The climatic conditions in Kenya differ depending on the altitude. In the East African state it is warm all year round with average temperatures between 20 degrees Celsius. Thus, the climate in Kenya is divided into two zones: the climate of the highlands and the climate of the coast . The highlands are in the middle and west of Kenya, the coast in the east. In northern Kenya there are different climatic conditions. Due to the amount of precipitation, climate researchers differentiate between a dry and a rainy season in Kenya. Find out more about the climate in Kenya below! Using climate tables, I will show you when the best travel time for Kenya is. I differentiate between Kenya’s highlands, the coastal region and the north. Get all the information you need now and fly to Kenya at the best time to travel!
When is the best time to visit Kenya?
The best time to travel to Kenya is the dry season between mid-December and mid-March . This is also the main season in Kenya. If you want to escape this and travel cheaply to the East African country, the months June to October are suitable just as good. During this time the temperatures are not as high as in the winter months, but the probability of rain is very low. During the rainy season you can travel much cheaper to Kenya. However, it could happen that the rain showers hinder your tours. When it rains heavily, some roads may be impassable. In addition, the animals seek shelter from the rain so that you may not see them on your safari tours. On the coast of Kenya, apart from the rainy months from April to May, when it can get uncomfortably humid, a holiday is possible all year round. Find out more below!
The best time to travel to Nairobi and the highlands
According to baglib, Kenya’s capital Nairobi is the first port of call, especially for holidaymakers who want to explore the inland. The international airport is located here. If you want to spend your vacation in the center or in western Kenya, go on safari tours and discover the country, the best time to travel is between mid-December and mid-March . With temperatures around 25-28 degrees Celsius during the day and a relatively low probability of rain, it is consistently dry in the highlands. Since this time of year is the most popular for a Kenya vacation, the prices for flights and hotels are a bit more expensive. There are also more tourists in the country. An alternative travel time is the months of June to October. It is not quite as warm here as in the winter months, but there is little rainfall, so the dry weather creates ideal conditions for exploring. A special highlight of this time is the wildebeest migration, which attracts many tourists to Kenya. In my ” Best Time to Travel to Tanzania ” article I explain in detail when is the best time to travel for safari tours in the Serengeti National Park.
Climate table for Kenya’s highlands (Nairobi)
| Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. Temperature in ° C | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 25 |
| Min. Temperature in ° C | 13 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 |
| Hours of sunshine per day | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 |
| Rainy days per month | 4 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 13 | 6 |
The climate in the highlands of Kenya
In the highlands of Kenya , the rainy season is divided into two sections. On average, there is more precipitation from the end of March to May and from the end of October to mid-December. These two periods represent the rainy season in central and western Kenya. The precipitation is characterized by short but heavy showers in the afternoon, evening or night. The warmest months are January and February with maximum temperatures of 26 degrees Celsius. The dry season between July and August is also the coldest season in Kenya’s highlands with values between 21-22 degrees Celsius per day. At night it cools down to 10 degrees Celsius. In the highlands the climate is drier compared to the coastal region.
The best time to travel to Mombasa (Indian Ocean coast)
In the east, Kenya borders the Indian Ocean with its coast . Here you can spend a wonderful beach holiday all year round . The only two months that do not offer optimal weather conditions are April and May. They represent the first rainy season on the Kenyan coast and are the rainiest months. With ten to 14 rainy days per month and temperatures of around 32 degrees Celsius, the weather is sometimes uncomfortably humid. The second rainy season between October and November is not the best time to visit Kenya’s coast either but is more suitable than the first rainy season. All other months of the year are blessed with blazing sun and daytime temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius. The best travel time for Kenya’s coast in the east of the country is between December and March and between June and September . The prevailing trade wind brings a wonderful breeze, so that the hot temperatures are very bearable. In addition, you can not only swim wonderfully in the sea on holiday, but also practice water sports such as kiting and surfing .
Climate table for Kenya’s coast (Mombasa)
| Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. Temperature in ° C | 33 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 |
| Min. Temperature in ° C | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 22 |
| Hours of sunshine per day | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
| Water temperature in ° C | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
| Rainy days per month | 3 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
The climate in the coastal region of Kenya
The climate on the coast of Kenya is shaped by the Indian Ocean. Temperatures and rainfall are higher in the east of the country than in the highlands. In the driest and warmest months of January and February, temperatures in the coastal region are around 33 degrees Celsius. In the other dry phase between July and August you can expect around 29 degrees Celsius on the coast. At night the thermometer rarely drops below 20 degrees Celsius. The rainy season on the coast is from April to May and from October to November. The amount of precipitation in the autumn months is significantly lower than in spring, when it can be uncomfortably humid.
The best time to travel to the north of Kenya
In the north of Kenya it is on average warmer than in the other regions. The climate is sunny and dry all year round . In the hottest month of February, temperatures reach the limit of 40 degrees Celsius at noon. Temperatures comparable to those in the border regions in the north prevail at the lower elevations inland . If you do a Kenya tour, you can visit the Samburu in the north , the Nilotic people, and watch their herds of cattle. Other impressive parks in the north are the Buffalo Springs and Shaba areas. Since the climate in the north of Kenya is warm all year round and with little rainfall, all months of the year are suitable for a vacation. Those who cannot bear the dry heat so well should avoid the hot months of February, September and October . Here the thermometer can easily reach 35 degrees during the day.
My conclusion on the best travel time for Kenya
In Kenya it is warm all year round. Therefore, the East African state is wonderfully suitable for a vacation every month. The dry season in Kenya offers better weather conditions . In the months of December to March and June to October there is hardly any precipitation, so this time is best suited for a Kenya tour. Depending on the altitude, different climatic conditions prevail in Kenya. If you want to relax on the beach, you can do it all year round on Kenya’s east coast. Only the months of April and May are less suitable for this, as it rains more often and is humid. The ideal travel time for a vacation in the highlands of Kenya, such as in the capital Nairobi, is from mid-December to mid-March. This is also the main tourist season in Kenya. Outside the main season, the best time to travel to Kenya is from June to October. It is less warm here than in winter, but the weather is ideal with little rainfall, which makes a great holiday possible.
