Planning

When to go

There is no bad month for a Kenya safari, only different ones. Here is what each part of the year is like, and how it changes from region to region.

January to February
Short dry season
Hot, dry and clear. Good game viewing everywhere, and a popular time for the coast. Many herds calve in the southern Serengeti around now, so the Mara is quieter for wildebeest but the resident animals are all there.
March to May
Long rains
Afternoon storms, green landscapes and the lowest rates of the year. Some camps close in April and May, and a few roads get muddy. Good for photographers who want dramatic skies and fewer vehicles.
June to October
Long dry season
The busiest months. Grass is short, animals gather near water, and the migration herds are usually in the Mara from about July. Book camps well ahead, especially for August.
November
Short rains
Brief showers, usually in the afternoon. The country turns green again quickly. Rates drop and trips are still very workable.
December
Festive season
Mostly dry and busy over the holidays, particularly at the coast. Prices rise for the last two weeks of the year.