Kenya

The Best Time To Visit Kenya

Sitting on the Equator, Kenya offers good conditions and comfortable year-round temperatures across the country, its definitely hard to define a ‘best time to visit Kenya’.

However there are particular months and areas that go hand in hand, offering exceptional safari, adventures and game viewing experiences

Best Time To Visit The Masai Mara

The beauty of the Masai Mara, is that it is renowned as a year-round destination! The Mara and the Talek River provide a permanent water supply, securing an abundance of resident wildlife, including herds of elephant, prides of lion, dazzles of zebra and many more. The plains of the Mara sit on an altitude of around 2000m, making it generally milder (and damper) than similar regions, but temperatures average at a comfortable 27°C throughout the year and the African sun will never let you down!

January to March are often the hottest and driest months, offering unique game viewing experiences especially as there are many new-born animals on the plains. Some of the lodges offer special offers and low season rates especially February and March and it can be a great time to travel and grab a great deal!

The wettest months are April and May, as the the long rains and the south east monsoon winds arrive.

We generally recommend avoiding safaris during this period, especially as the roads can get very muddy and nearly impassable at times.However, all the main parks have well designed tracks for game drives. We also operate 4 X 4 safari mini vans and 4 X 4 safari jeeps all fitted with mud terrain tyres.

Several camps often close their doors during this window, taking advantage of low tourist numbers to work on renovation of the camp and let the grass it sits on rejuvenate. However, there is no denying this season can create some dramatic landscapes and the bird life and flora are particular good. If you want a quite and almost private game viewing in the parks and reserves, this is the best time to travel

July to October are considered by most to be the best time of year to visit the Masai Mara. This is the most exciting time of the year to visit as the herds of the Great Migration arrive in July and graze the plains of the Mara until October time. With wildebeest and zebra in their thousands, and other species of animals that often tag along, speckled across the reserve, predators such as the cats are ready awaiting their next meal. On the other hand, one of the downsides to this season is the high visitor numbers. The Masai Mara is one Africa’s most concentrated parks in terms of game and size, so vehicles shamelessly often crowd around the game.

However, Maasai mara is surrounded by private conservancies which have lots of wildlife.

Many of the private conservancies have luxury and high-end properties and game drives are done using the lodge’s open safari jeeps. Night game drives and nature walks are allowed in private conservancies

November to December are hidden gems in the Masai Mara. The short rains, brought in from the north, arrive in November, which often entails of short-lived downpours in the late afternoon. These showers have lots of benefits though, as they wash away the dust in the air, cool down the animals, fill up the rivers and trigger the growth of the lush vegetation. The short rains also attract hundreds of migratory birds, perfect for photographers and bird lovers.

Best Time To Visit The Northern Frontier And Central Kenya

The arid and semi-desert landscape of Samburu National Reserve and nearby parks of Shaba, buffalo springs and and Meru, offer incredible wildlife variations but can often be too hot for many in particular seasons.

Its only in the Northern tour circuit that you can find the famous special five which includes Reticulated giraffe, Gerenuk, Somali ostrich, grevy zebra and Somali ostrich

January and February is followed by the typical long rains from the end of March through to May, sometimes pushing into early June. Rainfall can be unreliable, sometimes showering every day persistently, and other times only raining in the afternoon or early evening. No matter what the pattern, it will however impact your safari activities. Although the park sees new life in every area during these months, the roads are often extremely challenging and visitors are at a low, and for the right reasons.

The long and dry season between July and October is definitely the best time to head to this area, as guests can enjoy sunny, blue skies with almost no rain. During these months, water is limited due to the absence of rainfall, so the animals tend to congregate along the Ewaso Nyiro River which is perfect for game viewing.

November and December sees the short rains. Visitor numbers inside the park tend to be lower, which we think, is a blessing! Before the rains arrive however, temperatures can be pretty high as the humidity builds up, ready for a heavy downpour. For bird lovers, October to April the best time to visit, as resident avifauna are joined by a range of migratory species.

Best Time To Visit The Laikipia Plateau

Laikipia Plateau experiences two dry and two rainy seasons. Temperatures vary, but with daytime highs of 22°C in the cooler seasons and 32°C in the hotter months, conditions are comfortable for year-round visits. Generally, early mornings and evenings are cool, so we would advise packing a fleece or a jumper… although most of the lodges will have extra blankets, a piping hot chocolate and a roaring fire to make you all that more comfortable!

January to March is the hottest and driest season in the year. During these months, water sources can be quite limited, especially in remote locations like many of the lodges. As a result, wildlife usually gathers around the last remaining waterholes or sources, which can be a blessing for game viewing!

