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Quick Answer
At a glance
- Best time
- Jun–Oct and Jan–Feb; Jul–Oct for the migration
- Time needed
- 8 to 12 days
- Currency
- Kenyan shilling (KES)
- Language
- English and Kiswahili
- Visa
- eTA required for most visitors, from US$30
- Getting around
- Madaraka Express train, domestic flights
Kenya is one country with three very different trips inside it: the savanna parks for a safari, Nairobi as the gateway city, and the Indian Ocean coast for the beach. The questions are which months suit the one you want, what the parks cost now, and what to sort out before you fly. All fees and rules below were checked on 9 October 2026.
Kenya month by month
Kenya sits on the equator, so the seasons are about rain, not temperature. There are two wet seasons: the long rains from March to May and the short rains in November. Nairobi stands at around 1,700 metres, which keeps it mild all year. The figures are Kenya Meteorological Department normals published on the WMO World Weather Information Service, for Nairobi and for Narok, the county town of the Maasai Mara.
| Month | Nairobi high / low | Nairobi rain | Narok rain (Maasai Mara) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24.5°C / 11.5°C | 64.1 mm | 79.3 mm | Dry-season safari, winter escape |
| February | 25.6°C / 11.6°C | 56.5 mm | 66.7 mm | Safari and the coast, warmest month |
| March | 25.6°C / 13.1°C | 92.8 mm | 94.9 mm | Last dry weeks, rains start |
| April | 24.1°C / 14.0°C | 219.4 mm | 135.4 mm | Long rains, lowest prices |
| May | 22.6°C / 13.2°C | 176.6 mm | 92.0 mm | Green season, some camps close |
| June | 21.5°C / 11.0°C | 35.0 mm | 25.9 mm | Dry season begins |
| July | 20.6°C / 10.1°C | 17.5 mm | 16.6 mm | Migration arrives in the Mara |
| August | 21.4°C / 10.2°C | 23.5 mm | 24.2 mm | River crossings, peak season |
| September | 23.7°C / 10.5°C | 28.3 mm | 25.3 mm | River crossings, peak season |
| October | 24.7°C / 12.5°C | 55.3 mm | 31.0 mm | End of migration season |
| November | 23.1°C / 13.1°C | 154.2 mm | 73.7 mm | Short rains, quieter parks |
| December | 23.4°C / 12.6°C | 101.0 mm | 75.9 mm | Holiday safaris and the coast |
July is Nairobi’s coolest month, and nights in the parks can drop below 10°C, so pack a warm layer for early game drives. Narok’s averages run to 26 to 27°C by day from December to March.
Top Cities to Explore
Best time to visit Kenya by trip type
The Great Migration (July to October)
Magical Kenya, the Kenya Tourism Board’s site, describes the Great Migration as a year-round movement of wildebeest, zebras and other grazers between Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara. Its most dramatic stage runs from July to October, when the herds cross the crocodile-filled Mara River into the Mara. That is also when camps are fullest and the Mara charges its high-season fee, so book early. Our where to go in July and where to go in August guides compare the Mara with other long-haul options.
Winter escape and dry-season safari (January and February)
January and February are the short dry season between the two rains, and they fall in the northern winter. Nairobi averages 24.5 to 25.6°C highs with around 60 mm of rain a month, and Mombasa on the coast averages 32°C highs with only 15 mm of rain in February. The migration herds are mostly in Tanzania then, but the resident wildlife in the Mara, Amboseli and Nairobi National Park stays put, and you can pair a safari with a beach week at Diani.
The beach (December to March, and July to October)
The coast is hot and humid all year. Mombasa’s Kenya Meteorological Department normals show the driest months are January to March, while May is the wettest at 240 mm. Diani Beach, south of Mombasa, is the main beach base.
Green season (April, May and November)
The rains turn the parks green, prices fall and the crowds thin, but some camps close and dirt tracks can become hard going. April is the wettest month in Nairobi.
Where to go in Kenya
Nairobi. Most international flights land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, and the capital is worth two days of its own: Nairobi National Park sits on the city’s edge, and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s elephant orphanage and the Giraffe Centre are close by. Our Nairobi city guide covers where to stay, the airport and the train to the coast.
Maasai Mara. The country’s best-known reserve, in the south-west on the Tanzanian border, and the stage for the migration from July to October. It is run by Narok County, not by Kenya Wildlife Service.
Amboseli. A Kenya Wildlife Service premium park south of Nairobi near the Tanzanian border, known for its elephants with Mount Kilimanjaro behind them.
Diani and the coast. White-sand beaches south of Mombasa on the Indian Ocean, an easy add-on after a safari.
If you are choosing between African safari countries, our South Africa guide and Kruger guide cover the self-drive alternative.
How much does a trip to Kenya cost?
