With about half the nation on both aspect of the equator, Kenya’s local weather isn’t a simple break up of dry and moist seasons. In truth, its dry season has a brief moist season, and its moist season is interrupted by a dry one – clear as mud?
What this implies is there’s not precisely a single finest time to go to Kenya. There may be someplace splendid to go to at any time of yr, however for the Nice Migration, hen migration or high quality diving, you’ll want to choose particular instances. For climbers, the dry season is prime time for security and visibility. Temperatures are typically constant throughout Kenya, with the coast hotter however humidity can fluctuate. When you’re heading for the mountains, it might get chilly, and Kenya’s highest peak, Mt Kenya, is at all times lined in snow.
Kenya counts greater than 42 tribes or communities in its inhabitants of practically 54 million folks, and plenty of festivals and occasions have fun this variety, from Lamu Cultural Competition celebrating the archipelago’s Swahili heritage to Mombasa Carnival to the year-round enchantment of the capital Nairobi.
Excessive Season: July to October and January to February
Greatest time to see the Nice Migration
If the wildebeest migration is in your listing, head to the Masai Mara from July onward to watch certainly one of nature’s best sights as 1000’s of wildebeest, zebras and giraffes make the transfer from the Serengeti. These months are an pleasing time to go to any of Kenya’s parks as a result of the grass is skinny, there’s little rainfall and sightings are simpler as animals congregate round waterholes. It’s additionally climber-friendly due to the great visibility and lack of rain.
Shoulder Season: November, December and March
Greatest time for lush landscapes, dry season half two and underwater adventures
The “quick rains” of November and December are an opportunity to expertise Kenya’s safari reserves at their lushest however nonetheless accessible. Many new child animals make their appearances, and it’s a beautiful time to see flamingos and migratory birds earlier than the nation’s excessive season in January and February when the Mara, Amboseli Nationwide Park and Lake Nakuru are notably common.
Water visibility is perfect too, so this can be a nice time for divers and snorkelers.
Low Season: April to June
Greatest time for smaller crowds and decrease costs
The “lengthy rains” hit in April and Might, and generally in March too. Whereas the wet season might be off-putting for some vacationers, this time of yr might be extremely rewarding, and the Mara stays accessible in March. Crowds skinny out, and you may benefit from the quietness and solitude of nature. Some safari lodges and camps shut throughout this time as a result of fixed rain can hamper visibility in some parks, and the humidity might be uncomfortable. It’s nonetheless a good time to be by the coast, however heavy rains can scale back visibility for divers and snorkelers.
January
Sizzling and dry, the excessive season beckons as the brand new yr begins. January is a well-liked and busy time for every part: safari, climbing, metropolis exploring, diving, snorkeling and seashore stays. The capital’s meals scene is popping, and Nairobi Restaurant Week is an opportunity to get your fill. Dry season is especially good (and secure) for climbing Mt Kenya and different peaks and for climbing in locations comparable to Hell’s Gate Nationwide Park. You’ll be able to normally profit from off-season costs at Masai Mara as a result of its large migration season comes in the summertime (July-August), and migratory birds are flying into the Mara as an alternative.
Key occasions: Nairobi Restaurant Week
February
February sees each the excessive and dry seasons in Kenya. The shortage of rain makes it a well-liked selection for safari, with minimal muddy terrain and loads of wildlife to see. It’s additionally a high time for climbing and climbing, though it being peak season, crowds and costs can each enhance particularly in common areas. Temperatures are greater than nice, and for a spot of tradition within the capital, ebook tickets prematurely for the Nairobi Worldwide Jazz Competition.
Key occasions: Nairobi Worldwide Jazz Competition
March
It is getting hotter and extra humid because the wet season beckons, however March stays a very pleasing time to be in Kenya. Costs might be within the traveler’s favor, and sometimes the rains arrive later within the month, so you have to be high quality within the earlier half. Diving and snorkeling is rewarding in March, with clear water and good visibility, and seashore events, a year-round occasion, are particularly welcome on these balmy evenings as the new, dry season begins to present approach to the rains. For walkers, climbers and outside sorts, the Mount Kenya Competition is a strolling, climbing, working, biking celebration of the nation’s highest peak.
Key occasions: Easter (dates relying), Mount Kenya Competition
April
The “inexperienced” season is properly underway in April because the rains fall on Kenya’s plateaus. It’s wetter and lusher, however the coast round Mombasa and Malindi can really feel extraordinarily scorching and muggy with numerous mosquitoes. Wildlife viewing might be tougher due to thick vegetation and fewer animals congregating at water sources, however the panorama seems to be spectacular, and lodging are cheaper. Rain might be torrential in April and Might, but it surely normally comes within the afternoons, so mornings are sometimes clear. Nairobi is cooler (carry layers for the night), so it’s an exquisite time to benefit from the capital’s cultural and meals scene.
