sep, 19 Oct, 4 Nov, 11 Dec, 28 Dec
2020: 25 Jan, 10 Feb, 27 Jun, 13 Jul, 8 Aug, 24 Aug, 12 Sep, 28 Sep, 17 Oct, 2 Nov, 11 Dec, 27 Dec
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Kenya or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
What happens when in Kenya
Andrew Appleyard, from our supplier Exodus, discusses his best time to visit Kenya:
“I like to go in the first half of December. It’s the end of the light rainy season and it’s incredibly quiet – there’s no one around. The grass is fairly short so the wildlife viewing is absolutely fantastic. Sometimes you can have 30 vehicles in July, but in early December you’ll have two – I’ve always gone on those weeks as it’s so much quieter.”
“I like to go in the first half of December. It’s the end of the light rainy season and it’s incredibly quiet – there’s no one around. The grass is fairly short so the wildlife viewing is absolutely fantastic. Sometimes you can have 30 vehicles in July, but in early December you’ll have two – I’ve always gone on those weeks as it’s so much quieter.”
Roman Biondic, from our supplier Eyes on Africa Safaris, based in East Africa:
“The great wildebeest migration is madness – so many people come to see it and the Masai Mara is so small compared to the Serengeti. The wildebeest come from July to October but July and August is when people travel. This August one of our drivers counted the cars waiting in the morning for the river crossing – he counted 180, 200 cars. In June the wildebeest are already starting to cross, September and October they are still there – this is a much better time to visit as there are not so many people. Just spread it out a little bit outside the school vacations!”
“The great wildebeest migration is madness – so many people come to see it and the Masai Mara is so small compared to the Serengeti. The wildebeest come from July to October but July and August is when people travel. This August one of our drivers counted the cars waiting in the morning for the river crossing – he counted 180, 200 cars. In June the wildebeest are already starting to cross, September and October they are still there – this is a much better time to visit as there are not so many people. Just spread it out a little bit outside the school vacations!”
Our Kenya wildlife pick
The Mara River crossing
The Masai Mara and the Serengeti are separated by the Mara River – the greatest obstacle in the annual Great Migration. Around 1.5 million wildebeest – joined by zebra and gazelle – risk their lives amid the snapping jaws of crocodiles, who only feed during the migration. Though the river crossing can also be seen from Tanzania’s Serengeti, the Masai Mara provides the best viewpoints to pull up and watch the action. Just remember not to watch the whole thing unfold through the lens of a camera!
More about Kenya
The Maasai, the Mara and the greatest of migrations - our Kenya guide reveals how to explore these vast landscapes and meet the people who live alongside this extraordinary nature.
There are a remarkable amount of places to visit in Kenya with Samburu, Amboseli, Tsavo and the Mara River Crossing all featuring on our interactive map.
From game drives and walking safaris to meeting the Maasai, kicking back on the coast or embarking on volunteering projects - we have plenty of worthwhile things to do in Kenya.
Travel to East Africa and you can squeeze the maximum wildlife watching from a single vacation.
Amboseli National Park is one of Kenya’s most popular safari destinations.
Long established as a superb destination for a safari vacation, Kenya has abundant wildlife, iconic landscapes and plentiful accommodation to suit all budgets.
The Masai Mara is one of Kenya’s most compact reserves, yet huge populations of wildlife thrive here, their numbers swelled by the arrival of millions of wildebeest and zebra during the Great Migration.
Mount Kenya is Africa’s second highest mountain, a 5,000m+ dormant volcano that features rugged peaks, glaciers, waterfalls and lakes.
Meeting Kenya’s Maasai people is a cultural highlight of any vacation to Kenya and time spent with them brings multiple benefits to you, the visitor, and to the Maasai community.
The annual circular Wildebeest Migration in East Africa sees mega herds moving across the plains of Tanzania’s Serengeti and the Masai Mara in Kenya, on a constant quest for food.
Traveling in Kenya with kids isn't as scary as it might at first sound. There is an abundance of child friendly activities here, and you'll be spoiled for choice.
We share our top tips on the Great Rift Valley, climbing a mountain in East Africa and staying safe in Nairobi, plus valuable advice from our vacation reviews.
There are plenty of ways to travel right in Kenya with understanding Kenya responsible tourism issues, the perfect place to start.
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: MAKE IT KENYA PHOTO / STUART PRICE] [Elephants: Franco Pecchio]
[Advice: Kathleen Steeden]
[Mara crossing: Julian Mason]
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