The short answer
- Best for safari
- June to October, January to February
- Great Migration
- July to October
- Best value
- November, and April to May (rainy)
- Masai Mara fee
- Doubles from July to December
Kenya sits on the equator, so it is warm all year and safaris run in every month. What changes is the rain. Two dry seasons, from June to October and from January to February, are the easiest times to find animals, as the grass is short and wildlife gathers near water.
The Great Migration adds a second layer: the wildebeest herds usually spend July to October in the Masai Mara. That is peak season, with the highest prices and the busiest game drives.
Choose your month
Pick a month to see how each safari region and the coast usually look.
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
Every month at a glance
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 |
Where are the wildebeest in your month?
The Great Migration spends most of the year in Tanzania's Serengeti and usually arrives in Kenya's Masai Mara in July. See our full Great Migration guide.
Choose your month
Highlighted months: herds usually in Kenya.
August
- Masai Mara
- In Kenya
- River crossings
- Peak season
Peak migration in the Masai Mara, with river crossings most days somewhere along the Mara River.
Where the herds are: Northern Serengeti and Masai Mara
Kenya's seasons explained
| Months | Season | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January to February | Short dry season | Hot, dry and excellent for wildlife. The Masai Mara fee is at the lower rate. Good beach weather on the coast. |
| March to May | Long rains | Rain usually starts late in March and peaks in April. Green, quiet and the cheapest time; some camps close and roads get muddy. |
| June | Start of the dry season | The bush dries out and wildlife viewing improves, still at the lower Masai Mara fee. |
| July to October | Long dry season | Peak safari season and the Great Migration in the Masai Mara. Book lodges and flights months ahead. |
| November to December | Short rains | Showers are usually short, in the afternoon. Good value, then busy over Christmas. |
Tip: If you want the migration without the peak crowds and fees, look at late June or early to mid October, or stay in a private conservancy next to the Masai Mara.
Weather by region
Average highs, lows and rainfall. The safari parks are high and pleasant; the coast is hot and humid.
Average daily high / low and monthly rainfall
| Month | Nairobiabout 1,700 m | Masai Maraabout 1,600 m | Amboselidry, below Kilimanjaro | MombasaDiani is similar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25° / 12°55 mm | 28° / 13°85 mm | 30° / 15°50 mm | 32° / 24°35 mm |
| Feb | 26° / 12°40 mm | 28° / 13°90 mm | 31° / 15°45 mm | 33° / 24°15 mm |
| Mar | 26° / 13°80 mm | 28° / 14°120 mm | 30° / 16°80 mm | 33° / 25°55 mm |
| Apr | 24° / 14°170 mm | 26° / 14°195 mm | 28° / 17°140 mm | 31° / 24°155 mm |
| May | 23° / 13°150 mm | 25° / 13°120 mm | 27° / 15°45 mm | 29° / 23°240 mm |
| Jun | 22° / 12°40 mm | 25° / 11°40 mm | 26° / 13°5 mm | 28° / 22°90 mm |
| Jul | 21° / 11°15 mm | 24° / 10°30 mm | 25° / 12°5 mm | 28° / 21°70 mm |
| Aug | 22° / 11°25 mm | 25° / 11°45 mm | 26° / 12°5 mm | 28° / 21°65 mm |
| Sep | 24° / 11°25 mm | 27° / 11°45 mm | 28° / 13°5 mm | 29° / 21°65 mm |
| Oct | 25° / 13°50 mm | 28° / 12°60 mm | 30° / 14°30 mm | 30° / 22°90 mm |
| Nov | 23° / 13°125 mm | 27° / 13°115 mm | 29° / 16°110 mm | 31° / 23°95 mm |
| Dec | 23° / 13°90 mm | 27° / 13°100 mm | 29° / 15°80 mm | 32° / 24°70 mm |
Rounded long term averages. Blue shading marks the wetter months. Individual years can be hotter, colder or wetter.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to go on safari in Kenya?
August and September combine dry weather with the Great Migration in the Masai Mara. For fewer people and lower fees, February and late June are excellent.
Is it worth going to Kenya in the rainy season?
Often yes. Rain usually falls in short afternoon storms, the landscape is green, and prices drop. April and May are the wettest months, when some camps close and roads can be difficult.
When is the Great Migration in Kenya?
The herds usually arrive in the Masai Mara in July and stay until October, with river crossings most likely in August and September. Timing changes with the rains every year.
When is the best time for Kenya's beaches?
December to March and July to October. The coast is wettest in April, May and June.
Sources we checked
Kenya month by month
More Kenya guides
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
How much does a Kenya safari cost? Prices, park fees and a calculator
Expect about US$150 to 250 per person per day on a budget safari, US$300 to 500 mid range and US$700 or more for luxury, including park fees. Park fees alone can be US$200 to 600 per person on a short Masai Mara trip.
Updated 16 October 2026
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 2026
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