What's the best time of year for a Kenya safari?

Late June to October gives the strongest all-round viewing and brings the migration into the Maasai Mara. January–February are also excellent — warm, green, quieter, with newborns. April–May (long rains) is low season: greener, cheaper, some camps closed.

What wildlife will I see in Kenya?

All of the Big Five across its parks, plus cheetah on the Mara plains, flamingo flocks at Lake Nakuru, the great tusker elephants beneath Kilimanjaro at Amboseli, and rare northern species at Samburu. No sighting is guaranteed in the wild, but our guides know these reserves intimately.

Home · Destinations · Kenya

Kenya travel guide

Visas, what to pack, plugs, money and health — the practical details for a smooth safari.

Capital: Nairobi
Currency: Kenyan shilling (KES)
Languages: Swahili and English
Time zone: UTC+3 (no daylight saving)
Electricity: 240V, 50Hz
Plug type: Type G (UK 3-pin)
Dialling code: +254
Drives on: The left

Kenya is where the safari was born, and it remains one of the most rewarding places on earth to meet the wild. From the sweeping golden plains of the Maasai Mara to the snow-dusted shoulders of Mount Kenya and the flamingo-pink soda lakes of the Rift Valley, this is a country of astonishing variety packed into a single, welcoming journey. Most travellers fly into Nairobi, the green and energetic capital, before heading out to the parks where the real magic begins.

A first safari can feel like a big undertaking, but Kenya makes it easy. English is widely spoken, the people are famously warm, and the rhythm of the day, an early game drive, a late breakfast, an afternoon out among the herds, quickly becomes second nature. A little preparation goes a long way, so here is what you need to know before you go.

Kenya is one of the great safari countries, and it is a forgiving place to take a first one. Its parks and reserves are well established and well protected, with the range of habitat that comes from a country spanning desert, highland and coast. The Maasai Mara National Reserve is among the best places in Africa for the Big Five, and there is a great deal more to it besides. The coast is the natural second half of a Kenyan trip — white sand, warm water and a slower pace after the early starts of safari.

Best time to go at a glance

Dry — prime game viewing Shoulder Green season

Great Migration · Maasai Mara

Indicative pattern for Kenya's safari circuit. The long rains (around March–May) and short rains (around November) shift year to year.

Getting into Kenya

Kenya has moved to an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), which most visitors now apply for online before they travel; visa-on-arrival is no longer offered, so you should arrange your eTA in good time ahead of departure. If you plan to combine Kenya with neighbouring countries, the East Africa Tourist Visa covers Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda on a single multiple-entry document (note that it does not include Tanzania). Entry rules can change, so always confirm the current requirements for your nationality and route before booking flights, and use the visa tool on this page to check what applies to you.

Visa checks & applications are handled by VisaHQ. Always confirm the current entry rules for your nationality before you travel.

Getting around on safari

Once you land, safaris move between the parks by light aircraft, with short road transfers at either end. Small planes hop between grass airstrips on set routes, and your guide and vehicle meet you at the strip — the drive to camp is often the first game drive. Wildtouch stitches the flights, transfers and drive times into every itinerary.

Explore the fly-in safari map, airstrip by airstrip →

Weather & climate

Kenya sits on the equator, so it has a tropical climate moderated by altitude — the highlands and the Maasai Mara are far cooler than the coast. Kenya, therefore, doesn't have clear weather patterns like winters, summers, autumn, or spring. Kenya's climatic condition can only be defined by the dry season and wet season.

Dry Season- June – October

The dry season in Kenya is from the month of June to October. Temperatures range between 23 ° C/73°F at high altitudes such as Masai Mara and 28°C /82°F at low altitudes such as the Kenyan coast. Daytime has a clear sky and is sunny.

June, July, August, and September – are the coldest months of the season. Temperatures range from 10°C/ 50°F in high altitudes and we advise that you pack warm clothing because the morning game drives are cold especially when you are in the open land cruisers.

Wet Season – November – May

The wet season in Kenya has temperatures ranging from 24°C/75°F and 27°C/81°F at higher altitudes. Lower altitudes experience a temperature range of 30°C/86°F. We advise that you pack warm clothes for morning game drives.

