Best Time to Visit Kenya for Safari in 2022/3 – Hail Tours Kenya
When is the best time to visit Kenya? Anytime is the right time to visit Kenya. When you think of visiting Kenya, there are 2 seasons to take note, the dry and wet season. Each of these seasons are significant on their own way. Determining when is the best time to visit Kenya is generally challenging because what one visitor may consider the best time may turn to be the worst time.
Safaris to Kenya can be done anytime but, the dry season is with no doubt the best time to enjoy the big 5 game viewing safari, witness/watch the wildebeest migration, hiking or climbing etc. Most of the tourist destinations in Kenya begin to experience dry spell/peak season from June, July, August, September to early October.
June to October are Kenya’s best months of the year to visit the Magical Kenya to experience the best of wildlife or game viewing safari. July to October offers favorable conditions for watching the wildebeest migration at Maasai Mara National Reserve.
July to November are peak months of the year and January to February are calving or birthing season- a perfect period to watch beautiful wildebeest calves. July to September coincide with wildebeest migration which means that you can enjoy wildebeest migration watching and big five game viewing.
Most of the National Parks in Kenya become overcrowded during the peak months of the year from July, August, October, November, January, February. This is especially Lake Nakuru National Park, Amboseli National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve among others.
Wet & dry season
Like other African safari destinations, Kenya also experiences 2 short and long rainy while short rains occur from November and dry seasons. The long rains in Kenya occur from March to May while dry months begin from June to September, December to February. These are also the best months of the year to interact with wildebeest.
Where to visit during the months?
Masai Mara National Reserve is best to visit from July to October. Visiting Mara Reserve during these does allow you explore and experience not only the big five but also the wildebeests. The wildebeest migration experience is best enjoyed from July till mid-October- this is when the wildebeests can be watched crossover to Masai Mara from its neighboring Serengeti National Park of Tanzania.
The Northern National Parks in Kenya tend to be hot in October and this is especially in Samburu National Park and Meru National Park. Short rains begin from October, November and this is when most parks and other protected areas can be greener,
Calving season for wildebeests in Masai Mara can be witnessed from December, January to February. Some parks experience low number of tourists during these months. Heavy rains are experienced from March to May and the smooth Kenya safaris begin at the end of May.
For big game viewing, the special spots not to miss visiting besides Masai Mara include Tsavo Parks, Amboseli, Nakuru National Parks and others.
Reasons to visit Kenya
Kenya has positioned itself as a preferred safari destination for a good reason. There is a lot for nature lovers, climbers/hikers, cultural enthusiasts etc to enjoy while on Kenya safaris. From wildebeest migration experience in the Masai Mara National Reserve to big game viewing.
Masai Mara lies in Narok County of Kenya, sprawling on the land area of 1510sq.kms and protects a range of wildlife. The reserve’s wildlife species to explore besides wildebeests include giraffes, cheetahs, lions, elephants, leopards, zebras, leopards, birds such as Kori bustards, ostriches, rufous throated wryneck, rufous bellied heron;
trilling cisticola, temminck’s courser, Swahili sparrow, silver bird, saddle billed stork, Schawlow’s turacos, secretary bird, woolly necked stork, yellow throated sandgrouse, yellow mantled widowbird, white bellied go-away bird.
Birding in Masai Mara is best done from November to April. These are the months of the year that coincide with the rainy season when most species can be spotted breeding and several migratory birds flock in.
Flamingos at Lake Nakuru National Park. Kenya is also considered among the lovely destinations in Africa for watching flamingos. However, there are also other bird species to keep an eye on including black tailed godwit, kingfishers, hottentot teal, great blue eared starling, Abyssinian thrush etc.
Other than wildlife, Nakuru National Park is a special wildlife destination to see zebras, leopards, lions, impalas, baboons, elands, buffaloes, warthogs, hyenas. Besides birding, the other exciting activities to engage in include game drives, hiking etc.
Kenya is an ideal place to enjoy hot air balloon experiences, mountaineering, experience unique African cultures especially those of the Masai people and Samburu, beach or honeymoon experiences.
Kenya has plenty of destinations for tourists to start their adventure. The other must-visit parks on Kenya safaris include Tsavo National Parks- Tsavo East and Tsavo West. These are visited for big five game viewing and most popular for their huge herds of red elephants.
Other untapped places include Samburu National Reserve, Nairobi National Park, Mt. Elgon National Park, Chyulu Hills National Park, Arabuko-Sokoke, Longonot National Park, Marine National Parks.
The beautiful sand beaches at the coastline and the magical islands offer unforgettable experiences. Kenya is strategically positioned and boasts of its extensive white sand beaches (such as Kilifi beach, Bamburi, Malindi beach, Nyali beach, Shanzu beach, Lamu beach, Tiwi beach, Kikambala beach, Diani beach, Watamu beach etc);
and islands such as Funzi worth visiting for visitors in search for peaceful mind, Lamu Island known for its enchanting blend of the 13th century architecture.
Other splendid islands to immerse yourself on Kenya safaris besides Lamu include Manda, Chale, Kiwayu. Also, visit Mombasa for exceptional historical experience, experience the aroma of exotic spices, explore the historical buildings, markets and more.
What to carry
Once you have known the ideal months of the year to visit Kenya, next you should consider which items to carry. You must pack wisely and start with valid passport, sunscreen, insect repellents, cameras, hiking boots, sunglasses, safari hat, trousers, first aid kit, long sleeved safari shirts etc.