Understanding Kenya’s climate
The best time to visit Kenya depends on what you want to do. Kenya is divided by the equator and is characterized by a tropical climate.
The weather in Kenya is often ideal, although the coast can be very humid and there are hot, desert-like conditions around Lake Magadi and in the northern areas of the country around Lake Turkana. Most regions in Kenya have temperatures between 71-91°F a day, and they rarely drop below 55°F at night. Even during the short rains, the humidity during the day is mostly low and the sky is clear enough to see the Milky Way at night.
During the coolest months of June, July and August, temperatures in Nairobi are around 60°F, which can drop to about 50°F in the Aberdare region and the Mount Kenya massif.
Best Time To Visit Kenya By Month
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- Head to the northern coast of Kenya and discover a colorful underwater world where you can go snorkeling or soak up the sun on one of the palm-lined beaches
- With a little luck you can see the Big Five among the endless bush landscapes of Tsavo East National Park
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- Witness giant elephant herds following ancient hiking trails in the rocky landscape of Samburu and spot the rare Grévy’s zebra on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River
- Travel to Laikipia in central Kenya for exclusive nature and wildlife experiences
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- Explore Chale island just off Kenya’s southeastern coast and discover an idyllic retreat dotted with inland tidal lakes, pristine beaches and vibrant coral reefs.
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- Head to Kisumu on Lake Victoria – the principal city of western Kenya has a relaxed ambiance and is a haven for fresh fish enthusiasts, given its many fish markets!
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- Plan a visit to the Karen Blixen Museum in the bustling capital city, Nairobi, to learn about the changing history of Kenya
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- Head to the Amboseli National Park, at the foot of the imposing Mount Kilimanjaro, and spend time in one of the best places to see African elephants
- Visit the most arid region in Kenya – Chalbi Desert – and marvel at its stunning natural landscape replete with volcanoes and ancient lava flows and towering sand dunes
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- Witness the Great Migration in the Masai Mara National Reserve, where millions of antelopes, zebras and wildebeest cross the savanna landscape from July to October
- If you want a break from the wildlife, the pristine paradise at Kiwayu Island with its virgin beaches, crystal clear waters, dolphins and whales and a host of water sports awaits!
- Head to Meru National Park, made famous by the movie ‘Born Free’, home to stunning natural beauty as well as a diverse range of animals
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- Head to Lake Elementaita, a small soda ash lake as the dry season is the ideal time to catch a glimpse of its diverse wildlife
- Make the painstaking journey to remote Lake Turkana and be rewarded with views of the world’s largest desert lake and its fearsome Nile crocodiles!
- For something different, travel to Kericho, Kenya’s tea territory!
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- Witness the flamingos at Lake Nakuru – over one million of these graceful birds can be found fishing in the lake for their feast of delicious algae!
- If you are yearning the great outdoors then we recommend a hike in the foothills of Mount Kenya
- Enjoy the diverse birdlife at Lake Naivasha and game viewing at Hells Gate National Park, to the south of the lake
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- Before the rains arrive, discover Kakamega Forest National Reserve, the only tropical rainforest in Kenya, home to some of Africa’s best-known tree species and exquisite orchids
- Make the most of the dry conditions by enjoying the abundant wildlife at The Aberdares
- If you are keen on birdwatching, this is right time to make a trip to the saline Lake Bogoria with its two million migratory birds!
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- While the Great Migration is over, the increasing greenery heralds the arrival of newborns in the Mara, giving you unique wildlife viewing and photographic opportunities
- Spend time in the city of Mombasa, with its beautiful beaches and touches of Arabic and Portuguese architecture. Witness the vibrant Mombasa Carnival held during this month!
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- Visit the dramatic collection of ancient volcanic cinder cones of Chyulu Hills and spot large herds of elands, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, lions, buffaloes and elephants
- Enjoy a rich cultural experience by visiting the old town of Lamu, a UNESCO World Heritage site, an almost car-free town with diverse architectural influences
Best time to visit Kenya by season
- Hot months: January to March
- Long rains: April to June
- Cold months: June to August
- Short rains: November to December. It is rarely raining all day. Short, heavy rainfalls are usually replaced by sunny periods, which makes this time in Kenya very pleasant.

What to Pack
Safari wear should be comfortable and casual. Evenings and early mornings can be chilly so warm sweaters are recommended. Low heeled comfortable sports or trekking shoes are the most suitable walking shoes, should you intend joining any walking safaris.
We recommend you bring warm clothes, including a fleece or light wool sweater and socks, apart from the normal safari gear. During the day it can get quite hot so don’t forget sunglasses and a high factor sunscreen, as well as a sun hat with a small brim.
Some specialist trips, i.e. mountain climbing, require extra items of clothing and footwear. Many hotels, lodges and camps have swimming pools so you are advised to bring swimsuits.
Due to limited space in the vehicle and light aircraft, we advise you to keep your luggage to the minimum. We suggest you pack your luggage into a small bag of no more than 15 kgs – the luggage limit for local flights issued by the airlines. Almost all safari lodges and camps provide same day laundry service.

Popular Trips to Kenya
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Kenya: Southern Circuit and Beach
Set out on a fabulous vacation through Kenya’s southern circuit, starting in Nairobi and exploring the wildlife-rich parks of Amboseli and Tsavo. Enjoy close-up views of elephants and Mount Kilimanjaro. Head out on exciting game drives in diverse landscapes. Discover remote lodges and have cultural encounters along the way. End the trip unwinding on the…
View More -
Highlights of Kenya
Discover Kenya’s rich wildlife and culture on a personalized tour that takes you from the plains of Amboseli to the iconic Maasai Mara. Enjoy thrilling game drives, meet local communities, and take in breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro. This luxury safari can be tailored to match your interests and travel pace.
