Best Time to Visit Kenya
June to October for safari and the Great Migration; December to March for the coast (Mombasa, Diani)
Quick Answer
Best Overall
June to October for safari and the Great Migration; December to March for the coast (Mombasa, Diani)
Peak Season
August–September (peak Great Migration river-crossing season) and December–February (coastal dry season, holiday period)
Shoulder Season
January–February, June–July
Cheapest Period
April–May (the long rains — safari roads can be difficult and some camps close) and November (short rains)
Weather Varies By Region
Kenya is large enough that no single "best time" applies everywhere. Here's how the timing changes region by region.
Nairobi & the central highlands
Jun–Oct, Jan–Feb (dry seasons)A mild, high-altitude climate year-round (Nairobi rarely exceeds 28°C) with two distinct rainy seasons — the 'long rains' (Apr-May) and 'short rains' (Nov).
Masai Mara & the Great Migration
Jul–Oct, peak Aug–Sep for river crossingsThe wildebeest migration is a year-round circular journey, but the dramatic Mara River crossings — when over 1.5 million wildebeest and zebra cross from Tanzania's Serengeti — cluster from late July through October, with mid-August to mid-September the most reliable window.
Mombasa & Diani Beach (the coast)
Dec–Mar (best), Jun–Oct also workableHot and humid year-round with two rainy seasons of its own — a long rains period roughly mid-March to early June and a shorter one around October-November; December through March is the most reliably dry and sunny stretch for beach time.
Month-by-Month Weather
Catalog Data· Climate normals, see sources below(Verified taxonomy records from the TravelGuidesFinder destination catalog.)Average high/low temperatures and rainfall for Nairobi (used here as a representative reference point — see regional notes above for other areas).
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°C / 80°F | 14°C / 57°F | 40mm | Shoulder |
| February | 28°C / 83°F | 14°C / 57°F | 50mm | Shoulder |
| March | 28°C / 82°F | 15°C / 59°F | 70mm | Low |
| April | 26°C / 79°F | 15°C / 60°F | 155mm | Low |
| May | 25°C / 77°F | 15°C / 58°F | 110mm | Low |
| June | 24°C / 75°F | 13°C / 55°F | 25mm | Shoulder |
| July | 23°C / 74°F | 12°C / 53°F | 12mm | Peak |
| August | 24°C / 75°F | 12°C / 54°F | 14mm | Peak |
| September | 26°C / 79°F | 13°C / 55°F | 25mm | Peak |
| October | 27°C / 80°F | 14°C / 58°F | 45mm | Peak |
| November | 25°C / 77°F | 15°C / 59°F | 120mm | Low |
| December | 26°C / 78°F | 15°C / 58°F | 80mm | Shoulder |
Season-by-Season Guide
Dry season / Great Migration (Jul–Oct)
Little rain, cooler nights (Nairobi highs 23-27°C); the Masai Mara's Mara River crossings cluster in this window
Good For
Short dry season (Dec–Mar)
Warm and mostly dry inland (Nairobi highs 26-28°C), the coast's best beach weather
Good For
Long rains (Apr–May)
Heaviest rainfall of the year (Nairobi gets over 100mm in both months); some safari roads become difficult and a number of camps close
Good For
Short rains (Nov)
A shorter, lighter rainy spell than April-May
Good For
Best Time to Visit For...
Great Migration river crossings
Late July–October, peak mid-August–mid-SeptemberThe migration is a year-round circular journey and crossings aren't fully predictable, but they cluster reliably in this window.
Beach time (Diani, Mombasa)
December–MarchThe coast's driest, sunniest stretch, avoiding both of its own rainy seasons.
Budget safari
April–May, NovemberMajor lodge discounts during the rains, though some roads and camps may be inaccessible.
Kilimanjaro views from Amboseli
June–October (driest, clearest skies)The dry season's clearer air gives the best odds of an unobstructed mountain view.
Cheapest Time to Visit
April and May (the long rains) bring the lowest safari lodge prices of the year, with some properties discounting substantially — the trade-off is difficult roads and more dispersed wildlife.
Busiest Time to Visit
August and September are the busiest and most expensive safari months, driven by peak Great Migration river-crossing demand in the Masai Mara; December-early January adds a separate coastal holiday-season spike.
Weather vs. Price Trade-off
June and early July offer a reasonable compromise for the Mara — the dry season has begun and wildlife viewing is already good, but prices and crowds haven't yet reached the August-September peak.
How to Get There
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi is the main gateway; the Masai Mara is reached by a 5-6 hour drive or a roughly 45-minute domestic flight, and Mombasa's Moi International Airport (MBA) serves the coast directly.
How Long to Stay
7-10 days covers a Nairobi/Masai Mara safari properly; 12-14 days allows combining a Mara safari with several days on the coast at Diani or Mombasa.
Sample Itineraries
What to Pack, By Season
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to see the Great Migration in the Masai Mara?
Late July through October, with mid-August to mid-September the most reliable window for dramatic Mara River crossings — though the migration is a natural, year-round journey and exact crossing timing isn't fully predictable.
What's the best time for a Kenya beach holiday?
December to March, the coast's driest and sunniest stretch, avoiding both of Mombasa and Diani's own rainy seasons (roughly mid-March–June and October–November).
Is it worth visiting Kenya during the rainy season?
For budget-conscious travelers, yes — April-May and November bring major lodge discounts and lush scenery, though some roads and camps become difficult to access or close entirely.
Last verified: 2026-09-19 · Climate figures are 30-year averages and will not match any single trip exactly.
Sources:Nairobi climate normals — Climates to Travel,Masai Mara migration timing — AfricanMecca Safaris,Diani Beach & Mombasa coastal climate — Asilia Africa