The Best Time To Visit Kenya
Introduction:
The climate temperature can be described as strange at best. Its dry season is interrupted by a wet spell and its wet season by a dry one. You can’t go wrong with Kenya no matter when you choose to visit. However, if you want to experience the Great Migration, or enjoy diving, then you can’t just turn up at any month, unfortunately. The period from January to April is the driest. These months have little to no rainfall and also have low humidity. The temperature from May to December is comfortable, and usually, the temperature throughout the year is consistent.
If you like climbing, then you can make the most of the dry season as it offers the most visibility. The mountains can get cold, though. Kenya’s highest point, Mt. Kenya, is always covered in snow.
Kenya From July To October And January To February:
Africa is synonymous with wildlife. The Masai Mara in Kenya is world-famous for its animal migration. If you visit this reserve in June, you may just get to witness countless wildebeest, zebras, and giraffes moving across the Serengeti. July to October and January to February are the peak season months as the grass is thin and the rainfall is low. The animals are also easier to spot during this period because the animals converge to the waterholes. July is a great time to see huge pink flamingo flocks at Lake Nakuru.
August in Kenya can be just as good as July. August is when the Great Migration is ongoing and you will see numerous wildebeest in the plains of the Masai Mara. In addition to the Masai Mara. You can enjoy the best cuisine that Kenya can offer in its capital Nairobi and the Nairobi Restaurant Week is the best time for enjoying Kenyan delicacies. The Maralal Camel Derby is held in Samburu County in the northern part of the country. Here you can enjoy a camel race where participants from countries like Poland, Germany, Australia, the USA, and the UK come. Some editions have had performers from the neighbouring Marsabit, Turkana, and Baringo counties.
September is also not a bad month in terms of weather and wildlife. The migration still does not with the entry of the hot and dry season. There is no chance of rain during this period and this is the time of the East African Community Arts Festival JAMAFEST. It takes place every two years and is held in the East African nations. You can check in which country this event will be held and if it’s in Kenya, then you’ve struck gold.
October in Nairobi is the time of the Tusker Safari Sevens, an annual Rugby Sevens tournament where international teams also participate. Mashujaa Day, or Heroes Day is held on October 20. It honours the people involved in Kenya’s independence movement. Since it is a public holiday, you will see a lot of people on the beaches and parks.
If you visit Kenya with plans of snorkeling, hiking, or basking on the beach in January, you’re in for a great time. It is the dry season and the safest for mounting Mt. Kenya and hiking in places such as Hell’s Gate National Park. In the low season, once the Great Migration is over, it is the time for the birds in the Masai Mara. Mombasa Beach is the place to be for celebrating the New Year.
February is also as dry as January and this is another great opportunity for experiencing the wildlife of Kenya. The terrain won’t be muddy this time of the year. Keep in mind that the price for accommodations can be a tad high.
November To March Kenya:
If you visit Kenya in November, you will get to experience the Mombasa Carnival and Lamu Cultural Festival. These festivals celebrate the rich heritage of Kenya’s ethnic groups and communities.
Mombasa’s street party is highlighted by music and dance while the Lamu archipelago, where the Lamu Cultural Festival is held, comes alive with the traditional dance ngoma, the dhow, or sailboat building which goes back centuries, dhow regattas, fish-trap making and donkey-racing.
Kenya is rich in cultures from South Asia as well, so you can experience the festival of Diwali here too. The temples are decorated, and sweets from that part of the globe are distributed. Although the weather during November is both sunny and rainy, you can still enjoy a bit of safari.
December is the best for seeing Kenya at its greenest. The rains usually stop in the middle of the month and the parks of the country. January and February are considered the ‘second peak season’ in Kenya. It becomes a paradise for snorkelers and divers during this time. 12 December is Jamhuri Day. ‘Jamhuri’ means ‘republic’ in Swahili and celebrates the independence of Kenya from British Rule that happened in 1963. Cultural events, music, and dance highlight this day.
Lake Victoria sees the two-day Rusinga Cultural Festival. It celebrates the culture of the threatened Asuba people. The Beneath The Baobabs Festival is one of Kenya’s biggest music festivals.
March sees the Muslims of Kenya observe Ramadan and it is also the month of Mount Kenya Festival, where people celebrate the country’s highest peak.
April And June In Kenya: For The Frugals:
April and May are the months of the ‘long rains’. They sometimes start in March too. While it is understandable that some explorers may give Kenya in the rainy season, the ones who do not can experience a different level of tranquility in the Masai Mara, which remains open. You may find some safari lodges closed, but this season can still be good for going to the coach. The Samburu National Reserve can be the place for excellent wildlife photography as the animals meet at the Ewaso Ngiro River.
If you want to visit the highlands of Kenya, June is the month. The low humidity makes walking and climbing easier. Since these months are not high season, therefore the prices are lower. If you are traveling on a budget, you can make a killing with savings by coming to Kenya from April to June.
The country celebrates Madaraka Day on June 1. It is the anniversary of Kenya’s move to self-rule. The Lake Turkana Festival in the Rift Valley sees the ethnic groups of the region come together and celebrate their culture and promote harmony.
Finally, if you are an off-roader, the Rhino Charge is a 4×4 race is a fundraiser for the conservation of mountain ecosystems.
Conclusion:
We have covered everything that Kenya has in store for you. Now it is up to you to decide when you want to go. You can snorkel, dive, click photos of animals and birds, get to know in depth about the culture, engage in the many festivals, and much more. All we can say is, Kenya is a great choice if you want to witness the true essence of Africa with your own eyes
