Know Before You Go: Kenya Tours

Kenya offers rewarding wildlife viewing in every season, and different months suit different travelers. Choosing when to go on safari in Kenya shapes what you see, how it feels outside and how many other vehicles you share sightings with. Because much of safari country sits between about 5,000 and 7,000 feet, temperatures are mild year-round, even though Kenya lies near the equator.  
 

Kenya Weather and Seasons: What to Expect on Safari

Kenya does not follow a four-season pattern like many temperate destinations. Instead, safari conditions are shaped by two rainy seasons and the drier periods between them. Rain typically falls in short, localized bursts rather than day-long storms, but even brief rainfall can influence road conditions, vegetation and wildlife movement. Understanding these patterns helps travelers choose the best timing for wildlife viewing, photography and overall safari comfort.

Kenya’s Two Rainy Seasons Explained

Long rains (March–May) 
This is the wettest period of the year, when landscapes turn lush and green. Expect higher humidity, more cloud cover and occasional muddy tracks, especially in April. Wildlife remains abundant, but animals are more widely dispersed because water is available across the landscape.

Short rains (November–early December) 
These rains are typically lighter and more variable, often arriving as afternoon showers. Conditions usually recover quickly, leaving fresh vegetation and good visibility between storms. This period can offer green scenery with fewer visitors and solid game viewing.

Drier Periods and What They Mean on Safari

June–October 
Generally drier and cooler, with clearer skies and reliable road access. As surface water becomes scarce, wildlife concentrates around rivers and permanent water sources, creating excellent viewing conditions.

January–February 
Often hot and dry, with strong visibility and good driving conditions. These months are especially favorable for photography due to brighter light and minimal weather disruption. What Is Wildlife Viewing Like During Kenya’s Dry Season? Kenya’s primary dry season runs approximately from June through October, when rainfall is low and daytime temperatures on the high plateaus typically range from the mid-70s to low 80s°F. During this period, travelers can expect:

• Excellent wildlife visibility, as grasses are shorter and animals gather predictably near rivers and waterholes

• Comfortable safari conditions, with warm days and cool mornings and evenings, often dipping into the 50s°F

• Strong photography opportunities, thanks to clear air and long sightlines

• Higher visitor concentrations in headline regions, particularly the Maasai Mara, which makes Nat Hab’s small groups, private conservancy access and flight-based routing especially valuable

Many travelers choose this season for its consistent game viewing, big cat activity and the possibility of seeing the Great Migration in Kenya.

What Is the Green Season Like in Kenya?

Kenya experiences two green seasons each year, typically May–June following the long rains and November–January after the short rains, depending on annual conditions. These periods bring renewed vegetation and dynamic wildlife behavior.

• Vibrant, green landscapes, with fresh grasses and flowering plants that enhance photography

• Moderate temperatures, with daytime highs often in the upper 70s to low 80s°F and cooler nights

• Seasonal wildlife activity, as many grazing species give birth when food is plentiful, drawing predators

• Fewer vehicles, creating quieter, more relaxed wildlife encounters

Travelers drawn to lush scenery, softer light and lighter visitor traffic often find the green seasons especially rewarding.

When Is the Best Time to See the Great Migration in Kenya?

The Great Migration is a continuous, year-round movement of more than a million wildebeest, zebras and other grazers across the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem, driven by rainfall and fresh grazing rather than fixed dates. In many years, migrating herds enter Kenya’s Maasai Mara from roughly July through September, sometimes extending into October if grazing conditions hold. 

What to Know About Migration Timing

• Rainfall determines movement, so exact dates and river crossings can never be guaranteed

• Wildlife viewing in the Mara remains excellent year-round, even when the largest herds are elsewhere in the ecosystem

Nat Hab itineraries are designed around typical migration patterns while remaining flexible by nature. By staying in private, community-owned conservancies and using flight-based routes, guests enjoy calm wildlife encounters whether the herds arrive early, late or right on time.