When to Visit Kenya’s National Parks and Game Reserves

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When to Visit Kenya’s National Parks and Game Reserves


Kenya is a land of astonishing beauty and climatic diversity, offering everything from tropical coastlines and dry savannas to cool highlands. Whether you’re planning your first safari or your tenth, understanding when and where to go can make all the difference. Here’s your ultimate guide to Kenya’s climate and the best times to embark on your safari adventure.

Climate Overview

Kenya’s climate is as varied as its landscapes. Here’s a snapshot of what to expect:

  • Coast: Think tropical paradise with an average of 27°C year-round.
  • Hinterland: Enjoy the balmy range of 21°C to 27°C, perfect for those endless savanna views.
  • Nairobi and Highlands (over 1,500 meters): Crisp and refreshing, ranging from 19°C to 24°C.

Kenya’s Safari Seasons

Low (Wet) Season – April/May and November/December

During the ‘long rains’ from April to June and the ‘short rains’ from November to December, Kenya transforms into a lush, vibrant wonderland. Rain usually falls in brief, powerful tropical downpours in the late afternoon and evening.

Pros:

  • Abundance of baby animals: Who can resist the sight of newborn wildlife?
  • Lush green landscapes: Perfect for photography with the best light of the year.
  • Affordable accommodations: Save big on lodging.
  • Less crowded: Enjoy a more intimate experience with fewer tourists.
  • Bird-watching paradise: April and May are top-notch for avid birdwatchers.

Cons:

  • Wettest months: April and May can get quite soggy.
  • Muddy roads: Getting around can be tricky.
  • Coastal heat: It’s hot and humid along the shore.
  • More mosquitoes: Bring the repellent!

Shoulder Season – June, January, February and March

With the rains mostly behind, this season offers a more predictable climate, though light showers may still occur, and nights at higher altitudes can be cool.

Pros:

  • Mild weather: Cool and comfortable, perfect for exploring.
  • Green grasslands: Still lush and alive.
  • Bird-watching: Delightful for those keeping an eye to the skies.
  • Great Migration anticipation: The excitement builds as the Great Migration moves into the Masai Mara.

Cons:

  • High grass: Less optimal for spotting wildlife.
  • Variable nights: June can be chilly, especially in the highlands.

High (Dry) Season – July, August, September, and October

These months mark Kenya’s winter, bringing cooler mornings and evenings, especially in the highlands. Pack some warm layers for those early game drives!

Pros:

  • Wildebeest migration: July, August, and September are prime months to witness this epic event.
  • Sunny and clear skies: Picture-perfect weather.
  • Lower malaria risk: Always a plus.
  • Reliable wildlife viewing: Animals gather around dwindling water sources.

Cons:

  • Higher costs: Accommodations are pricier.
  • Crowded parks: Popular spots can be bustling.
  • Advance booking needed: Plan ahead to secure your spot.
  • Fewer baby animals: But plenty of other wildlife to admire!

When to Visit Kenya’s National Parks and Game Reserves

For the ultimate Kenya safari experience, plan your visit from July to September during the dry season, when wildlife viewing is at its peak and the Great Migration is in full swing. Kenya’s two rainy seasons, the ‘short rains’ (November to December) and the ‘long rains’ (March to May), offer lower crowds and lush landscapes, making them a great time for budget travelers and birdwatchers.

Top Travel Window for Specific Parks:

  • Amboseli National Park: Best from January to March and June to October.
  • Masai Mara Game Reserve: Peak months are January to March and June to December.
  • Samburu National Reserve: Optimal from January to March and June to October.
  • Laikipia Plateau Area: Great viewing from January to March and June to October.
  • Aberdare National Park: Visit from January to March and June to October for fantastic wildlife encounters.

Ready to immerse yourself in Kenya’s stunning wildlife and diverse climates? Explore our bespoke safari packages and book your adventure today at meektrailssafaris.com. Start your journey now for an unforgettable African safari experience!


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stephanietanous
December 15, 2024

An Unforgettable Week with Meektrails

An amazing week with Meektrails! James was our guide - professional, kind, and knowledgeable with a big smile welcoming us into each incredible experience! We followed his guidance through Amboseli, Naivasha, Nakuru, and Masai Mara and saw all big five up close while learning about Kenya, the parks, and the animals. Meektrails sorted everything and made our trip very easy and enjoyable. Great lodging, good food, and lovely people the whole way. Thank you James and team!

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i_akih89
December 12, 2024

Great experience / fantastic Anthony (guide)

Hello!We are a family of 5 from Gipuzkoa Spain and we have recently travelled with Meektrails. The experience has been fantastic and they really deliver what they offer. Special mention to our guide Anthony who has taken care of us like his own family, a good professional with a lot of sensitivity to locate animals and a very respectful person with the environment and especially with people.

