Visit Kenya

KENYA OVERVIEW

- Kenya -

Kenya is the birthplace of the world renowned African safari, literally. Meaning “journey” in Swahili, the word safari was first introduced to the English language in the 1850s by an intrepid adventurer called Sir Richard Francis Burton. Kenya’s mystical pull over the rest of the world has not diminished over the centuries since then.

It was Kenya we fell in love with while watching the classic movie “Out of Africa”, or when watching a lion cub called Elsa in “Born Free”. It was also Kenya that moved the Germans in the movie “The White Masai”, and Kenya which left the French tearing up after watching the heart-breaking “I Dreamed of Africa”.

No other country has generated so many travel dreams, or evoked so many pictures of the long bygone romantic area of great explorers and tented safaris.

True to its reputation, Kenya will offer its visitors a truly authentic African safari experience... just like it did generations ago. A safari in Kenya will allow you to experience the finest Africa has to offer, from spectacular safaris in magical landscapes to tribes draped in brightly coloured traditional garments, farming and living in a truly rural environment. In addition to the wildlife, culture and landscapes, Kenya also boasts several beach paradises where you can wind down after enjoying your safari of a lifetime.

Home to the legendary Masai Mara National Park as well as other world famous parks such as Amboselli and Lake Nakuru, Kenya is a perfect place to see the Big 5 in the wild. In Kenya you can also witness the Great Migration as it concludes its annual cycle on the Masai Mara. Beyond these iconic parks, Kenya has numerous extraordinary parks and conservancies, each offering their distinct highlights and activities.

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Whether it is lion tracking you are interested in (part of scientific research project at Ol Pejeta), black rhino tracking in Samburu, witnessing millions of flamingos descend on Lake Naivasha to transform the landscape with their deep pink foliage, or the intricate geological formations of Hell’s Gate (also called the Cradle of Humankind by archaeologists), there truly is something for everybody in Kenya.

If that wasn’t enough to tempt you, the warm, turquoise blue waters of the Indian Ocean lapping at the shores of long stretches of pristine white sandy beaches are what dreams are made of. Whether you prefer family friendly Mombasa, trendy and paradisiac Diani Beach or one of the remote and intimate small islands like Funzi or Lamu offering peaceful seclusion for honeymooners, you will never forget this perfect bush and beach combination.

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Each region is unique!

Click on the different regions below to find out more about the unique beauty each offers, and when the best time is to visit.

- Best time to go to Kenya -

Due to its position straddling the equator, Kenya has an extremely temperate climate. Day temperatures barely fluctuate and range from 21°C to 25°C / 70°F - 77°F degrees any time of the year. Naturally, this is dependent on elevation and Nairobi, up at 1660m, can have cool nights at 5°C, even though daytime temperature are lovely.

Nevertheless, each of Kenya’s beautiful parks has its own very distinctive seasonal highlights, which we discuss in depth in the regional tabs. However, for a quick overview, read below for the best time to go to Kenya.

Winter (June - September): The best time to go to Kenya is during the dry season from June to September. Winter is typically the dry season in most of Africa and Kenya is no exception. Days are sunny with clear blue skies and daytime temperatures remain very mild. We do, however, recommend you pack warm clothes for your safari game drives, as dawn and dusk – when you do the majority of our drives – are when you will notice the cold the most.

If you wish to witness the famed wildebeest migration, we recommend you plan your stay towards August or beginning of September, where the spectacular wildebeest river crossings take place. The East Coast and islands like Lamu and Funzi enjoy sunny and warm winter days, perfect for the ultimate beach holiday.

Summer (January - March): January to March are the true summer months and our second favourite time to go to Kenya. The average temperatures are around 25°C / 77°F, and rain is extremely rare. Summer is a favourite season for many safari and beach goers and a great alternative to winter for a beautiful beach and bush combo adventure. This is also a great time to go if you’re dreaming of swimming alongside gargantuan whale sharks.

Spring (November - December): Spring is typically the season of the short rains in Kenya. Rain is mostly contained to short late afternoon showers, so this does not truly impact your game viewing while on safari. Spring is a pleasant time at the coast as well, but if the beach stay is your imagined highlight, we recommend one of the drier seasons instead. Having said that, if you have always dreamed of an East African safari but you are on a tighter budget, spring would be our top recommendation. Rates are seasonal and spring offers very attractive rates and less tourists coupled with an incredible experience.

Autumn (April - May): At The Travel Cafe, autumn is our least favourite time for a visit to Kenya as it brings the long rains. While of course these rains are bitterly needed for both the flora and fauna to flourish, they will interfere with your safari and severely limit your enjoyment. The coast and island experience a monsoon season and many establishments close for the rainy season. If at all possible, we would recommend to rather avoid these two months.

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