November and December bring the short rains. They tend to fall in the late afternoon or evening rather than through the day, so morning game drives usually run as planned, but the timing shifts year to year and a wet afternoon is possible.

January & February- during these two months, we experience a rain shortage during the wet season. It is a small period of dry spell unpredictable as to how long it lasts.

March, April & May – these months are long rainy months. They are characterized by heavy clouds, especially in the highlands. Humidity is also high on the Kenyan coast.

Best time to visit

The best time to take a safari to Kenya is from Late June to October. Not only is it the dry season but the season when the annual Wildebeest Migration happens in the Masai Mara. The wildebeest arrive in the Mara by mid-July with August being the peak of this annual event and stay until October. Game viewing is, however, good all year round and varies from one park to the other.

Best Time to take safari – June – October & Jan- Feb

High season – July to October, plus the Christmas and New Year weeks and February. The Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli are at their busiest then, and camps book out furthest ahead.

Low Season – (March to May) - These months experience low visitors and also we experience high rainfall that causes some camps to close as well.

Best Weather – (June to October) – during these months we experience little to no rainfall. Best time to take a safari to Kenya.

Wildlife

Kenya offers some of the richest game viewing in Africa, and all five of the Big Five are present across the main circuits — though rhino and leopard are the scarce ones, and no sighting can be promised on a given day. Masai Mara is one of the best parks to visit and see the Big Cats and is home to the annual Wildebeest Migration. White rhinos can be seen in Lake Nakuru National Park, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, and Meru National Park. The floor of the rift valley has many Fresh and Alkaline Lakes. Lake Bogoria attracts thousands of flamingoes that throng to feed on the algae.

Wildebeest Migration - The wildebeest Migration is one of the most unique wildlife phenomena in Africa, naturally occurring; the event takes place annually between Tanzania's Serengeti National park and Masai Mara National Reserve in late June – October.

Over 1.5 Million ungulates- mainly wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles migrate from Serengeti national park to the majestic Masai Mara in search of water and pasture. Crossing the Mara river is the climax of this event. The Mara river is infested with the long Nile crocodile and it is unfortunate that some of the migrants' pilgrimage tour ends there.

Unique Wildlife - Samburu, Marsabit, and Meru Park are in the Northern Kenya circuit and they are host to some unique species adaptive to the dry climatic country. The long-necked gerenuk is often seen feeding while standing on its hind legs. The Grevy's zebra and reticulated giraffe are beautiful species found in these regions. Tsavo is home to the rare fringe-eared oryx.

Getting there

You can access Kenya by flying into the Country. The most popular airport is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport which is in Nairobi – the Main Capital City of Kenya. You can also fly into Moi International Airport at Mombasa, the main city on the Kenyan coast.

eTA – Kenya's Electronic Travel Authorisation is applied for online on the official portal at https://etakenya.go.ke, and it must be approved before you travel; visa on arrival is no longer offered. Citizens of most African Union member states are exempt from the eTA altogether, and East African Community nationals may stay up to 180 days without one, so check whether it applies to your nationality before you pay.

Touring within the country can be done by road. Kenya has a fairly good road network. However, parks are distanced from each other, driving from one destination to another sometimes may be long ranging from 2 hrs. - 5 hrs.

Local Charter Flights are an optional way to access the parks and reserves. They are booked as part of your safari package.

What to wear on safari

Stick to neutral earth tones, khaki, olive, beige and soft brown. These blend into the bush and keep you comfortable in the heat. Avoid bright white, which shows every speck of dust and can startle wildlife, and steer clear of blue and black, as those colours are known to attract tsetse flies.

Dress in layers. Dawn game drives can be genuinely chilly, especially in an open vehicle, so a warm fleece or jacket over a long-sleeved top works well, then peel layers off as the sun climbs. Add proper sun protection, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen, and closed walking shoes rather than sandals.

In towns, villages and especially when visiting local communities, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. It is a simple courtesy that is always appreciated.

Electricity & plugs

Kenya runs on 240V at 50Hz on the type G three-pin plug, so UK and Irish devices and plugs work as they are; visitors from elsewhere should pack a UK-style adapter.

