The seasons at a glance
| Period | Season | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| January - February | Dry (short) | Animals easy to see, hot, fewer people than in summer |
| March - May | Long rains | Low prices, some tracks difficult, very green parks |
| June | Dry | High season begins, the migration approaches |
| July - October | Dry | Migration in the Masai Mara, high season and top prices |
| November - December | Short rains | Brief showers, green landscapes, expensive year-end holidays |
The start and end dates of the rains vary from year to year.
The great migration: July to October
The wildebeest arrive from the Serengeti in the Masai Mara from July; river crossings are most likely in August and September, before the return to Tanzania in October-November. These are estimates: no day is guaranteed. See the great wildebeest migration and the Masai Mara reserve.
To see animals easily
The dry season (January-February and June to October) concentrates animals near water points and the grass is shorter. The long rains from March to May make viewing harder but lodge prices drop.
Prices follow the season
Mara entry fees are quoted higher from July to December (US$200 a day for a non-resident adult, against US$100 from January to June, according to 2026 sources to be confirmed). Lodges and safaris follow the same curve. See travel budget in Kenya and a 3-day safari in Kenya.
Depending on what you are after
- The migration: August-September; book months ahead.
- Lower prices: April-May (long rains), or November.
- Elephants and Kilimanjaro: dry seasons, early in the morning (Masai Mara or Amboseli).
- The beach: the coast is hot all year, with heavy rains in April-May.
Weather
Altitude makes nights and mornings cool in the inland parks; bring a jacket for dawn drives. On the coast, heat and humidity dominate.
Going further
See also Nairobi airport and a safari to the Masai Mara from Nairobi.
