Big Five density
The Masai Mara has world-class predator density and near-certain Big Five sightings. Add Lake Nakuru's rhinos and Amboseli's elephant herds and one trip can deliver the full set.
When to go
When to visit Kenya
Set in East Africa with a coastline on the Indian Ocean, Kenya is a year-round destination. For the best wildlife action aim for the peak dry season (July–September); for adventure + relaxation without peak prices, go December–February. Here's a month-by-month guide:
Best
Good
Low
JANUARY
- Warm, dry days (25–28°C) with cool nights; humidity low and mosquitoes scarce.
- Wildlife concentrates around waterholes; lions, cheetahs and wild dog easy to spot.
- Amboseli dazzles with clear Kilimanjaro views and huge elephant herds.
- Shoulder prices and fewer crowds than July–September peak.
- Short dry season
- Max temp 82°F
- Minimal rain
- Lion cubs, flamingos, migratory birds
- Amboseli + Kili views
- Best month
FEBRUARY
- Warm, dry days around 25°C; cool nights and dust-dry safari tracks.
- Cheetah and lion cubs stalk gazelle calves; Serengeti calving just across the border.
- Clear skies deliver postcard views of Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya.
- Moderate crowds and mid-range prices before the July peak.
- Dry shoulder
- Max temp 82°F
- None
- Cheetah cubs, Serengeti calving
- Bird watching, photography
- Best month
MARCH
- Long rains begin with afternoon showers; mornings still bright and warm.
- Bird migration peaks — kingfishers, herons and raptors pour in from Eurasia.
- Newborn impalas and gazelles fill the plains as grasses lengthen.
- Crowds thin and lodges open shoulder-to-low rates across the country.
- Long rains begin
- Max temp 82°F
- Afternoon showers
- Bird migration peak, newborn antelope
- Green-season birding
- Low season
APRIL
- Wettest month of the year — heavy, frequent downpours and lush green plains.
- Fewest tourists nationwide; many camps close or run skeleton staff.
- Outstanding birding as forest and woodland species become very active.
- Lodge rates fall 30–50% — the cheapest safari window of the year.
- Peak long rains
- Max temp 75°F
- Heavy, frequent
- Calving in Serengeti, rich birdlife
- Lodge discounts up to 50% off
- Low season
MAY
- Long rains taper; landscape peaks emerald with dramatic skies and waterfalls.
- Many herbivores calve, drawing lions and cheetahs into view again.
- Mara grasslands start drying late month — big cats easier to spot.
- Mid-range lodges still run at roughly half of August peak rates.
- Long rains taper
- Max temp 77°F
- Occasional
- Herbivore births, Mara drying
- Lush green photography
- Low season
JUNE
- Transition to dry — sunny days, crisp cool mornings around 10°C.
- Wildlife concentrates as pools shrink; predator sightings sharpen.
- First migration herds push into the northern Mara by month's end.
- High season begins late June — book ahead before peak rates hit.
- Transition to dry
- Max temp 77°F
- Light showers
- Migration enters Mara late month
- Early migration before crowds
- Good month
JULY
- Fully dry, cloudless days and icy early-morning drives — classic safari weather.
- Great Migration surges north; first Mara River crossings begin by month's end.
- Thin vegetation makes big cats, elephants and hippos effortless to spot.
- Peak season — book six to twelve months ahead for top camps.
- Dry & peak season
- Max temp 79°F
- No rain
- Great migration begins
- Mara river crossings start
- Best month
AUGUST
- Hot, dry, cloudless days — the busiest and most spectacular safari month.
- Peak Mara River wildebeest crossings and dramatic crocodile ambushes.
- Big cats shadow the herds; every game drive delivers action.
- Lodges and flights at annual price peak — reserve far in advance.
- Dry, hot
- Max temp 82°F
- No rain
- Peak migration river crossings
- Dramatic predator action
- Best month
SEPTEMBER
- Dry tail-end with warm days, cool nights and occasional light showers.
- Migration herds split — some cross back south while others linger in the Mara.
- Elephant and buffalo herds remain on parched plains, very productive drives.
- Slightly fewer crowds than August but still excellent big-game viewing.
- Dry tail-end
- Max temp 79°F
- Light possible
- Migration disperses, cats still active
- Fewer crowds, excellent game
- Best month
OCTOBER
- Short rains begin — late-afternoon showers, plenty of clear blue sky between.
- Wildebeest drift south; zebra and gazelle calving triggers predator hunts.
- Tsavo East, Amboseli and Nairobi NP feel nearly empty and very rewarding.
- Shoulder-season deals reappear late month as August prices ease.
- Short rains begin
- Max temp 79°F
- Afternoon showers
- Reverse migration south, calving
- Uncrowded Mara, shoulder prices
- Good month
NOVEMBER
- Short rains continue as brief afternoon bursts; countryside lush and green.
- Calving season peaks — zebras, wildebeest and Thompson's gazelles give birth.
- Lions, cheetahs and hyenas feast on newborns across the plains.
- Upscale lodges drop rates; far quieter than July–September peak.
- Short rains
- Max temp 79°F
- Afternoon showers
- Calving season, newborn herbivores
- Peak predator action
- Good month
DECEMBER
- Short rains taper after mid-month; crisp cool air and bright volcano views.
- Late zebra calving keeps cheetah and lion cubs busy on the plains.
- Wetlands at Nakuru and Naivasha brim with hippos, flamingos and birds.
- Christmas and New Year crowds surge — book nine to twelve months ahead.
- Short rains taper
- Max temp 82°F
- Scattered
- Late zebra calving, great cat sightings
- Festive game drives, Kili views
- Good month
