Know Before You Go: Kenya Safaris

While East Africa has distinct seasons that dictate the migration and the rains, wildlife viewing here is good all year. The migration is always happening—for 10 months of the year, the migration occurs in the Serengeti, and for 6 weeks of the year the herds migrate back and forth between the Maasai Mara and the Seregenti. From December to March, there are millions of animals on the open plains of the Serengeti, offering 360-degree views of wildlife, and babies abound at the start of February. June through October is often considered a peak time, when dry conditions and shorter grass drive the herds to migrate between the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara. There is also a chance of witnessing Mara River crossings.

It’s important to remember that the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti, where many of our safari days take place, have a different rain pattern than the rest of East Africa, one that drives the migration. Despite sitting on the equator, East Africa tends to be quite temperate. The main rainy seasons are from March to May and November to December. Many popular safari destinations are situated at an altitude of 5,000–6,500 feet, which keeps temperatures at a comfortable level. Coastal areas are hotter, but the ocean breeze helps to maintain fairly comfortable conditions for most of the year.

Unlike other East Africa itineraries that focus on the migration, the rhinoceros is the highlight of our Kenya Rhino Conservation Safari, though we do travel during the peak time of June through October. 

Daytime temperatures in the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti range from the mid-to high-70s all year, making them a very pleasant safari destination. Evenings can be in the 50s, so a fleece or sweatshirt is recommended. It tends to be a little cooler in the high plateaus and warmer on the coast for those who extend their safaris there. Outside the main rainy seasons, rainstorms come to East Africa at different times throughout the year, but they tend to be brief and spectacular afternoon thunderstorms.

The Maasai Mara National Reserve is a protected area in southwestern Kenya covering 580 square miles. It is situated next to—and is the northern extension of—the Serengeti in northern Tanzania, which covers an astounding 11,583 square miles.

The Serengeti and Maasai Mara have an exceptionally large population of predators, including lions, leopards and cheetahs, as well as zebras, gazelles and wildebeest that take part in the annual Great Migration. Buffalo and elephant can be found in large numbers here, along with hundreds of unique bird species, making for a unique, diverse wildlife viewing experience.

Unlike other East Africa itineraries, the rhinoceros is the highlight of our Kenya Rhino Conservation Safari.

Wildlife in East Africa is usually the most active in the morning and evenings. This works out especially well for travelers because the morning and evenings are the coolest times of the day, and therefore the best times to be out in the bush. The morning and evening also provide the best lighting for capturing the perfect photographs of any animals you may encounter on your game drives or bush walks.

Africa’s famed Big Five are the lion, buffalo, elephant, rhino and leopard. Originally named for the immense challenge they presented to hunters, these animals now embody the allure and majesty of African wildlife. Observing a pride of lions lounging beneath an acacia tree or witnessing the stealthy elegance of a leopard at dusk ignites a profound sense of wonder. Each unforgettable sighting leaves an indelible impression, underscoring the importance of protecting these iconic species for generations to come.

The Great Migration is the largest group movement of land mammals on Earth. During this event, around 1.5 million wildebeest, gazelle and zebra traverse the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara with hordes of hungry predators in tow. As the plains dry out, they move in search of greener lands to the northern Serengeti. The sheer scale of this event and the intense encounters between predator and prey offer an unrivaled and unmissable wildlife spectacle.

The migration is always happening—for 10 months of the year, the migration occurs in Tanzania, and for 6 weeks of the year the herds migrate back and forth between Kenya and Tanzania. Each time of year offers unique experiences. From December to March, there are millions of animals on the open plains of the Serengeti, offering 360-degree views of wildlife, and babies abound at the start of February. June through October is often considered a peak time, when dry conditions and shorter grass drive the herds to migrate between the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara. There is also a chance of witnessing Mara River crossings. While herds of wildebeest and zebra numbering hundreds of thousands can be seen at this time, local factors such as rainfall and wildfires affect wildlife movement patterns and cause mini migrations through the Maasai Mara and northern Serengeti. As a result, sightings of the iconic lines of animals stretched across the plains can never really be predicted, but our safaris put you in areas with the highest chances of witnessing this spectacle. Please note that unlike other East Africa itineraries which focus on the migration, rhinos are the highlight of our Kenya Rhino Conservation Safari.