Park fees are the fixed cost that catches people out, because they are charged per person per day. Kenya Wildlife Service raised all of its conservation fees on 1 October 2025; the figures below are its non-resident rates, and a daily KWS ticket is valid for up to 24 hours.
| Item | Cost (non-resident) |
|---|---|
| Nairobi National Park, adult | 80 US dollars a day (child or student 40) |
| Nairobi package (park, Animal Orphanage and Safari Walk) | 105 US dollars |
| Amboseli or Lake Nakuru, adult | 90 US dollars a day (child or student 45) |
| Tsavo East or Tsavo West, adult | 80 US dollars a day |
| Maasai Mara National Reserve (Narok County) | around 200 US dollars a day July to December, around 100 US dollars January to June |
| Kenya eTA, standard processing | from 30 US dollars |
| Sheldrick elephant orphanage visit, adult | 20 US dollar minimum donation, plus the park fee |
Lodges and tented camps are where budgets diverge most, and Mara camps charge their highest rates in migration season. The park fee is usually included in a safari package price, so check the quote says so.
How to get around Kenya
Train. Kenya Railways’ Madaraka Express runs on the standard-gauge line between Nairobi Terminus and Mombasa Terminus. The Inter-County train leaves both ends at 08:00 and stops at stations including Voi for Tsavo, the Express leaves at 15:00 with one stop at Voi, and a night train leaves at 22:00. Tickets go on sale 60 days ahead on the official metickets.krc.co.ke site or by Safaricom USSD, and Kenya Railways says it does not accept credit or debit cards.
Flights. Safari airlines such as Safarilink fly light aircraft from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to airstrips in the Maasai Mara and Amboseli and to Diani on the coast, the fastest way to link the parks.
Road. Most safaris run in a driver-guided 4x4 or pop-up minivan from Nairobi. The UK Foreign Office advises against driving at night and recommends booking safaris through reputable operators, not touts.
Entry requirements, health and money
eTA. Most visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation, applied for only on etakenya.go.ke. The official FAQ puts the standard fee at from 30 US dollars, usually processed within three business days, with an expedited option for an extra 100 US dollars. Citizens of the East African Community partner states, including Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda, are exempt for up to 180 days, and nationals of a list of countries including South Africa, Ghana, Malaysia and Singapore for up to 90 days. Your passport needs at least six months’ validity. The UK Foreign Office reports that from 5 October 2026, eTA applicants must also buy travel health insurance as part of the application.
Health. A yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from a country with yellow fever transmission risk, and the US CDC recommends the vaccine for most travellers aged nine months and over, except for trips limited to Nairobi or the coast around Mombasa. The CDC lists malaria risk everywhere below 2,500 metres, including the game parks, but only rare cases in central Nairobi. On 6 October 2026, Kenya’s Ministry of Health confirmed the country’s first imported Ebola case, according to the UK Foreign Office: check the latest health advice before you travel. A travel first aid kit is worth packing for the parks.
Safety. The UK Foreign Office advises against travel near the Somali border and to parts of the north-east coast, none of which are on a standard safari route. It warns of mugging and bag-snatching in Nairobi’s Central Business District and around bus and train stations, so use official taxis and keep valuables out of sight.
Money and connectivity. Kenya uses the Kenyan shilling (KES), and English and Kiswahili are the official languages. For data, compare plans in our best eSIM for travel guide, and check plugs in our travel adapters by country guide. For the wildlife, a zoom lens matters more than anything else you pack: our best travel cameras guide compares options.
- Activate before you fly: data works on arrival
- Plans for 200+ countries from a few dollars
- Keep your number; no physical SIM swap
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Kenya?
June to October and January to February are the dry seasons and the best months for a safari. Kenya Meteorological Department figures on the WMO climate service give Nairobi just 17.5 mm of rain in July and 56.5 mm in February, against 219.4 mm in April. The Kenya Tourism Board places the Mara River crossings of the Great Migration between July and October.
When is the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara?
Magical Kenya, the Kenya Tourism Board’s site, describes the migration as a year-round movement between the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Its most dramatic stage runs from July to October, when wildebeest and zebras cross the Mara River into the Maasai Mara. Book camps early for August and September.
Do I need a visa for Kenya?
Most visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) from etakenya.go.ke before they fly, including children. The official FAQ says the standard eTA starts at 30 US dollars and is usually processed within 72 hours, and recommends applying at least two weeks ahead. Citizens of the East African Community partner states and a list of mainly African and Caribbean countries are exempt.
How much are Kenya national park fees?
Kenya Wildlife Service fees rose on 1 October 2025. A non-resident adult pays 80 US dollars a day for Nairobi National Park and Tsavo East or West, and 90 US dollars for Amboseli and Lake Nakuru, with children at half price. The Maasai Mara is run by Narok County, not KWS, and charges around 200 US dollars a day from July to December.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccine for Kenya?
You need a yellow fever certificate if you arrive from a country with yellow fever transmission risk. The US CDC also recommends the vaccine for most travellers aged nine months and over, except for trips limited to Nairobi or the coast around Mombasa. Malaria is present below 2,500 metres, including the game parks, so ask a travel clinic about tablets.
Is Kenya safe for tourists?
Read your government’s advice before you book. The UK Foreign Office advises against travel to areas near the Somali border and parts of the north-east coast, warns of street crime in Nairobi’s city centre, and recommends reputable safari operators, daylight arrivals at parks and not driving at night.
Start planning your Kenya trip
Migration-season camps in the Mara fill months ahead, so fix your dates and your Nairobi nights first, then build the safari around them.
Find cheap flights to Nairobi | Compare Nairobi hotel prices
More ideas: where to go in July, where to go in August and our Morocco guide for a shorter African trip from Europe.
