When is the best time to visit Kenya?

The best time to visit depends on where you go. Amboseli National Park: October & January; Diani Beach: January & February; Kisumu: February & January; Lake Nakuru National Park: February & June; Lamu: January & February; Masai Mara: August & July.

Which month is best overall in Kenya?

Averaged across our 10 destinations in Kenya, the strongest months are February, January, August. Individual places can shift a month or two earlier or later — each destination page lists its own peak.

How are the Kenya travel scores calculated?

Every city is rated 0-10 per month using ERA5 climate normals - temperature, precipitation, humidity, daylight, and days with 6+ hours of sunshine.

Best Time to Visit Kenya: Weather by Month

01 · Kenya

About Kenya

Kenya runs from the Indian Ocean coast up through dry savannah and the Great Rift Valley to Mount Kenya and the highlands. The Maasai Mara hosts the great wildebeest migration, Amboseli sits beneath Kilimanjaro, and Diani and Lamu offer a slower coast. Wildlife viewing is strongest in the dry seasons from January to February and June to October; the long rains fall from March to May, and the coast stays warm most of the year.

Did you know?

The Maasai Mara hosts the Great Migration, when more than a million wildebeest cross the Mara river from the Serengeti.
The Great Rift Valley cuts through Kenya, and its soda lakes at Nakuru and Bogoria draw vast flocks of flamingos.
Mount Kenya, an extinct volcano at 5,199 metres, is the country's highest peak and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Weather

Kenya: weather by month

Warmest month: March (24°C). Wettest: April (252 mm). Best overall score: February (8.7/10).

Month	Avg temp	Rain	Sunny days	Score
January	22°C	64 mm	29	8.6/10
February	23°C	51 mm	28	8.7/10
March	24°C	95 mm	31	7.6/10
April	23°C	252 mm	24	6.1/10
May	22°C	200 mm	25	6.7/10
June	21°C	88 mm	22	8.1/10
July	20°C	81 mm	20	8.1/10
August	21°C	78 mm	24	8.4/10
September	22°C	114 mm	28	7.8/10
October	22°C	74 mm	30	8.4/10
November	22°C	240 mm	24	6.4/10
December	22°C	100 mm	28	7.7/10

Travel Tips

01Best time & timing: February leads the year at 8.7/10, with January and August close behind — April (6.1/10) is the one to avoid without a specific reason.
02Weather & what to pack: In February plan for about 23°C; the month brings 51 mm of rain. Pack light clothing, a hat and real sun protection.
03Crowds & value: Crowds build in August and rates follow; October usually pairs good conditions (8.4/10) with the lowest prices of the strong months.

Things to do in Kenya

Kenya. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.

FAQ

Frequently asked

When is the best time to visit Kenya?: The best time to visit depends on where you go. Amboseli National Park: October & January; Diani Beach: January & February; Kisumu: February & January; Lake Nakuru National Park: February & June; Lamu: January & February; Masai Mara: August & July.
Which month is best overall in Kenya?: Averaged across our 10 destinations in Kenya, the strongest months are February, January, August. Individual places can shift a month or two earlier or later — each destination page lists its own peak.
Which cities in Kenya does bestime.to cover?: We currently score 10 destinations in Kenya: Amboseli National Park, Diani Beach, Kisumu, Lake Nakuru National Park, Lamu, Masai Mara, Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru, Watamu.
How are the Kenya travel scores calculated?: Every city is rated 0-10 per month using ERA5 climate normals - temperature, precipitation, humidity, daylight, and days with 6+ hours of sunshine.

Climate data: Open-Meteo ERA5 historical archive, the five most recent complete years (2021–2025). Scores are monthly averages for that window, not forecasts, and short-window precipitation can differ from longer-term normals. “Sunny days” count days with at least 6 hours of measured sunshine — they are not dry days.

Curated in Kenya