Best time for a safari in Kenya

The best time to go to Kenya on safari is June through October. This is dry season in the Masai Mara, which means the vegetation is thin, making visibility easier, and wildlife tends to congregate around water sources, including the marsh at Wilderness Mara. If your priority is seeing the Great Migration, this is also the best time to visit Kenya as herds gather along the Mara River to cross between Serengeti National Park and the Masai Mara, creating dramatic scenes. Additionally, cooler temperatures also mean more comfortable daytime game drives.

The opposite season, November to May, offers a completely different experience. This is the rainy season in Kenya so the landscapes are transformed with lush greenery. This is the best time for birdwatching as many seasonal migrants arrive with the rains, while dramatic skies and thunderstorms provide atmospheric scenery for photography. This time of year also offers better value for money and fewer crowds than the peak safari season in Kenya. 

Kenya in June–October (peak safari season)

June through October is considered the best time for a Kenya safari. This is peak safari season in the Masai Mara National Reserve and is defined by dry conditions and the herds of the Great Migration. Temperatures also begin to fall, allowing for a cool and comfortable safari experience, and rain is rare.  

It is however the busiest travel period, with the Masai Mara welcoming hundreds of safari goers during this period. Booking your safari camp at least 9 to 12 months in advance is recommend, while you will also want to secure availability for speciality activities like hot air ballooning. During this time consider safari camps away from the Mara River or those located in the more exclusive Mara Triangle, where Wilderness Mara is found. With strict number caps on vehicles at sightings and a limited number of lodges located within the Mara Triangle, you can enjoy a far more meaningful experience away from the crowds.

This is a time when rainfall turns the landscape green, bringing atmospheric conditions and dramatic scenery for photographers. Birders will also love this time of year as migratory birds arrive in their numbers, bringing vivid colours to the plains. Fewer crowds also make your safari that much more enjoyable, while off-peak pricing means that your Kenya safari is that much more affordable and there is a better possibility of private vehicles or last-minute camp availability.