May and April bring the arrival of the long rains. During these months, water sources and wetlands disperse along the plateau and as a result, bring out an abundance of animals. However, because of these heavy rains, many of the safari activities that are usually offered across Laikpia Plateau (bush walks, horse and camel rides, hiking etc.) are not available and as a result, the majority of the lodges are closed.

The long and dry season occurs from July to October, and as a result, is the most popular time of the year to travel. During these months, temperatures are pleasant in the day but nights are a little on the cool side, especially as most of the lodges sit at the top of the plateau. This is nothing to be worried about though, as the majority of lodges have roaring fireplaces, blankets for night drives and even leave a hot water bottle in your bed to warm it up when you tuck in at night!

The months of November and December bring in the second rainy season, which is characterised by short and heavy showers, usually in the afternoon. These months are particularly great for bird lovers, as a range of migratory species arrive at Laikipia from as far as Europe and Russia. Although the rains make the plateau lusher, be aware that some of the roads become muddy. This may hinder the safari activities, as pathways for walking safaris may become too slippery, or camel and horseback safaris may be unavailable, subject to weather conditions.

Best Time To Visit Southern Beaches

Generally, the weather in Mombasa is similar to the rest of Kenya, although the city itself tends to be more humid. January to March is the hottest and driest season, with the strong African sun shining all day long and creating daily temperatures around 32°C. Although humidity levels can be quite high, visitors from cooler countries will not complain with some winter sun!

Similarly, among East Africa, April and May, bring the long rains, although this can sometimes push into early June depending on what the weather pattern does each year. During these months, you can expect heavy rains in the afternoon and although it does not rain every day, it will happen more often than not! Days are a gamble… some days with bright sunshine lighting the sky, and others completely overcast and grey!

June/July to October are the best months to visit the southern beaches of Kenya. These months bring warm temperatures, hours of sunshine throughout the day, and a much-appreciated sea breeze… perfect conditions for a day on the beach or relaxing by the pool! Humpback whales migrate through the area during this season (from the end of June to December) and for any keen fishermen, this is the perfect time to head out on sea and catch enormous yellowfin tuna.

November and December bring the short rains which, like much of East Africa, arrive in short downpours in most afternoons. This season (the end of October to March) is the best time for marine life on the Kenya coast. These months, especially around the Festive period, are some of the busiest and most popular, so make sure you plan way in advance if you want to get your favourite property!

Disclaimers:

— All game drives and activities are subject to weather conditions and park regulations.

— Optional activities such as guided walks, spa treatments, extras not mentioned etc. may incur additional costs. Ensure to carry enough cash for any additional activities. For the best safari experience, comfortable clothing, sun protection, and a good camera are recommended.

— Rooms are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until a reservation is made and confirmed, particularly during the peak season. If your chosen accommodation is fully booked at the time of confirmation, we will arrange an alternative option for you, which may result in a variation in cost.

Where To Go

Maasai Mara

Spanning approximately 3,000 sq kms, the Masai Mara National Reserve and Greater Mara Concession Areas form the northern section of one of the most astounding animal migrations on the planet. While the region has become busier and busier over the last decade or so, a visit to this stunning area is still well worthwhile. Often seen as in its prime when the Migratory herds arrive, from July to November, a visit out of season can be just as rewarding, and the reason the BBC have based themselves here for the last decade or so.

The Masai Mara Reserve

The Masai Mara National Reserve is amongst the most famous of all of the 17 parks and reserves dedicated to wildlife in Kenya. At approximately 1,800 sq kilometres, it is not a vast tract of land but, due to the abundance of water year round, it is a haven to wildlife from all around and the home to the Great Migration that visits from late July to November. As a series of small catchment areas, the Masai Mara Reserve and conservation area (the Greater Mara), are fortunate to have their own eco-system and therefore have not been so affected by the droughts that have plagued East Africa over the years. One of the main factors in this, is also the flow of the Mara River up from Lake Victoria which cuts north from the border, providing a lifeline to the park. The reserve consists, primarily, of open grassland, with clusters of the distinctive acacia tree in the south-east region, and the Oloololo Escarpment that rises up along the western border, creating a funnel for the game as it arrives. This area to the west is the area where the wildlife tends to be most concentrated and, as the swampy ground means that access to water is always good, the tendency is for fly in safari staying in the smaller, more intimate camps and lodges. The easternmost border, approximately 224 kilometres from Nairobi, is far more accessible and so tends to suffer from the larger groups and mini-van trips and so will tend not to be on the agenda for those wishing a more private itinerary.