Power can be intermittent in remote camps, where electricity may come from solar or a generator and run only at certain hours. A power bank for your phone and camera is well worth carrying so you are never caught short between charges.

Money & payments

The currency is the Kenyan shilling (KES). Cards are accepted at hotels, lodges and larger establishments in towns, but cash is useful for tipping, markets, curio stalls and small purchases out in the field.

Mobile money, particularly M-Pesa, is woven into everyday life in Kenya and used almost everywhere. ATMs are easy to find in cities and larger towns but scarce out in the parks, so draw what you need before heading into safari country. It is sensible to carry some smaller notes for tips and incidentals.

Health & vaccinations

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from, or have recently passed through, a country where yellow fever is a risk, so check your route and any stopovers carefully before you travel. Travellers coming directly from countries such as the UK are not generally required to show one, but rules can change, so confirm before departure.

Malaria is present in safari areas, so antimalarial prophylaxis is advised; Nairobi city itself is considered low risk. Speak to your doctor or a travel clinic well ahead of departure, ideally several weeks before, to arrange the right medication and any routine vaccinations. Pack insect repellent, cover up at dusk and dawn, and drink bottled or treated water on the road.

Staying connected

Mobile coverage is good across cities, towns and many parks, though it thins out in the more remote wilderness, which is part of the appeal. A local SIM or eSIM from a Kenyan network gives you affordable data and is easy to pick up on arrival; you will usually need your passport to register it.

Most lodges and camps offer Wi-Fi, often in communal areas rather than the rooms, and it can be slow or weather-dependent in far-flung spots. Treat patchy signal as a feature of the safari rather than a fault, and let people back home know you may be off-grid for a day or two.

Tipping

Tipping is customary in Kenya and genuinely appreciated, as it forms a meaningful part of income for guides and camp staff. Your safari guide, who shapes so much of the experience, is the person most worth recognising at the end of your time together.

Many lodges and camps provide a communal tip box shared among the wider team, alongside what you give your guide directly. Carry small notes in cash for this, as it is far easier than trying to tip by card, and give according to the service and your own sense of what feels right.

Safety & etiquette

Kenya is a welcoming, hospitable country, and a little common sense goes a long way. In cities, keep valuables out of sight, use trusted taxis or ride-hailing apps after dark, and stay aware of your surroundings as you would in any large city.

On safari, always follow your guide's instructions, stay in the vehicle unless told otherwise, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife. Ask before photographing people, dress modestly in towns and villages, and a few words of Swahili, jambo for hello and asante for thank you, will always be met with a smile.

Safari packing checklist

Neutral earth-tone clothing (khaki, olive, beige) for game drives
Warm fleece or jacket for cold dawn and evening drives
Lightweight long-sleeved tops and trousers for sun and insect cover
Wide-brimmed hat and good sunglasses
High-factor sunscreen and lip balm
Insect repellent (DEET-based) for dusk and dawn
Closed, comfortable walking shoes plus sandals for camp
Antimalarial medication and a small personal first-aid kit
UK-style type G plug adapter (if not coming from the UK/Ireland)
Power bank for phones and cameras
Binoculars for spotting distant wildlife
Reusable water bottle
Modest outfit for visiting towns and villages
Small notes in cash for tipping guides and staff

Kenya safaris to start from

Sample routes, not fixed departures — each is a starting point we rebuild around your dates, pace and budget.

7 days

Kenya safari — common questions

What's the best time of year for a Kenya safari?: Late June to October gives the strongest all-round viewing and brings the migration into the Maasai Mara. January–February are also excellent — warm, green, quieter, with newborns. April–May (long rains) is low season: greener, cheaper, some camps closed.
What wildlife will I see in Kenya?: All of the Big Five across its parks, plus cheetah on the Mara plains, flamingo flocks at Lake Nakuru, the great tusker elephants beneath Kilimanjaro at Amboseli, and rare northern species at Samburu. No sighting is guaranteed in the wild, but our guides know these reserves intimately.

Still deciding? Tell us your dates and we'll advise — no obligation.