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.
When to go to Kenya, month by month
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
Kenya 13 day safari
Experience 3 amazing, distinct safari ecosystems in Kenya
From
£8618
13 days
ex flights
Luxury Masai Mara Safari & Zanzibar Honeymoon
Luxury safari and beach trip that your honeymoon deserves.
From
£7357
14 days
ex flights
The Masai Heartlands safari
An amazing and great value 2 week truck safari
From
US $4077 to US $5130
15 days
ex flights
Kenya safari and beach by train
Explore Tsavo National Parks & the Kenyan coast
From
US $3800 to US $5000
12 days
ex flights
Kenya safari and beach family vacation
Masai Mara wildlife & Diani beach for families
From
£3188
10 days
ex flights
Kenya luxury safari vacation, 10 days
Luxury, adventure & unforgettable wildlife experiences
From
US $8760 to US $9310
10 days
ex flights
Contact Us
Call us for a chat about our vacations. We are happy to discuss your vacation and help in any way we can. No bots, queues or awful hold music.
1-866-821-6866
Call toll free
Calling from outside the USA
What happens when in Kenya
Andrew Appleyard, from our partner 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:
“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 Kenya articles
The Maasai, the Mara and the greatest of migrations - our guide reveals how to explore these vast landscapes.
There are a remarkable amount of places to visit, including Samburu, Amboseli, Tsavo and the Mara River Crossing.
The Masai Mara is one of Kenya’s most compact reserves, yet huge populations of wildlife thrive.
Amboseli National Park is one of Kenya’s most popular safari destinations.
The annual wildebeest migration in Kenya sees mega herds on the move, and predators too.
Long established as a superb destination for a safari vacation, Kenya has abundant wildlife and iconic landscapes.
From village visits to a stay at a Maasai-run camp, there are plenty of ways to get close to these landscape custodians.
There is an abundance of child friendly activities here, and you'll be spoiled for choice.
For first time travelers, Kenya is usually about three things: wildlife, wildlife, wildlife.
Travel to East Africa and you can squeeze the maximum wildlife watching from a single vacation.
From game drives and walking safaris to meeting the Maasai, kicking back on the coast or volunteering...
Our tips on what to eat in Kenya, with some tasty highlights of the country's diverse traditional cuisine.
We share our top tips on the Great Rift Valley, climbing a mountain in East Africa and staying safe in Nairobi.
Kenya has been living with climate change for some time now.
Learn about the importance of tourism in Kenya – and why it needs to be done right.
