Once you have a plan for a holiday or family Safari in Kenya, or Kenya safari for any group, put into consideration the seasons of the year, despite the fact that most of the country is generally warm all year round. Kenya Experiences two major seasons the wet season and the dry season. The wet or rainy seasons that runs from March to May is when the country is very green and most of the wild animals are hidden in the bushy plains and cannot be seen by the tourists, which makes it rather not a good time to view wildlife. In addition, the tracks and roads which lead to the tourist destinations are muddy and are not easily accessible.
The best time or most favorable time to visit Kenya for safari is between the months from June to September. During this time the country experiences minimal amounts of rainfall that comes on very few days in a week; the vegetation is thin and generally there are fewer sources of water remaining for wildlife and so, wildlife viewing is at its best. Even from October to February is a favorable time. There could be some little rain but still okay for someone to have a safari.
Month by Month Account on Kenya’s Weather
Below we bring you a details month by month account on when to visit and what to do in Kenya during your holiday in the country
January in Kenya
This month is a wonderful period for visiting Kenya.it is hot with very little or no rain which is greatly favorable for game viewing. it’s a good time for birding as well
February weather in Kenya
It is good month also for visiting Kenya with warm temperatures and very little rain; still a great period for game viewing. Somebody can be able to plan ahead for the hot Sunny days on the idyllic beaches along Kenya’s coastlines. several migratory birds are present making it perfect for bird watching
March – the long rains begin
This month is quite different. It is hot but with rain; it marks the beginning of the long rain. The first days of the month are favorable for game viewing; normally it rains at night and for short hours. Possibly the areas around the coast are receiving a lot of rain. This is a good time for taking a Kenya Birding Safari as well since many migratory birds are present and the local species are nesting.
April – long rains months in Kenya
This month is not favorable for visiting as it is the season for the long rains. It is possibly hot and with a lot of rain normally falling at all times. Therefore, it cannot be the greatest time for game view.
May – wettest month, birding
May is the rainiest /wettest period of the year so; it cannot be favorable for touring. This month is warm and has short, heavy downfall of rain normally falling at sunset or in the night. Therefore, it cannot be a good period of game view. This is a good time for taking a Kenya Birding Safari as well since many migratory birds are present
June – end of rainy season
This month is wonderful for taking a Safari in Kenya. Reason being that the weather is hot and most places with stagnant water are drying up. Rain fall is coming to an end and introducing the thirsty periods. Nearly when the month is coming to an end, riverbanks and ponds become filled again with animals. Therefore, it is favorable for game viewing.
July – dry season, good game viewing, beach holiday
This month is hot and usually dry. It is a good time to have a safari. At this time of the year the Migrating herd of the Wildebeests from Tanzania’s Serengeti has reached the Masai Mara areas. Therefore, it is favorable for game view. This is also a very good time to enjoy a Kenya beach Holiday since the weather is very conducive.
August – dry season, good game viewing,
August is also favorable period for visiting. It is hot and usually dry though at dawn or in the afternoons there could be little rainfall. This month offers a desirable environment for game viewing. because the Wildebeest migrating herd at this time of the year is with the Masai Mara game reserve, we highly recommend our clients planning to visit this part of the country to book their Wildebeest Migration Safari early to enable us guarantee availability of their accommodation at the facilities they want on their safari dates since there are so many tourists at this time.
September – dry season, good game viewing and birding
This month is hot and usually dry possibly with a likelihood of short showers at dawn or in the afternoon. It is favorable for visiting and good environment for wild game view. Similarly, safari bookings are done early to guarantee availability of accommodation at the camps and lodges because the wildebeest Migration is still in the Masai Mara plains. This is a good time for birding as the migratory birds from North America and Europe begin to arrive.
October – short rains begin
This month is hot with irregular short rains normally falling at night. This makes the month also favorable for visiting. During this same month, the migrating Wildebeest herd will be moving down to the Serengeti plains found in Tanzania. The number of guests is also reducing and hence favorable for taking a safari. This is a good time for birding as the migratory birds from North America and Europe are continuing to arrive.
November – ideal for birding
November has irregular and little rainfall. It usually rains at night with a brief downpour. So the number of the guests is reducing hence favorable for taking a safari. The country is experiencing short rains, good time for birding
December, good for birding
This month has hot temperature with irregular short rains. It normally rains at night and usually with a short downfall. The early weeks of December are favorable for taking a safari in Kenya; the vegetation is not very thick so there are fair views of wildlife.
All in all; Kenya is an all year round destination and you can do Kenya safari tours at any time of the year, but the weather conditions differ from one month to the other. It is however also worth noting that due to the global warming phenomenon, the rains patterns have really been affected and the rains patterns are significantly unpredictable at least in the last decade or so in Kenya. Water levels have also changed in rivers and lakes leading to some change sin animals and birds patterns. The most notable ones is the levels of water in Lake Nakuru, Lake Baringo, Lake Naivasha, Lake Elmenteita and other smaller lakes in the Great Rift Valley and beyond.
Ready t book your safari in Kenya? Read about What to pack and what to wear during your safari in Kenya.