Best time to go for a Kenya safari
Best time to go for a Kenya safari: When is the best time to go for a Kenya safari? Is a very tricky question asked by most tourists who wish to visit Kenya on a safari holiday, Kenya is one of the best safari destinations on the African continent offering excellent game viewing safari experience. Kenya is composed of many safari destinations including beaches with sparking sands and blue waters on the Indian Kenya coast, national parks and reserves such as Maasai Mara national reserve, Amboseli national park, Tsavo East national park, Tsavo West national park among others.
The best time to visit Kenya depends of the interests of a tourist (what you want to see and where to see it), to a larger extent the best time to visit Kenya for a Kenya safari is determined by the period of year (season). Kenya experiences dry season and wet season.
Dry season
Dry season in Kenya is experienced from June to October, these months are the coldest months in Kenya with early morning, day in this season are usually around 23°C/73°F in areas at higher altitudes such as the Masai Mara national reserve and 28°C/82°F in areas at lower altitudes such as the coastal areas.
Wet season
Wet season in Kenya is experienced from November to May with day time temperatures between 24°C/75°F and 27°C/81°F in areas at higher altitudes and 30°C/86°F in areas at lower altitudes, daytime temperatures in this period are generally more consistent. In this period, morning is cool at higher altitudes and it is advisable to pack warm clothes.
The best time to go for a Kenya safari is more explained as below.
January to March
January to March is the beginning period of the year, this period is a short dry season in Kenya characterized of beautiful sunny days and heavy rains start at the end of March. This period is a birthing season in the Samburu national reserve and is a perfect time to for a Kenya safari to watch newly born animals, the birth of newly born animals attracts plenty of predators such as lions, leopards, African dogs trying to hunt for prey.
January is generally an excellent time of the year to visit Kenya for a Kenya safari and it is the best time for game viewing experience in numerous Kenya wildlife safari destinations (national parks and reserves) including Maasai Mara national reserve, Samburu national reserve, Lake Nakuru national park, Amboseli national park, Tsavo West and Tsavo East national park among others.
For beach and sun lovers, this period is characterized of shinning sun and warm waters perfect for diving and beach holiday.
April and May
April and May is a wet season in Kenya with heavy rains, the downpours are for a couple of hours and they are usually short. This period of the year is characterized of brilliant light and fresh colors of green vegetation and sprouting flowers, April and May is a low season in Kenya making it the cheapest time of the year to visit Kenya due to low rates for accommodation, due to inaccessibility due to muddy routes some camps close down.
Though game viewing is not at its best in this period, it is rated good. April to May is a good time for bird watching.
June to October
Similar to most of the sub- Saharan countries, June to October is the main dry season which is one of the best and rewarding times to visit Kenya for a safari, in this period rain is really unusual but you never know. In this period, the days are clear and sunny and for some people including Kenyans this period is sometimes referred to as “cold winter”. Cold winter in Kenya features conducive temperatures ideal for Kenya game viewing safaris in Kenya wildlife destinations “national parks and reserves” and perfect for a beach vacation on the coast of Kenya which is slightly warmer.
June to October is the same time when European schools close for holidays meaning a number of tourists come to Kenya for a safari, the great wildebeest migration happens in this period that is July to October. The great wildebeest migration is one of the world’s natural wonders and the largest migration ever sighted in the world, over 1.5 million wildebeests accompanied by thousands of Thomson and Grant’s gazelles and zebras migrate from Serengeti national park in Tanzania to Maasai Mara national reserve in search for water and green pastures.
In the period, the spectacular Mara river crossing happens. Mara river crossing the highlight of the great wildebeest migration and the deadliest stage of the migration, as the migrating herds plug in to the waters of Mara river they faceoff with the crocodiles with open jaw and predators such as lions, leopards and cheetahs waiting the banks of the river. The famous Mara river crossing depends on the previous year’s rain.
June to October is one of the busiest times of the year in Kenya as many tourists visit Kenya’s Maasai Mara national reserve to watch the great wildebeest migration, most of the Kenya wildlife safari destinations most especially Maasai Mara national reserve are crowded and if you are not comfortable with crowded areas the best periods to visit in this period is Laikipia area, Meru national park and Samburu national reserve.
November to December
The period of November to December in Kenya is characterized of short rains which are probably unpredictable, short rains in this period are short and sharp which doesn’t affect Kenya game viewing safaris. Because the short rains, it is better to carry waterproof jackets, closed strong shoes, umbrella and warm clothing in case of the rain.
In November and December, Kenya is filled with green grass sprouting covering the landscape, dramatic sunset and animals can easily be seen. By Mid-December the rains have stopped and the skies are blue and clear as a great way of ushering Christmas, this period is the busiest time of Kenya due to Christmas and New-year celebrations. As the rain seizes, there is a lot of sunshine in Kenya and it’s a popular winter break in Europe, because of the large numbers of travelling to Kenya for a safari early booking is essential most especially accommodation.
November and December is a best time to go for a Kenya safari for game viewing in Kenya wildlife destinations such as Maasai Mara national reserve, Lake Nakuru national park, Samburu national reserve, Chyulu hills national reserve. Visit the coast and the beach for a beach vacation.