East Africa is home to the Maasai people, a traditional tribe of pastoralists. Once nomadic and fiercely warlike, the Maasai have lived alongside wildlife for centuries and consider themselves the guardians of the ecosystem. Depending on the location of the small safari camps and lodges chosen for your itinerary, it may be possible to include an authentic and culturally sensitive visit to a local village, market or school and also spend time on a Maasai naturalist-guided bush walk, seeing nature through their eyes and learning some of the skills the warriors use when traveling through the wilderness.

We travel by light aircraft, and our game drives and road transfers are done in either open or closed 4x4 safari land cruisers (see each specific itinerary for details). Our safari vehicles have cushioned passenger seats, and we rarely fill them to capacity so that each guest gets a window seat and has plenty of room for gear.

Though it gets warmer throughout the day and temperatures rise in the afternoon, mornings and nights can be quite cold, so guests should pack multiple layers. Bring lightweight long- and short-sleeved shirts, pants (zip-off pants are a great idea), a warm fleece or jacket, a hat and good walking shoes for bush walks. A wide-brimmed hat is always helpful on an Africa safari! For further details of what to bring, peruse this helpful packing list and check out Nat Hab’s online Gear Store for some of the key items recommended for your adventure.

East Africa is diverse in its topography, with vast savannas, lush coastlines and snowcapped mountains. Wildlife is prolific, and with the varying terrain, animal viewing and exploration are quite exciting. East Africa can have more visitors than some other African safari countries, but with our carefully arranged itineraries that take us to small, out-of-the-way permanent and mobile tented camps, we do a good job of avoiding those crowds.

Our mobile safari camps are located in the heart of wildlife regions and allow us an experience that is different from that at permanent camps, particularly in the evening when others have left the park, and we remain. These spacious accommodations combine comfort with immersion in nature. Each private room includes full beds and bedding, a bathroom and a hot-water safari shower. Our camps are designed with classic décor, giving them the safari feel of yesteryear but with all the modern comforts.

On many of our safaris, we combine stays in our exclusive Nat Hab private mobile camps with stays in luxury permanent camps and lodges, often in private reserves where we can do night drives and safari walks. Please consult the accommodations in each trip for specific details of the lodgings we use.

Meals on our African safaris are often described as “fine cuisine!” Breakfast generally consists of a light continental meal before our morning activities, and then often, there is coffee/tea with treats while on game drives. Returning late in the morning, we generally enjoy a full, hot brunch/lunch at camp; on the days we do a longer game drive, a picnic buffet lunch may be served in the bush. Dinners at the end of a long and exciting day can be quite elaborate, with European and local dishes often tilted toward American tastes. We provide plenty of options for all palates and dietary restrictions.

Kenya's national currency is the Kenyan Shilling (KES). Click here to check the current exchange rate for USD to KSH. Tanzania's national currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS). Click here to check the current exchange rate for USD to TZS. Since the acceptance of U.S. dollars is widespread throughout East Africa, it is much easier to refrain from exchanging money.

Internet access is available at most of the permanent lodges and mobile camps we use in East Africa, but since it is Africa, expect it to be slow and limited. Please check with us for details regarding the connectivity specific to the trip; however, we recommend that you don’t rely on having a consistent connection throughout your trip. Cellphones are permitted in case of emergency, but we ask that guests refrain from using them during group activities so as not to disturb other travelers or the animals themselves.

East Africa is a fantastic destination for families with both teenage and younger children. If you’re looking for a safari designed specifically for families, consider our Family Adventures. 

Yes! Families or friend groups can reserve entire departures on a private basis. Please call our office at 800-543-8917 for group size and pricing details.

Guests are responsible for booking round-trip flights from their home city to East Africa. We recommend that you use Natural Habitat Adventures’ Travel Desk, as our Air Travel Specialists are intimately familiar with the requirements of our trips and can arrange the most efficient and cost-effective travel. Please check the Getting There & Getting Home section on the Dates, Prices & Info page for details on your adventure's required arrival and departure times.

Nat Hab is happy to reserve a hotel room for you at our group accommodation before your East Africa tour begins, but please note that pre-nights are subject to availability at the time of booking. Please speak with our Travel Desk if you’re interested in booking extra nights.