The Greater Masai Mara

Unlike the Mara National Reserve, the region that surrounds the reserve is owned by the local, Maasai communities and is, therefore, controlled and managed by them. Traditionally the nilotic, pastoralist people of the Masai have long worked these areas of land, but, as they have become aware of the potential revenues from tourism, they have slowly realised that the land would be better served for wildlife. With this in mind, what the Greater Mara offers that is different to the Mara Reserve is far more freedom. The range of activities out in these private concessions ranges from walking with a Masai guide to night drives and fly camping out in the bush. While the migratory herds move into these areas slightly later in the year (more September than August), they do provide a very similar level of game viewing, as well as a much wider overall experience. If you would like the flexibility, then a stay out in the Greater Mara may be ideal!

Highlights

Great migration & river crossings

This seasonal spectacular – millions of animals on the move – is dubbed The Greatest Show on Earth

Big Five

Lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalos are among the most sought-after species on game drives

Hot-air balloon flight

Rise over the plains in the still morning air and survey the wildlife from above

Maasai Village Tour

Visit a traditional village with a local Maasai guide to learn more about this colorful culture

Bird Watching

Well over 500 species of birds have been recorded in the area – paradise for bird enthusiasts

Night game drive

A glimpse into the nocturnal lives of wild animals can be had when staying at private camps in the area

Nature Walks

Get even closer to nature – and learn so much more – in the company of an experienced guide as you walk amongst the wildlife.

Picnic

Your guide will choose a scenic location where a lavish picnic can be enjoyed out in the African savannah.

Game Drives

Choose between full and half-day excursions in search of African wildlife, led by experienced local guides

Cultural Encounters

Learn more about the cultural heritage and history of the local people on a guided tour of villages, community projects and festivals.

Amboseli National Park

Probably the most photographed park in East Africa, Amboseli National Park lies on the border between Kenya and Tanzania, in the lee of the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. Comparatively quite small for a National Park, at 392sq km, it is also the second most visited of them all. This is to its benefit and to its detriment to be honest. The park was made famous in the early 70s by the elephant research of Cynthia Moss and Iain Douglas-Hamilton and has since become a must see for elephant fans due to the large numbers of elephant that congregate here.

Meaning “salty dust” in Maasai, the park generally lives up to its name but provides the perfect habitat for a wide variety of birds and also boasts cheetah, lion, hippo, oryx, gerenuk and elephant shrew amongst the numerous Umbrella thorn. While it can be busy in the high season, there are quite a few lodges that are based either on the periphery of the park or just outside it, in private concessions. These lodges are perfect for a few nights to have a look around, and with direct flights to the Mara, it is a great way to combine other parks.

Samburu Game Reserve

Samburu National Reserve is certainly in amongst the more well-known of Kenya’s parks and accordingly has become relatively busy over the years. The main areas for game viewing are along the banks of the Ewaso Ngiro that runs east to west through the park. A great location as the surface waters dry off during the dry season, the game viewing is pretty much guaranteed!

Samburu National Reserve is made up of scrubby, open bush land and savanna, with the fringing riverine forest of acacias and large doum palms extending along the edge of the Ewaso Ngiro. This river is the heart of the park, as it not only makes it a beautiful and very photogenic park (contrasting against the bright and dry red soil), but also attracts a diversity of wildlife all year round. A range of animals come down to the river to drink and cool off in, and with crocodiles and hippos hiding in the shallow sand banks, surprises always await! Samburu National Reserve also has a particularly high elephant populations, and big families of them too! This is because the park is a migratory corridor that herds use daily, moving between Laikipia, Samburu and Mount Kenya for food, mating and minerals. The Mount Kenya Trust have seen huge success in its number of elephants using both the human-made and natural areas of the migratory corridor, dramatically reducing human-elephant conflict.

Shaba

Shaba is a much smaller park than it neighbour, Samburu, but is also, to intents and purposes, yet to really be discovered. Featuring a range of topographies, open grassland, swamp, river gullies and Shaba Hill in the centre, Shaba attracts a wide range of game species. Particularly good for elephant, leopard and sightings of the rare striped hyena, it is certainly one of the undiscovered gems of Kenya. There are, currently, only a couple of lodges in the park, Joy’s Camp certainly being the best of them.

The Great Rift Valley Lakes

The Rift Valley Lakes, in particular Naivasha and Nakuru, are the series of lakes that sit in the valley that runs to the west of Nairobi, and stretches from Ethiopia to central Tanzania. The major feature, and reason to visit the lakes is for both their good game populations (white rhino is a particular feature of Nakuru), but also the famed numbers of lesser flamingo that flock to Nakuru to breed and feed.

