Kenya travel guide
Kenya's main safari window is June to October, when the weather is dry and wildlife viewing is strong. July to October suits the Great Migration in Maasai Mara. December to March is a second dry window. April and May bring the long rains, so plan those months carefully.
Facts checked 3 Nov 2026
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Kenya has two dry windows for a safari. The main one runs from June to October, and the second runs from December to March. Between them, the weather changes, and the rainy months in spring need more care. Use the month-by-month notes below to choose your dates.
For most safari travellers, yes. June to October is the main safari season, with dry weather, thinner vegetation and strong wildlife viewing. July to October is especially good for the Great Migration in Maasai Mara. Costs are higher in the peak months, so compare quotes carefully and check what each one includes.
Our research says July to October is especially good for the Great Migration in Maasai Mara. It does not give a week-by-week calendar, so ask your planner which weeks suit your dates before you book.
Yes, as a second window. The months are relatively dry and popular for safaris and beaches. Our research does not give temperature or rainfall figures for these months, so check the expected conditions with your planner before you book.
September to November is a strong shoulder period, with fewer crowds and good wildlife viewing. October to December can offer lower rates than the absolute peak in some cases. October can still be dry, though the rains may begin late in the month.
March to May turns wetter, and April and May are the long rains. November brings short rains and mixed conditions. These months can still suit a trip, but ask your planner which parks and activities work for your dates.
This guide is compiled from published tourism, weather and transport information. It was last checked on 2 November 2026. Where a detail is not confirmed, we say so and ask you to check it with a planner.
Read places to visit in Kenya, things to do in Kenya, Kenya trip cost and how to reach Kenya. Then compare the Kenya Safari 6N and Kenya Tanzania Safari 9N packages, or see the Kenya tour packages.
Ready-made trips
Nairobi 1N · Maasai Mara 4N · Nairobi 1N
Nairobi 1N · Maasai Mara 3N · Tanzania 5N
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FAQs
Short answers to what travellers ask about Kenya.
June to October is the main safari season, with dry weather and strong wildlife viewing. July to October is especially good for the Great Migration in Maasai Mara. December to March is a second dry window that suits safaris and beaches.
Our research says July to October is especially good for the Great Migration in Maasai Mara. It does not give a day-by-day calendar. Ask your planner which weeks suit your dates, since the timing depends on the season each year.
The long rains fall in April and May, and the months are wet. March is becoming wetter. November brings short rains with mixed conditions. Check your dates with a planner before you book, especially if you plan to travel in these months.
December is drier again and good for travel in many areas, which makes it a useful second window. It is popular for safaris and beaches, so book early. Ask your planner for the expected conditions in the parks you plan to visit.
September to November is a strong shoulder period, with fewer crowds and good wildlife viewing. September has excellent wildlife viewing in the dry season. Ask your planner about October, when rains may begin late, before you choose.
April and May are the long-rains months, and both are wet. March is hot and becoming wetter, while November has short rains and mixed conditions. These months can still suit some trips, so ask your planner which parks and activities work for your dates.
Both months are hot and dry, according to our research. That makes them a possible window for travel. Our research does not give temperature figures, so check the expected conditions with your planner before you book the trip.
Choose dry months where you can, and ask your planner to schedule outdoor activities for the cooler parts of the day. Our research does not give exact temperatures or rainfall, so confirm the conditions for your month and parks before you book.
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