Best Time to Visit Kenya

Kenya lies across the equator on the East Coast of Africa bordering Somalia, Ethiopia and Sudan to the North, Uganda to the west, Tanzania to the South and the Indian Ocean to the East. It covers an area of 225, 000 square miles approximately the size of Texas State, U.S.A. The country has eight Provinces including the Nairobi area. Provinces are including Central, Coast, Eastern, North Eastern Province, Rift Valley, Western and North Eastern and these provinces are divided into administrative areas known as districts. Kenya is pleasant and favourable with plenty of sunshine all year round and rainfall is sometimes heavy around April to May while some areas are cloudier though without much rain around July to August.

Kenya is a country in east Africa and a member of the commonwealth with a population of more than 47.6 million in the 2019 census making Kenya the 28th most populous country in the world and 7th most populous in Africa. Kenya’s capital and largest city is Nairobi and it is the oldest and second largest city, which in 1907 was also Kenya’s first capital city and the coastal city of Mombasa which includes; Mombasa island in the Indian ocean and the surrounding mainland. The Republic of Kenya is named after Mount Kenya, the earliest recorded version of the modern name which was written by German explorer Johann Ludwig Krapf in the 19th century while travelling with a Kamba caravan led by the long-distance trader chief Kivoi.

The Kenyan coast had served as host to communities of ironworkers and Bantu subsistence farmers, hunters, and fishers who supported the economy with agriculture, fishing, metal production, and trade with foreign countries. These communities formed the earliest city-states in the region, which were collectively known as Azania.

Kenya has considerable land area devoted to wildlife habitat including the Masai Mara, where blue wildebeest and other animals participate in a large-scale annual migration where more than one million wildebeest and 200,000 zebras participate in the migration across the Mara river making it the greatest safari attraction Kenya and east Africa.

The big five game animals of Africa which include; lions, leopard, buffalo, rhinoceros and elephants can be seen in Kenya and in Masai Mara in particular. A significant population of other wild animals, reptiles, and birds can be found in the national parks and game reserves in the country. The annual animal migration occurs between June and September with millions of animals taking part and attracting valuable foreign tourism. Two million wildebeest migrate a distance of 2,900 kilometers from Serengeti in neighboring Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya in a constant clockwise fashion searching for food and water supplies and this Migration is listed among the seven natural wonders of Kenya.

What is the best time and season for you to visit Kenya

The best time to visit Kenya for wildlife viewing and beach holidays is during the dry season from late June to October and January to February. Alternatively, the rainy season can be a good time to visit for bird watching and hiking, while the short rainy season is ideal for lower prices and fewer crowds. Having said that, the best time to visit Kenya solely depends on what you want to do and see during your trip. Kenya has a tropical climate with two distinct rainy seasons and two dry seasons.

The best season for you to visit Kenya would be from late June to October and here is a guide for the different seasons and activities to do during those times for you to make better travel plans;

Peak Season: though Kenya is a year-round destination, the best time to visit the beautiful and mystical highlands is usually from July to October and January to February and since the weather is warm and dry during these months, a lot of animals coming out to drink water will be seen making it easier for tourists to spot them. In this season, you can also enjoy the warm sunshine on a Kenyan beach or go hiking. During the peak tourist season, tourists flock to these places of Kenya since animals gather around waterholes and rivers, making it easy to spot them. However, as you know, during the peak season it can be overly crowded, and the prices will be very high making it less affordable for everyone.

Shoulder Season: The shoulder season in Kenya is typically during the months of January and February, as well as November and early December. These months fall between the two rainy seasons and the two dry seasons and are generally less busy and less expensive than the peak season. January and February are good months to visit if you are interested in seeing wildebeest calving in Masai Mara and this is the time when thousands of wildebeest give birth to their young. The Kenyan climate during this time is generally warm and dry, with occasional short rains making it probably the best time to visit Kenya.

Off Season: The off-season is during the long rainy season which typically runs from March to May and during this time, many lodges and camps in the wildlife reserves close due to the wet and muddy conditions. The wildlife viewing can be more challenging as the vegetation is lush and thick and the weather during the long rainy season is characterised by heavy rain and thunderstorms which makes roads difficult and disrupt for outdoor activities. Despite the challenges of the long rainy season, the Kenyan rainy season can be a great time to visit if you’re interested in bird watching, hiking, and experiencing Kenya’s stunning landscapes in their green and lush state and the long rainy seasons are the low seasons, so there are fewer tourists around and prices for accommodation and activities may be lower than during the peak season making the best option and the most ideal time to visit Kenya.