Lake Naivasha and Nakuru

Located around a 2 hour drive from Nairobi, Naivasha and Nakuru can be simply added to an itinerary, either as a drive out day trip, or as part of a larger driving circuit around the country. The only drawback that we would point out for the lakes is that, due to this location, they are now pretty busy and so, if it is flamingo that you are after, it may be worth considering Lake Natron or Manyara in Tanzania for a longer stay.

Lake Victoria

Often considered as one of Kenya’s great lakes, Lake Victoria, is a vast body of water that borders Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. The second largest freshwater lake in the world, at approximately 70,000 km squared, it played a huge role in the western discovery of East Africa and the search for the Nile, but is, today, fairly insignificant. Simply gotten to from the Mara or Nairobi, the islands of Rusinga or Mfangano, are very good spots to relax, see local rock art or try to land the infamous Nile Perch.

Laikipia Plateau

The Laikipia Plateau in Kenya is characterised by a patchwork of interlocking ranches and rolling red plains. Featuring a wide variation of stunning lodges, all unique in their own way, the region offers good game viewing along side a whole host of family friendly activities. Often featured in itineraries as a compliment to a safari in the nearby Masai Mara, or as a destination in itself, Laikipia is well worth a look.

Following in the pioneering footsteps of the Craig/Douglas family, plenty of lodges in the Laikipia Plateau now offer a truly top end experience and have introduced many of the rarer African species onto their land such as African wild dog and rhino. Many have also tried to move away from being an out and out safari experience, focussing more on the family and activity market, offering a wealth of activities such as riding (camels and horses), ballooning, quad biking, tubing, hiking, fly camping, mountain biking, cultural visits and many more! Therefore, where the nearby Lewa Downs deserves its own title as a safari destination, Laikipia offers a slightly different experience. Stretching north from the Abadare Mountain Range to the start of the Samburu tribal lands in the shadow of the Mathews Range, the Laikipia Plateau can also offer a chance to glimpse this nomadic tribe in their native element. Along with Amboseli, Laikipia is a good value and logistically simple way of extending your time in the bush.

The Aberdares

The Aberdares is a small range of mountains running from Nairobi up to the foot of the Laikipia Plateau. With a variation of topographies, it is a visually interesting place to visit, if a little tricky on the lower slopes to spot game due to the density of the forest. Made famous by the Queen who went and stayed in “Treetops” a princess to return a queen, this region used to be one of the most popular in Kenya. To be honest, however, it is not somewhere that we recommend to clients any more as the accommodation and overall experience is nowhere near what it used to be.

Tsavo West & Tsavo East

Making up approximately 40% of Kenya’s protected land, Tsavo East and Tsavo West together span a vast area of wilderness that offers something for everyone. The area that they cover (and heading west into the Chyulu Hills) is a series of laval flows and chimneys flanked by the Yatta Plateau to the west.

Slightly larger and less accessed, Tsavo East is a marginally better choice than the western side, but both offer great scenery and, as the dense bush dries back in the winter months, very good game viewing and birding that is second only to Naivasha.

The only real drawback to the parks is that the main road that connects Mombasa with Nairobi cuts clean through the centre. This makes both parks far more accessible to day trippers out of Mombasa and those on their way through from Nairobi. On the whole, combined with reduced game numbers, there are other parks in Kenya that we prefer.

Lewa Downs

The Lewa Downs is a stunning valley set in the middle of the Laikipia Plateau, deserving of a special mention, as it features probably the second best game viewing in the country. Only offering a handful of lodge choices, has become famous for the wide variety of rare and beautiful game species it now protects.

Established in the early 80’s by the Craig/Douglas family as a black rhino sanctuary, the Conservancy has gone from strength to strength, adding new species over the years to include the near extinct Grevy’s zebra, the Sitatunga antelope, cheetah, lion, elephant and Reticulated giraffe. As it is private land, and not a national park, the added benefit is that it is possible to walk, night drive, horse and camel ride. It also Similar to the Laikipia Plateau, Lewa offers a great alternative or compliment to a safari in the Mara. Very simple to get to with flights up from Nairobi or the Mara, we would probably recommend the area to those looking for a little extra safari time as it has great game, but not quite as many activity options as the nearby Laikipia lodges.