Key occasions: Easter (dates relying)
Might
Don’t dismiss Might for safari or wildlife viewings. Sure, the grasses are longer, and sightings are trickier, however the mild and colours might be extraordinary for pictures. Samburu Nationwide Reserve in northern Kenya is an effective selection as wildlife gathers on the riverbanks of the Ewaso Ngiro River. Alongside the coast, visibility is just not at its finest for diving and snorkeling, but it surely’s a enjoyable time of yr to take advantage of offers and luxuriate in a few of Mombasa, Malindi and Diani seashores’ high eating places and bars in case you’re after a soothing keep.
Key occasions: Labor Day
June
Because the rains transfer on, cooler and cloudier climate wanders in forward of excessive season. June is an excellent time to expertise Kenya’s highlands, and with low humidity, strolling and climbing grow to be somewhat simpler. This shoulder season month is a beautiful time for wildlife viewing, particularly in northern Kenya after the lengthy rains, and it’s additionally the beginning of the migration. The coast is generally dry, and costs are somewhat decrease earlier than excessive season kicks off in July.
Certainly one of Kenya’s greatest cultural festivals takes place in June, and the Lake Turkana Competition within the Rift Valley, celebrates the heritage of the communities who dwell right here. When you’re into off-road racing or need to watch, the Rhino Cost, an off-road race that raises funds to preserve Aberdares Forest, is sort of the spectacle.
Key occasions: Rhino Cost, Lewa Safari Marathon, Madaraka Day, Lake Turkana Competition
July
July marks the beginning of the excessive (and cooler) season, with near-perfect temperatures all over the place. The coast, metropolis and parks are all at their best, and extra crowds have arrived because of this. July is when wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions and different animals begin to migrate in huge numbers from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara because the Nice Migration begins, the holy grail for a lot of vacationers. July can also be a great time to identify large flocks of pink flamingos at Lake Nakuru.
Key occasions: begin of the Nice Migration
August
Very like July, August is among the finest all-around months to go to Kenya, but it surely’s a busy time. The Nice Migration is properly and actually underway, and wildebeest are filling the Mara plains. When you’re not within the Mara, August is a superb time to go to different nationwide parks and conservancies round Kenya. The coast is a tempting prospect with stunning breezes wafting in as you sip that cocktail. You may as well go to Nairobi with out the humid stickiness that makes city exploring more durable work. For a hyper-local expertise in northern Kenya, the one-day Maralal Camel Derby is a colourful show of camels, costumes and tradition.
Key occasions: Maralal Camel Derby
September
September affords the very best of July and August by way of climate and wildlife, however with barely fewer crowds, particularly within the latter a part of the month. You’ll be able to nonetheless catch the migration as scorching, dry climate units in, and there’s virtually no likelihood of rain. It’s additionally a profitable expertise by the coast and within the capital. Though crowds have dropped off, costs are principally the identical, however eating places usually provide good offers after peak excessive season. September can also be when the East African Group Arts Competition JAMAFEST takes place. It’s each two years and rotates between East African nations.
Key occasions: JAMAFEST
October
When you’re intent on catching the Nice Migration, arrive within the first half of October to catch the straggler animals on the transfer. Crowds are smaller, and it’s heat and dry. Nairobi hosts the Tusker Safari Sevens in October, an annual Rugby Sevens match open to worldwide groups, making a buzz within the metropolis. October 20 is Mashujaa Day, also referred to as Heroes Day, it honors these concerned in Kenya’s independence motion. It’s a public vacation, Nairobi and coastal areas are buzzing as Kenyans head to the seashores and parks.
Key occasions: Tusker Safari Sevens, Mashujaa Day, Lamu Yoga Competition
November
November is a enjoyable month for pageant lovers, with each Mombasa Carnival and Lamu Cultural Competition celebrating the wealthy heritage of Kenya’s ethnic teams and communities. Floats, music and dance epitomize Mombasa’s avenue celebration whereas on the archipelago of Lamu off the northern coast, Lamu Cultural Competition consists of conventional dancing referred to as ngoma and centuries-old abilities comparable to dhow (sailboat) constructing, fish-trap making and dhow regattas.
For Kenya’s South Asian inhabitants, Diwali/New Yr celebrations happen (generally in October), so the temples are buzzing, decorations are up and there’s an above-average manufacturing of Indian mithai (sweets). Climate is blended with solar and rain, however November stays a great guess for safari.
Key occasions: Mombasa Carnival, Lamu Cultural Competition
December
When you like your landscapes lush and considerable, December in Kenya is magical. The rains are likely to cease across the center of the month, and Kenya’s parks tackle a beautiful inexperienced hue forward of the upcoming second “excessive season” of January and February. December 12 marks Jamhuri Day. Jamhuri means republic in Swahili, and today is when Kenya marks its 1963 independence from Britain and its structure as a republic a yr later, with cultural occasions, dances and music.
The 2-day Rusinga Cultural Competition on Lake Victoria celebrates the number of Kenya’s communities, whereas the Beneath the Baobabs Competition in Kilifi is among the coast’s finest music festivals, with East African and worldwide performers, large artwork and funky costumes.
Key occasions: Jamhuri Day, Rusinga Cultural Competition, Christmas, New Yr’s Eve, Beneath the Baobabs Competition
