Kenya Climate: When is the best time to visit Kenya

Kenya climate varies across the country, from the tropical humidity of the coast, the dry heat of the savannah or semi-arid areas and the cool air of the highlands. Temperatures in these areas are fairly constant year round with an average of 27°C (80°F) at the coast, 21°C to 27°C (70°F to 80°F) in the hinterland, while in Nairobi and the highlands over 5,000 ft, the daytime temperatures normally range between 19°C and 24°C (66°F to 75°F).

Most parts of the country experience two rainy seasons. ‘Long rains’ falls over a ten week period between April and June, whereas the ‘short rains’ over a five week period between November and December. The rain tends to fall mainly at night and is usually a short and heavy tropical downpour.

Rain may occasionally fall outside of the normal rainy seasons. In the highland areas north of Nairobi it may get chilly at night or in the early mornings – especially June, July, August when temperatures are cooler – so it is recommended that visitors pack some items of warm clothing.

Average Monthly Temperatures – Kenya

Planning a Kenya safari?

See our Top Recommended Safaris for great suggestions for safari itineraries combining some of the best game-filled National Parks and wildlife reserves in Kenya.

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Respecting wildlife When Staying at Camps/Lodges

Important Wildlife Safety Tips:The wild animals are not like those found in theme parks – they aren’t tame. Most of the safari camps are unfenced and dangerous animals can (and do!) wander through the camps. Many of the animals and reptiles you will see are potentially dangerous. Attacks by wild animals are rare. However, there are no guarantees that such incidents will not occur. None of the Wilderness Safaris group of companies, their staff members, associates, agents, or their suppliers can be held liable for any injuries caused during an incident involving the behaviour of wild animals.

Observe the Following wildlife Safety precautions if Possible:

• Please listen to the camp staff and guides. The wildlife safety precautions need to be taken seriously, and strictly adhered to. Don’t go wandering off on your own without a guide – even to your rooms. After retiring to your rooms at night, don’t leave them.
• Observe animals silently and with a minimum of disturbance to their natural activities. Loud talking on game drives can frighten the animals away.
• Never attempt to attract an animal’s attention. Don’t imitate animal sounds, clap your hands, pound the vehicle or throw objects.
• Please respect your driver-guide’s judgment about proximity to lions, cheetahs and leopards.
• Don’t insist that he take the vehicle closer so you can get a better photograph. A vehicle driven too close can hinder a hunt or cause animals to abandon a hard-earned meal.
• Litter tossed on the ground can choke or poison animals and birds and is unsightly.
• Never attempt to feed or approach any wild animal on foot. This is especially important near lodges or in campsites where animals may have become accustomed to human visitors.
• Refrain from smoking on game drives. The dry African bush ignites very easily, and a flash fire can kill animals.

WALKING IN PARKS AND RESERVES;

You will walk where possible but this is often determined by the local area and country regulations.

NOTE: Walking is at your own risk as these walks can take you close to dangerous wild animals.

The following are some guidelines you should follow while on a safari:

Bush vegetation is extremely sensitive. Off-road driving causes erosion and encourages the encroachment of unwanted plant species. Observe the animals silently and with a minimum of disturbance to their natural activities. Loud talking on game drives can frighten the animals away.

Night drives with excessive use of spotlights disrupt the activities of nocturnal animals causing temporary blindness and disorientation. Never tease or corner wild animals, this may cause an unpredictable response and a potentially dangerous reaction.

Do not remove any natural material from wildlife reserves. This disrupts the ecology of the area and promotes the spreading of diseases amongst domestic animals and crops. Never attempt to attract an animal’s attention. Don’t imitate animal sounds, clap your hands, pound the vehicle or throw objects.

Please respect your driver / guide’s judgment about your proximity to certain wild animals. Don’t insist that he take the vehicle closer so you can get a better photograph. A vehicle driven too close can hinder a hunt, or cause animals to abandon a hard-earned meal.

Remember that your guide is an expert, so always follow his advice and ask him questions if you are unsure of anything. Never sleep outside. Take only photographs and memories with you.

Litter tossed on the ground can choke or poison animals and birds and is unsightly. Refrain from smoking on game drives. The dry African bush ignites very easily, and a flash fire can kill many animals.

Never attempt to feed or approach any wild animal on foot. This is especially important near lodges or in campsites where animals may have become accustomed to human visitors.

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Kenya Birding safaris – Bird tours in Kenya

There are 1,010 bird species recorded in Kenya. They are scattered all throughout the vast and diverse habitats found in the country– rivers, forests, shorelines, grasslands, marshes, and mountains. All of these Kenya Birding safaris combined make up the largest number of bird species in the world.

