Kenya travel guides
Everything you need to plan a Kenya safari, from when the Great Migration reaches the Masai Mara to what a safari really costs once park fees are added. We show the date we last checked every fee.
When to go, at a glance
Kenya's regions have different seasons. Green is the best time, amber is mixed and red is wet or difficult.
Choose your month
January
Dry and warm: one of the best months for safari, with lower Masai Mara fees.
- Samburu and Laikipia (best)Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lewa
- Rift Valley lakes (best)Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha
- Masai Mara (best)plus the Great Migration, July to October
- Amboseli and Tsavo (best)elephants below Kilimanjaro
- Coast (best)Diani, Watamu, Lamu
Swipe sideways to see all 12 months →
| Region | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masai Maraplus the Great Migration | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Best |
| Rift Valley lakesNakuru, Naivasha | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Best |
| Amboseli and Tsavosouth | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed |
| Samburu and Laikipianorth | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Mixed |
| CoastDiani, Watamu | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Best |
When to go
Month by month
Weather, festivals and the best places to go in each month.
Itineraries
3 day Masai Mara safari from Nairobi: what to expect and how to choose
The most popular safari in Kenya: two nights in the Masai Mara with one full day of game drives. Group safaris from Nairobi cost about US$450 to 700 per person with park fees; check what's included before you book.
Updated 16 October 2026
Kenya safari itineraries: 3, 5, 7 and 10 days
Every Kenya safari starts in Nairobi. Three days covers the Masai Mara, five adds Lake Nakuru or Naivasha, seven adds Amboseli, and ten adds the north or the beach.
Updated 16 October 2026
Kenya safari planner: build a route for your month
Pick your month, trip length and extras. The planner adds Masai Mara nights in migration season, flags the rains and the Mara fee change in July, and builds a map, day by day plan and cost with park fees.
Updated 16 October 2026Places and things to do
Masai Mara safari guide: reserve or conservancy, how long and how to get there
The Masai Mara is Kenya's most famous safari, with big cats all year and the Great Migration from July to October. Choose between the busy national reserve and quieter private conservancies, and allow at least two or three nights.
Updated 16 October 2026Amboseli National Park: elephants, Kilimanjaro views and how to visit
Amboseli is famous for big, relaxed elephant herds walking below Kilimanjaro. Two nights is ideal, and early mornings give the best chance of clear mountain views.
Updated 16 October 2026
Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha: rhinos, flamingos and hippos
The Rift Valley lakes break up the drive to the Masai Mara. Lake Nakuru is one of the best places in Kenya to see rhinos; Lake Naivasha adds boat trips among hippos and walks among giraffes.
Updated 16 October 2026
Samburu and Laikipia: northern Kenya's rare wildlife and rhinos
Samburu's dry river country holds animals you won't see further south, and the Laikipia plateau, including Ol Pejeta, is Kenya's rhino stronghold. Add three or four nights for a second safari region.
Updated 16 October 2026
Tsavo East and West: big wild parks and the train to the coast
Tsavo is Kenya's largest protected area, split into Tsavo East and Tsavo West by the Nairobi to Mombasa road and railway. It pairs well with the coast, and the Madaraka Express stops at Voi on the park's edge.
Updated 16 October 2026
Nairobi on a stopover: elephants, giraffes and a city safari
Most Kenya safaris start and end in Nairobi. A spare day lets you see rhinos with the skyline behind them, orphaned baby elephants and giraffes you can feed by hand.
Updated 16 October 2026
Diani Beach and Kenya's coast: safari and beach in one trip
Diani Beach, south of Mombasa, is the easiest beach to add to a Kenya safari, about an hour's flight from Nairobi or the Masai Mara. December to March and July to October are the best months.
Updated 16 October 2026Wildlife and safaris
The Great Migration in Kenya: when and where to see it
Around 1.5 million wildebeest, with zebras and gazelles, circle between Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Masai Mara. They are usually in the Mara from July to October, with river crossings peaking in August and September.
Updated 16 October 2026
Kenya or Tanzania: which safari is better for you?
Kenya suits shorter trips and tighter budgets, with the Masai Mara close to Nairobi and the migration from July to October. Tanzania suits longer trips, with the vast Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Zanzibar. Many safaris combine both.
Updated 16 October 2026Costs and budgets
Practical tips
Kenya entry rules: the eTA, yellow fever and malaria
Most visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before flying to Kenya. A yellow fever certificate is needed if you arrive from a country with yellow fever, and malaria is present in most safari areas.
Updated 16 October 2026
Is Kenya safe for a safari? Advisories and practical tips
Millions of visitors safely enjoy Kenya's safari parks and beaches each year. Government advisories warn against the far north east and parts of the north coast near Somalia, well away from the main safari parks. Take normal city precautions in Nairobi and Mombasa.
Updated 16 October 2026How to choose a Kenya safari operator and avoid scams
Most Kenya safaris are run by local operators. Check reviews, membership of the Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO), a detailed written quote with park fees, and safe payment before you pay.
Updated 16 October 2026Kenya safari packing list
Pack light, in a soft bag, with layers for cold early game drives and hot afternoons. Neutral colours, a warm jacket, binoculars and sun protection matter most.
Updated 16 October 2026
Kenya safari with kids: how to plan a family safari
Kenya is one of Africa's easiest family safari destinations, with short drives from Nairobi, big animals everywhere and a beach to finish. Choose private vehicles, family rooms and camps that welcome children.
Updated 16 October 2026Ready to compare tours?
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