The short answer
- Month
- January
- Verdict
- Excellent
- Safari weather
- Dry and warm
- Great Migration
- In Tanzania (calving soon)
- Masai Mara fee
- US$100 a day
- Coast
- Hot and sunny
January is the short dry season. Game viewing is excellent everywhere, the Masai Mara fee is at its lower rate, and the coast is hot and sunny.
Kenya in January at a glance
The map opens on January; tap another month to compare.
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
Where is the Great Migration in January?
Choose your month
Highlighted months: herds usually in Kenya.
January
- Masai Mara
- Not in Kenya
- River crossings
- None
Herds graze the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti. Calving starts late in the month.
Where the herds are: Southern Serengeti
January across the year
How January compares with the rest of the year in each region. The ringed column is January.
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 to go in January
- Masai Mara: Resident lions, cheetahs and leopards, with fewer vehicles than in August.
- Amboseli: Dry plains and good chances of clear Kilimanjaro views.
- Diani Beach: Calm seas and sunshine for a beach finish.
What to avoid in January
- Booking late for New Year: camps fill early.
Events and holidays in January
- New Year's Day (1 January): A public holiday; the coast is busy over the holidays.
Weather in January
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with January highlighted.
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.
A 8 day trip for January
Our suggestion for January: Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli, then Diani Beach. Every trip can be made private, or try your own route in our Kenya trip planner.
Tip: For calving season, add a few days in Tanzania's southern Serengeti from late January.
Want a January safari made for you?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 8 days, built around your dates.
Other months
Thinking about December or February? See Kenya in December and Kenya in February, or compare every season in our guide to the best time to visit Kenya.
Rather have a trip to Kenya made just for you?
Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
Is January a good time for a Kenya safari?
Yes, one of the best: dry, warm, great game viewing and lower Masai Mara fees.
Sources we checked
Kenya month by month
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