The following are some of the biggest, most popular, and amazing Kenya Birding safaris locations in Kenya:

Tsavo East – Kenya Birding safaris

Throughout the year, the species that are often spotted in this part of Kenya are: Golden-Bellied Starling, Fisher’s Sparrowlark, Hunters Sunbird, Kori Bustard, Taita Fiscal, Tawny Eagle, Red-Bulled Hornbill, White-Backed Vultures, D’Naurd’s Barbet, Rosy-Patched Bush Shrike, African Grey Hornbill, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Spotted-Eagle Owl, Spot-Flanked Barbet, Whalberg’s Eagle, Long-Billed Pipit, Bateleur Eagle, and Red & Yellow Barbet.             

Tsavo West/Lake Jipe

The species found in this region include: Hilderbrand’s Francolin, White-Headed Vulture, Crested Guinea Fowl, Broad-Billed Roller, Brown-Breasted Parrot, Variable Sunbird, Crowned Hornbill, Gabar Goshawk, Southern Banded Snake Eagle, Golden-Winged Starling, Black-Faced Sandgrouse, Green Woodhoopoe, Taveta Golden Weaver, Giant Kingfisher, and Common Ostrich.

Amboseli

The following birds usually lurk in this area: Blacksmith Plover, Black-Shouldered Kite, Great White Egret, Lizard Buzard, Wattled Plover, Egyptian Plover, Eurasian Roller, Sadle-Billled Stork, Tawny Eagle, and Verreaux’s Eagle.

Lake Nakuru – Kenya Birding safaris

Birds to be seen are: Tawny Eagle, Red-Billed Oxpecker, Red-chested Cuckoo, Verreaux’sEagle, Open-Billed Stork, Red& Yellow Barbet, Ant-eating Chat, Rupell’s Starling, Lesser Flamingo, African Fish Eagle, Golden-Winged Sunbird, Greater Cormorant, Two-Banded Courser, African Cuckoo, Hooded Vulture, African Darter, Spurwing Goose, Yellow-Billed Stork, Knod-Billed Duck, Greater Pelican, and Sooty Chat.

Masai Mara – Kenya Birding safaris

Here are the species highlighted in this region: Little Bee-eater, White Stork, Hartlaub’sTuracco, Rupell’s Starling, Slate-colouredBoubou, Yellow-mantled Bishop, Heuglin’s Courser, Black-bellied Bustard, Jackson’sWidowbird, Greater & Lesser Kestrel, Eurasian Hooby, and Two-banded Couser.

Mt. Kenya

These are the birds that dwell in this mountain: Great-Crested Grebe, ParadiseFlycatcher, Tacaze Sunbird,  Little Grebe, Fulvous Ducks, BaglafetchWeaver, RossTuraco, Kikuyu White Eye, CabanisGreenbul, AfricanFinfoot, White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher, and Hamerkop.

Arabuko Sokoke Forest

This forest is a home to these bird species: African Hawk Eagle, SokokeScops Owl, Dark-Backed Weaver, Amani Sunbird, East CoastAkalat, Nicator, Retz’s Reb-billed Helmet Shrike, Marshal Eagle, Narina Trogon, Bue-mantled Flycatcher, Thick-billed Cuckoo, Clarke’s Weaver, Ayre’s Hawk Eagle, and Crowned Eagle.

Mida Creek & Sabaki River-Mouth

Nestled in this safari are: Bar-tail Godwit, Eurasian Curlew, Roseate Tern, Curlew Sandpiper, Mongolian Sandplover, Osprey, Sooty Gull, Sanderling, Avocet, Lesser Flamingo & Greater Flamingo, Crab Plover, Black-backed Gull, Madagascar & Colared Pratincole, African Skimer, Whimbrel, Saunder’s Tern, and Gull-billed Tern.

Nairobi

The bird population in this Kenya Birding safaris is an astounding 400 species. This number increases between the months of March to May when migratory birds from Europe visit the park. Enjoy watching the Marabou Storks, Vultures, Hawk Eagles, as well as the magnificent Secretary Birds, Kori Buster, Ostrich, Crowned crane and Jackson’s widow. This place sure is a haven for bird lovers.

Kakamega

The Kakamega park, considered one of the most important birds area in the country is home to more than 330 bird species.  Birds that can be seen only in this natural reserve and in nearby south Nandi Forest in the entire East Africa are: Eremomela, Ansoger’s Greenbul, Turners, and the Blue headed Bee-eater.

Other species that can be spotted in Kakamega and neighboring forests in the western part of Kenya include: Petit’s cuckoo-shrike, Jameso’s and yellow-bellied wattle-eye, Red -bellied paradise flycatcher, Cassin’s  honey guide, Chestnut, , Southern Hyliota, Africa shrike flycatcher, Black-billiedturaco, and the white-tailed Ant-thrush.

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