Mount Kenya

The second highest mountain in Africa has been somewhat overshadowed by its Tanzanian counterpart these days. Once considered alongside Kilimanjaro as one of the peaks to climb in Africa, due to the fact that it is a technical climb rather than a hike, it has really fallen out of favour. It is still possible to hike up the lower slopes, but to get up to the actual summit is a much harder prospect. With this in mind, similar to the Aberdares, it is not necessarily somewhere that we overly recommend visiting due to the lack of guiding and operation being up to standard.

Nairobi

To many people’s surprise, beyond Kenya’s sprawling, traffic-blocked capital, is a hustling capital with an array of things to do and see. Admittedly, Nairobi is mostly used as an unavoidable stopover on many itineraries, but this isn’t to say you should rush out as soon as you can! Many beautiful boutique hotels and wildlife interactions, such as the Daphne Sheldrick elephant orphanage, have attracted a huge amount of visitors to the big city.

The two major cities in Kenya are generally held as being Nairobi and Mombasa. On the whole, as with most African cities, both tend to be passed through by travellers to the region… but, upon closer inspection, they can be a rewarding place to spend a couple of nights. Nairobi is a good destination to use as a base for trips out to the Rift Valley to see Nakuru and Naivasha, or to start or finish a safari in Kenya’s national parks. On top of this, there are quite a few interesting things to have a look at while in the city. Approximately 30 minutes to the west of Nairobi centre, is the suburb of Karen. This is one of the best places to be based and a few of the highlights to see while in the area are watching the elephant orphans being fed at Daphne Sheldrick’s Centre, feeding the giraffe at Giraffe Manor or the Giraffe centre, or simply relaxing in one of the private gardens with a view of the Ngong Hills in the distance.

Lamu

Located in northern Kenya, Lamu Island is a hub of history. Like Zanzibar in Tanzania, Lamu Island is often considered alongside Kenya as an entity in itself. As one of the early colonising sites for the sultanate of Oman in the 13th century (before he continued down to Zanzibar and finally settled the colony there), Lamu is steeped in ancient tradition and architecture and offers a very different experience to that of the mainland.

A short hop from Nairobi, the island of Lamu and the capital, Lamu Town, have managed to hold onto their old world charm to a certain degree. Consisting of a series of muddled alleyways and white washed buildings, the central focus for the town is still the town hall (where the market is still held for the surrounding areas on a Saturday) and there remain no cars on the island….only a thriving population of donkeys!

With a stunningly rugged coastline, the rest of the island provides a welcome retreat from the madness of the main town and, with the smaller Shela village just along the shoreline from Lamu being a great pick if you would like to have a look but maybe not get too involved. The island is certainly the perfect pick for a bit of culture and a great beach.

NB. As of 2017 the British Foreign Office has advised that Lamu is again a safe destination to travel to and, with this change, we very much hope there will be a change in the fortunes of the island. We are, therefore, very happy to recommend and offer properties on this stunning island so please ask your consultant about where we would recommend for a few days.

Kenya Beach

The South Coast of Kenya offers a wide range of different options for the discerning beach-goer. From the wide, white sand beaches of Watamu and Diani, to the hidden coves of Funzi Keys and the secluded luxury of Msambweni and Kinondo Kwetu, there is something for everyone’s palate.

The main two areas that have become known along the coast are the regions to the north and to the south of Mombasa. Mombasa itself, while still offering plenty of beach options, has, in our view, become so over run these days by the larger, package companies, that it is not somewhere that we tend to recommend. With a little research and perseverance, there are plenty of smaller, family run operations that are well worth a look, in particular the lodges to the south of the city and on through to Diani on the Tanzanian border.

North of Mombasa

The main beach to consider to the north of Mombasa is called Watamu and is the home to the infamous Hemingway’s Hotel, made famous by the fishing exploits of its famous namesake. The beach and the hotel are still firm favourites both with tourists and locals, mainly for its stunning, 4 mile beach, and the annual run of large sailfish that pass just offshore. Year round, the hotels in the area and humming with activity and so it is definitely in with a strong mention for those looking for a few of the larger hotels that the coast has to offer.

South of Mombasa

South of Mombasa run a series of small, privately owned and managed lodges, set on quiet coves, away from the general melee of the more well known beaches. A few of the less known, but truly fantastic lodges along this coast, between Mombasa and Diani, are Msambweni House and Kinondo Kwetu… both being ideal for either families or honeymooners. Other than these, Diani beach is in a similar vein to that of Watamu… an absolutely stunning, white beach running along the coast for as far as the eye can see with perfect blue waters. Again, this areas is also a good place to base yourself if you are a keen fisherman and, with restaurants such as the Forty Thieves nearby, Diani is a really good option for those looking for a little more than just a beach.