For those who have been to Kenya for a short trip, the frustration has always been that there is just so much to see in very little time. That being said, what is the best time to visit Kenya? In actuality, there is no ‘wrong’ time to visit the country but there is a way to capitalize on any short tour of the land. The most ideal time to tour Kenya is a factor of the kind of holiday being sought after.
The Best Times for Wildlife
Kenya is renowned for a unique Wonder of the World which is the annual Wildebeest Migration. If you therefore love wildlife there is no better time to experience the full density and diversity of nature than between July and October. This is also arguably the most thrilling time to go on Safari across the whole country although just one stop at The Maasai Mara National Park can guarantee you a comprehensive experience.
During this period, the weather is usually dry implying that most animals can be found in common places like waterholes, and along lakes and rivers. More so, less rainfall results in less lush vegetation making it easier to view animals from far on the plateauing land.
The Best Times To Visit Kenya for Expeditions
Kenyan Safaris are only ill advised during the months of April, May, November and early December, meaning that the rest of the year is a superb for trips. If you also love trekking mountain peaks, then the schedule is almost the same. In the case of Mount Kenya, its summit is usually snowcapped and cold all year round with temperatures dropping up to -10 degrees Celsius at night. Even though it is possible to hike the Mountain any time of the year, it is very risky during the rainy season (mid-March to mid-June and late October to mid-December).
The best times to visit Kenya therefore would be from January to February as well as July to October.
The Best Times to Enjoy Beach Holidays
Kenya also has a substantial extent of coastline which tourists can explore as well as a rich spectacle of ancient Swahili towns. From the North Coast towns of Lamu and Malindi all the way to the Southern slave caves in Shimoni, the touring timescale doesn’t differ; that is between December and March. Even though the temperatures are almost always hot, the cold ocean breeze is superbly uplifting. If you would love to take part in the famous Swahili Cultural Festivals, you’d consider travelling early so that you get there sometime around mid-November. You should however be aware that this is one of the peak seasons where there is quite some holiday commotion.
The Best Times to Tour the Northern Arid Areas
Most of the Northern parts of Kenya are arid and semi-arid and remain this way throughout the year. This is the camel region of Kenya and temperature may soar up to 40 degrees Celsius at certain points and times. The best times to travel these areas is therefore either June, July, August or December. The areas are sparsely populated but hosts a number of local tribes like the Samburu and have a unique rugged terrain as well as nature trails.
In general, Kenya is a sunny country by virtue of being on the equator but the temperatures are usually fair and bearable throughout the year. During the favored travel months, the environment is usually at its best with less mosquitoes and clear skies which allow for unhindered site seeing as well as endless adventures. Basing on these facts, Kenya offers a guaranteed splendor and your experience will only depend on your timing.