View More -
Kenya and Egypt: Big Five Safari and Human History
Embark on a customized journey through Kenya and Egypt, that allows you to experience ancient civilizations and have thrilling wildlife encounters. Head to Kenya’s iconic national parks for unforgettable safari adventures and to spot the Big Five. After, explore the pyramids of Giza, visit the museums in Cairo and sail the Nile. This immersive tour…
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Best Places To Visit
Aberdares
Amboseli National Park
Baringo & Bogoria
Chalbi Desert
Chale Island
Chyulu Hills
Kakamega Forest
Kenyan Coast
Kericho and Nandi Hills
Kerio Valley
Kisumu
Kiwayu
Laikipia – Borana
Laikipia – Community Reserves
Laikipia – Lewa / Borana Conservancies
Laikipia – Ol Pejeta/Solio
Laikipia – Sabuk
Laikipia – Walking Safari
Lake Elementaita
Lake Naivasha
Lake Nakuru & Lake Elementaita
Lake Turkana
Lake Victoria
Lamu
Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary
Masai Mara
Masai Mara Conservancy
Masai Mara Walking Safari
Meru National Park
Mombasa
Mt Kenya
Nairobi
North Coast
Saiwa Swamp
Samburu
Sera Conservancy
Shaba
Suguta Valley & Mt Nyiro
Tsavo East
From the Blog
What Our Guests Say
“We just returned from an outstanding 3-week trip to East Africa. Our travel consultant did an outstanding job of putting together this trip for a friend and me. Everything went as smooth as glass. We saw an extraordinary number of animals and the accommodations were even better than pictured. Our personal guides were enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and kind, even assisting with all our check-ins. Every transport worked seamlessly. It was a great experience, we highly recommend Enchanting Travels!”
September 2025 Rating 5/5
“We made a family trip to Africa (Tanzania and Kenia) to celebrate my 50th Birthday. From day 1, Alison was great in understanding us and providing some great recommendations. She and Bovin (our local contact) made this trip a dream come true. They were always attentive, gave recommendations and heard all of our desires. When we had a question, they would have a quick answer. Thank you both for making this an amazing and unforgettable trip.”
May 2025 Rating 5/5
“From the advice we got from Peter when we booked our trip to the excellent execution of the details that Cyprian did, there was not a hitch. We were met by professionals who ushered us through customs and checked us into our flights. The itinerary was packed with memorable experiences of seeing animals, getting to know the people at the tent camps who were more attentive than we could have imagined. The tents were exceptionally clean, beds comfortable, the food outstanding and our overall experience was beyond our expectations. We could not have imagined going on this trip without Enchanting Travels and consider ourselves fortunate that we chose you.”
February 2025 Rating 5/5
“The trip was planned perfectly from beginning to the end. We were notified of any changes to the schedule based on delayed flights etc. It is a real advantage to have Enchanting Travels make the arrangements that allowed us to speed through customs and visa checks. Our drivers were always there waiting for our arrival so no time wasted waiting. Just the ease of the logistics that comes with traveling with Enchanting Travels keeps up going back to them when we are planning a trip. The experiences were beyond words. Our game drive guides were exceptional in getting us to where the animals were so we could enjoy seeing cheetah cubs at play while mom watched, lion cubs playing while a group of lioness’s napped in the sun and two male lions did the same. The most incredible sight was watching a group of 6 lioness’s separate a female buffalo and her calf and going on to taking them both down. It was like watching a Nat Geo film but we were there within 30 yards to watch. Our accommodations were top notch, staff everywhere we were were exceptional, and the settings were all different but wonderful. Our trip coordinator was in constant contact just to check in and see if there was anything we needed her to do. The Trip Agent App, our first time using it, was a very nice feature and was so much easier to use rather than pulling out a hard copy of the trip to find the answer to our questions. I wasn’t sure if I would use it or not but became dependent on it. Traveling doesn’t get any better if you travel with Enchanting Travels. We will be back!”
February 2025 Rating 5/5
“Enchanting exceeded our expectations by a wide margin. They built the itinerary that was perfect for us and were with us throughout the entire trip checking in on us and handling any issues that could possibly arise (like a delayed flight that had a trickle effect). The staff were all over and above attentive and caring. The app they have you use is surprisingly excellent and helpful. Can’t say enough about this travel company. It’s the way to go.”
January 2025 Rating 5/5
“I have been fortunate enough to have traveled all over the world. I was able to live in two European countries and all over the United States of America. This is the first time that I have ever traveled with Enchanting Travels. From the very start their representatives were focused on understanding exactly what I wanted out of my trip. Once it was understood, I was given multiple options to look at and choose from to further narrow down, my exact needs. After all the choices were made, and the trip was paid for, everything, and I mean everything was taken care of. A knowledgeable representative met me at every plane, hotel, or vehicle, to make sure I was taken to the proper place and treated like a king. The flights, accommodations and ground travel vehicles were all clean, comfortable, and more than I could ask for. I had no worries throughout my trip. All I had to do was sit back and enjoy! It was a trip of a lifetime! They planned and executed everything perfectly. There was not a single hitch! I will, without a doubt use them again! If you would like to travel and leave the detailing to someone else, I highly recommend this group. A job well done.”
August 2024 Rating 5/5
