When is the best time to visit Kenya
There are some things you have to consider before deciding when to travel to Kenya. As far as the climate is concerned, this African country has different climatic varieties depending on the area. The altitude, the monsoon winds, or the humidity are factors to take into account.
Best time to travel to Kenya
In Kenya there are clear climatic differences according to the months: January and February, for example, have a dry climate with pleasant temperatures. From March to May, the rain takes centre stage, just like from October to December. Summer is another thing, because between June and September the climate is cooler and drier.
During the dry season (June to September), average temperatures range between 23ºC and 28ºC. Depending on the altitude, the lowest temperatures will occur in the high areas, such as the Masai Mara, and the highest on the Kenyan coast. Of course, keep in mind that, in the night hours, especially at dawn, the thermometer reads 10ºC.
In humid months (from November to May), temperatures are higher, reaching up to 30ºC in coastal areas. During November and December the rains are constant, but of short duration, and January and February are miraculously dry months. From March to May the rains take centre stage, especially in the high areas.
To summarise, we could say that if you don’t know when to travel to Kenya, you should do so in January or February. However, everything depends on the reason for your trip and the places you want to visit.
When to travel to northern Kenya
To discover a little-known area of Kenya, home of the Samburu and other Kenyan ethnic groups, you should know that it is a very arid region. In the north the temperature will be between 20ºC and 40ºC depending on the season, so it is best to visit it between November and December.
The months of June, July and August are also a good time to travel to Kenya because they coincide with the dry season, and although they may seem warmer, in that region the temperatures are less high.
When to travel to Mount Kenya
If you like adventure and your trip is motivated by a visit to the Natural Park of Mount Kenya, with its 5,199 metres of altitude, avoid the rainy season. Keep in mind that the altitude reaches temperatures of -10ºC at night, so it is better to visit this place in the warm season.
The months of January and February, as well as September and October, are the most recommended for hiking and to discover the wonders of this national park, which has been declared a World Heritage Site.
When to travel to Kilimanjaro
Another treasure which Kenya is hiding is Kilimanjaro, with its 5,895 metres, a symbol of the Amboseli National Park. To enjoy all the beauty of this natural park and its wildlife, the best time is between December and February.
On the other hand, the Kilimanjaro can be climbed throughout the year; although it is better to avoid the months of March to June, because this is when more rains fall. Other perfect months to visit this area are between June and September.
When to travel to the Kenyan coast
The beaches of Kenya also have a great attraction for travellers: places like Watamu or Malinidi are little-known and worthy paradises to be visited. Also on the coast, you can visit the famous city of Swahili; for this, the best time is between December and March.
If you want to avoid the rains, don’t travel to the coast between April and March because, although the temperature remains pleasant, you will not be able to bathe in the sea. October and November are also rainy, so they would not be good months to enjoy this area of Kenya.
When to travel to the Masai Mara
The Rift Valley is the paradise of big cats and the great herds of herbivores. To enjoy this spectacle of nature, the best months are January and February, with optimal temperatures and no rain. Between July and October you can also visit this region, especially in August and September, when the Great Migration of animals takes place, a unique experience.
Between March and May the rains become more present, although it is still possible to make safaris in the Masai Mara. Of course, the animals will not be as visible as in the dry season; for this reason it is better to forget about these months.
If you still have doubts about when to travel to Kenya to visit for example the Nakuru Lake National Park, the Turkana Lake, the Tsavo Occidental springs, or the Lamu archipelago, don’t think twice; January and February are the perfect months.
Kenya is much more than doing a safari, so any time is a good time to visit.