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Tourist652376
December 7, 2024

Out of the World Safari Experience

My family and I had so much fun on the safari organized by MeekTrails. All the hotels and resorts were amazing and very accommodating to vegetarian diet.From the booking to the final day airport drop off, everything was seamless and taken care off.Joseph was an extraordinary guide and human being. He was very kind and understanding. He was very knowledgeable and we were lucky to have him show us around. He provided amazing details and information about the wildlife and I appreciate that very muchWe have 0 complains. Everything was PERFECT

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Keenanpg
November 29, 2024

Great Safari with Meektrails

We recently completed a 7 night safari with Meektrails and had a great experience. Our tour was originally organized by Charles who was very responsive and able to customize our itinerary to our wishes and budget. We spent time in Maasai mara, Nakuru, Amboseli, and Tsavo and enjoyed all of them. The land cruiser was in excellent condition, with a pop-up roof, huge roll down windows, comfortable seats, and working power plugs.Our amazing guide was Anthony who really elevated the experience and allowed us to have an incredible Safari. From the start Anthony was so friendly and open, and made it clear his aim was to make our experience as great as possible. He was absolutely amazing at finding animals and getting us as close as possible to all different animals. We saw everything we had expected and more including cubs and young of nearly every species. He knows all the roads, routes, and small trails which allowed us to get very up close experiences. He also seems to know everyone, from other guides to park rangers which helped us learn about and find the location of animals. He was even also able to organize an early entrance to a couple of the parks to allow us to see sunrise in the park with the animals.Throughout the trip Anthony always double checked the planned schedule with us and offered many suggestions for changes or additions to the plan which really improved the trip. It's clear he has a lot of experience, and local knowledge which allowed him to adjust the itinerary in the best way possible. It's also clear he cares greatly for the local communities and organized for us to give our unused lunch packs to local children rather than seeing the food go to waste.We greatly appreciated our time with Anthony and thanks to him the safari exceeded all our expectations. As for Meektrails the booking process was responsive and easy, and everything was organized as discussed with no hitches. We would certainly organize another safari with Meektrails if returning to Kenya.

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mayamT6827VS
November 29, 2024

Best guide, best company

Our 7-day safari with Meektrails Safaris in Kenya with our guide Anthony was absolutely unforgettable! From start to finish, the experience exceeded all expectations. Our guide Anthony was phenomenal—he was knowledgeable, patient, and went above and beyond to ensure we saw everything on our wildlife wishlist. Thanks to his incredible skill and dedication, we had close encounters with the Big Five, witnessed breathtaking landscapes, and even saw species we hadn’t expected. His passion for wildlife and his deep understanding of the ecosystem made every game drive an adventure filled with learning and excitement. The accommodations and planning by Meektrails were seamless, making the whole journey stress-free and comfortable. Whether it was sunrise safari or tracking animals, every moment was magical. If you’re looking for a safari company that delivers an exceptional experience with a personal touch, Meektrails Safaris is the one. Highly recommended!

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581femkeb
November 27, 2024

An amazing 6 day safari

We had a really great experience! We went on a 6 day safari. Our guide was Phillip, we went to Masai Mara and we spotted the big five. Phillip was a really good and enthusiastic guide. I would really recommend it.

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tommasocasarini
November 24, 2024

Unforgettable first safari

We chose MeekTrails for our first family Safari in Kenya and it was a great choice. We built with them a program that perfectly fitted to our group (with people of different ages 11-60). Our five day safari brought us to Amboseli, Nakuru Lake and Masai Mara Nationals Parks and our fantastic guide Njinu made us see a lot of wild wonderful animals, included the big five! He could always find the best spots that made our experience unforgettable. The Sopa Lodges we chose were clean and comfortable, with a lot of services and pools.We strongly recommend MeekTrails if you’re thinking about going to Kenya to make a safari to discover african wikdlife! 🐆🐅🐘🦒🦏🐃

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lotharj970
November 21, 2024

A week we never will forget

First of all: a big Thank You to the whole team of Meek Trails. From the first contact with Diana until the last drop off at the hotel in Nairobi everything was perfect. Especially Philip: he was calm during driving, told us everything we should know about Africa, the animals, the plants and how to behave in Kenia. Everyday we felt that he was not only doing his job very well, but he was really loving the nature, the big animals and the small ones, specially the moorhens. He was patient, waited with us for the best moments, so we were very lucky to see all the animals we had hoped to see and were able to shoot beautiful photos. We saw the Big 5, the Ugliest 5 and many others and many birds. The days with Philip were full of seeing things and many laughters. The chosen hotels were all beautiful, the meals very good. At last: Thank you Meek Trails for that beautiful and unforgettable surprise at my birthday, when the whole team of the Zebra Camp and a Masai-Group were singing and dancing for me. Diana and Philip: Asante sani - we will miss you!