Quick answer
For the Great Migration, visit Kenya's Maasai Mara from mid-July to early October; Mara River crossings are most frequent in August and September. January and February are the other dry season, with good resident wildlife and lower park fees. Avoid April and May, when the long rains make tracks muddy and some camps close.
Month-by-month at a glance
- Jan28°Good
- Feb29°Good
- Mar28°Fair
- Apr26°Avoid
- May25°Fair
- Jun25°Good
- Jul24°Best
- Aug25°Best
- Sep27°Best
- Oct28°Good
- Nov26°Fair
- Dec27°Good
Kenya weather, crowds and what to expect
| Month | High / Low | Rain | Crowds | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryGood | 28° / 13° | 80 mm | medium | Short dry season; resident lions and cheetahs, lower park fee |
| FebruaryGood | 29° / 13° | 75 mm | medium | Hot and dry; herds are calving in Tanzania, not Kenya |
| MarchFair | 28° / 14° | 115 mm | low | Long rains usually begin late in the month |
| AprilAvoid | 26° / 14° | 190 mm | low | Peak rains, muddy tracks, some camps closed |
| MayFair | 25° / 13° | 120 mm | low | Green-season rates; rain easing by month end |
| JuneGood | 25° / 11° | 50 mm | medium | Dry season starts; good value before July peak rates |
| JulyBest | 24° / 10° | 40 mm | high | Herds arrive from the Serengeti; higher Mara fee from 1 July |
| AugustBest | 25° / 11° | 55 mm | high | Prime river-crossing month; lodges full, book months ahead |
| SeptemberBest | 27° / 11° | 55 mm | high | Crossings continue; dry, short grass, easy predator sightings |
| OctoberGood | 28° / 12° | 70 mm | medium | Herds still around early on, heading south by late month |
| NovemberFair | 26° / 13° | 120 mm | low | Short rains, usually afternoon showers |
| DecemberGood | 27° / 13° | 95 mm | high | Green and lively; Christmas brings family crowds |
Long-term monthly averages. Individual years vary — check a forecast in the week before you travel.
Festivals and events in Kenya
Roughly July to October
Great Migration in the Maasai Mara
Mara River crossings are most frequent in August and September, but never on a fixed date.
January to February
Wildebeest calving season
Happens in Tanzania's southern Serengeti, not in Kenya; plan a Tanzania safari for this.
Late June
Lewa Safari Marathon
A charity run through Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in northern Kenya.
November (dates vary)
Lamu Cultural Festival
Dhow races, Swahili music and crafts on Lamu island; confirm dates locally.
Diwali and Christmas weeks
Indian festive-season peak
Indian families fill Mara lodges; book four to six months ahead.
When is the best time to visit Kenya?
For the Great Migration, plan for mid-July to early October in the Maasai Mara. Over a million wildebeest, with zebra and gazelle, move from Tanzania's Serengeti into the Mara, and the dramatic Mara River crossings happen most often in August and September. This is also dry season: short grass, animals easy to spot, cool mornings around 10–12°C and warm afternoons in the mid-20s.
The catch is cost. From July to December the Maasai Mara National Reserve charges non-resident adults about USD 200 per person per day (roughly ₹17,600), against about USD 100 from January to June, at the time of review. Lodges charge peak rates too, and the best-placed camps near the river sell out months ahead.
Can you see the migration on a set date?
No. The migration follows rain and grass, not a calendar. Some years the first herds arrive in late June; other years in mid-July. River crossings can happen several times a day, or not at all for three days. A 3-night Mara stay gives you a fair chance; 4 nights is better if crossings are your main goal.
The other good months
January and February are the short dry season. The herds are calving in Tanzania, not Kenya, but the Mara's resident lions, cheetahs, elephants and leopards are still there, the park fee is lower and lodges are quieter. June is a strong value month: dry, green, and before peak rates at many properties.
When to avoid
April and May bring the long rains. Tracks get muddy, some camps close and the grass grows tall. Rates drop sharply, which suits photographers who don't mind the weather. November has short rains, usually afternoon showers.
| Months | What happens in the Mara |
|---|---|
| Jan–Feb | Dry, resident game, lower fees |
| Apr–May | Long rains, green-season deals |
| Jul–Oct | Migration, river crossings, peak fees |
| Nov | Short rains |
Diwali and Christmas weeks fill quickly with Indian families. If those are your only dates, book lodges four to six months ahead.
You need a Kenya eTA before flying; see our Kenya visa guide. Then read things to do in Kenya, the Kenya safari cost breakdown and our vegetarian food guide to Kenya.
Frequently asked questions
What month is best to see the Great Migration river crossings?
Is it worth visiting Kenya in the rainy season?
How much is the Maasai Mara park fee?
Is December a good time for a Kenya safari?
Where is the migration from January to June?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
