The best time to visit Kenya for a safari is during the dry season. The dry season starts in July – October. During this month, luxury tourists can see the great wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara National Park. The main disadvantage of traveling during this season is that it is the Peak season.
During the peak season, Mombasa and Diani beaches are crowded. As a result of increased demand, high prices make the Kenya safari expensive for tourists looking to travel on a budget. Apart from July – October, you can also travel during the short rains, which is the month of December – February.
Best time to visit Mombasa
The best time for tourists in Kenya to visit Mombasa is July – October when there is very little rain and the sky is clear. From November, the short rains begin and last until mid-December, when the hot, dry season starts again.
The average temperature in Mombasa is around 32 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees celsius during the night. The warmest months are January, February, and March, while the coldest months are June, July, and August {the rainy season}.
Despite June to August being a rainy season, Mombasa has warm tropical temperatures throughout the year. This means that any time you go to Mombasa, you will always find your trip memorable and enjoyable. However, because of the high humidity levels {80 – 85%}, local tourists avoid Mombasa during certain months of the year.
However, the humidity levels will be fine for non-resident tourists on a Kenya Safari, escaping the harsh winter from Europe and Canada.
Quick facts about visiting Mombasa
Below are quick facts that luxury tourists need to know about when visiting Mombasa. These are:
- May is the wettest month
- The longest days in Mombasa are experienced in November
- June – August are the coldest months, with temperatures being as low as 22 degrees Celcius
- The lowest average temperature is around 22 degrees Celsius
The best month for activities in Mombasa
Most luxury travelers do not know that there are Humpback whales in Kenya! Yes, every year, Humpback whales migrate through Watamu waters in the coastal side of Kenya. You can also see Killer whales such as the Bryde and sperm whales.
A good time to see the whale migration is early June when the whales are migrating from Antarctica. They do this in search of food and to increase the survival rate of their newly-born calves. After June, the whales migrate back to Antarctica in October.
Whales can weigh as much as 30 tons and reach a length of 15 m. Whale watching is a fantastic way to enjoy a Kenya safari at the coast.
The best month to visit Kenya beaches.
The best time to go on a Mombasa Safari is from July to October. In October, the sun is bright, and the sky is perfectly blue. The ocean is also calm, making it safe to swim and snorkel. Other months ideal for swimming includes January, February, March, April, May, June, October, November, and December.
The best months to sail and snorkel during a Mombasa safari are October – January. During this month, the Indian ocean is calm and clear.
The best time to visit Mombasa to see turtles on the beach is from April to October when the nesting season is at its peak.
Best time to visit Kenya Masai Mara
The best time to visit Kenya Masai Mara depends on what you would like to do. For example, if you are booking a Kenya safari to see the great wild beast migration, the best month to travel will be late July – August. It is difficult to predict the exact day and month because of the changing weather patterns worldwide.
The best month for bird watching in the Masai Mara
If your Kenya tours in the Masai Mara involve bird watching, Then the best month to visit the mother would be the month of November – April. During this month, thousands of migratory birds migrate from Europe and North African countries in search of food in the Mara. Birds prefer to settle at the Masai Mara’s Musiara Marsh.
You can see different birds at the Masai Mara Musiara Mash, such as the Black-headed Heron, Grey Heron, Saddle-Billed storks, and crowned cranes.
Hot air balloon Masai Mara
If your Masai Mara Safari involves a hot air balloon ride, July- October would be the ideal travel month. This is because you will see the great migration while flying over the African Savanna. While inside the hot air balloon, you will see hundreds of thousands of wildebeest create a dark shade over the horizon as far as your eyes can see.
How much does it cost to visit Masai Mara?
If you are a luxury traveler, staying in the Masai Mara for a night will cost $2,500 – $3,000. The price will depend on whether it’s an off-peak or peak season. The price is for luxury five-star lodges that offer world-class amenities, accommodation, and security. In addition, some of these luxury lodges have the best views in Mara.
Imagine having breakfast while watching elephants or giraffes eat fruits from a Desert Date tree a few meters from your lodge. Luxury lodges have adequate security measures to protect their guests from wild animals. Guards patrol the lodge to ensure animals such as lions and cheetahs do not stray too close to their visitors.
The total cost of visiting the Masai Mara will also depend on the types of activities you would like to do. For example, the price will increase if you take an air balloon ride. Other factors that will increase the costs include:
- The park entry fees.
- Tips for the guide.
- Souvenirs you might buy to promote local businesses.
The cost will also increase if you decide to use air travel. For example, spending six hours on the road from Nairobi to the Masai Mara doesn’t make sense, yet you are on a luxury safari in Kenya. The only time that this would make sense is if you are planning to have multiple stops overs.
Air travel to the Masai Mara lasts for approximately 1 hour.
In a nutshell, the average cost of a luxury safari in the Masai Mara will cost $ 4,500 – $6,000.
Off-peak tourist season in Kenya
The off-peak tourist season in Kenya is during the rainy season. This is from April – May. During this season, the grass in most National parks has grown tall, making it difficult to see animals hiding in the plains. Similarly, the off-peak season makes most roads unpassable due to heavy thick mud.
The peak tourist season in Kenya starts from June – October when the great Wildebeest migration starts and ends. The peak season is drier, and the grass is shorter. However, when you travel to Kenya during this season, you will realise that the demand for tours is high. As a result, luxury lodges in Kenya will increase their prices.
The best way to visit National parks during the off-peak season is to use air travel. Air travel makes it easy to travel in hard-to-reach areas and gives you an immersive flying experience. You can know more about how much a luxury experience can cost by reading the Kenya Safari Cost article,
Best time to visit Nairobi
The best time to visit Nairobi would be during November – March. These months have warm spring temperatures of around 28° Celsius. Temperatures drop during the cold season, which is from June – October. Temperatures in the coldest month can be as low as 15 degrees Celsius.
This is still warmer for many tourists when you compare European temperature drops to a low of -3 degrees Celcius. Nairobi has two rainy Seasons; short and long rain seasons. The long rainy season starts from mid-march to the end of May. The short rainy season starts from late October to early December. The average rainfall during this period is 2 inches.
Best time to visit Nairobi National Park
The best time to visit the Nairobi National Park is from July – October. These are dry months, meaning the park is easily accessible by road, and the grass is short. Short grass makes it easy to see predators such as lions, hyenas, cheetahs, and jackals.
The Nairobi National Park can also be visited from January to February, which is also considered a dry season. Another good month to go to the Nairobi National Park in July.
Another thing to do in Nairobi besides visiting the Nairobi National Park is feeding tamed giraffes at the Giraffe Center in Nairobi. You can also visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to feed baby elephants. In addition, you can visit Kenya’s biggest museum to get a glimpse of Kenya’s history and see evidence of evolution.
In conclusion, the best time to visit Kenya should coincide with your preferred activities. For example, if you want to swim with whales and dolphins, the best time to visit Mombasa would be June – October, when they are migrating from Antarctica. When you want to travel to the Masai Mara, the best time to visit would be July – August, when the great wildebeest migration starts and Ends.
