When Kenya’s Plains Come Alive: The Best Time to Visit the Savannah

As the dawn's early light illuminates the Savannah, giraffes stretch toward acacia trees and a lion’s lazy roar signals the pride’s awakening - it's a sight that captures the essence of Africa's wilderness.

Moments like these reveal why knowing the best time to visit Kenya can make your stay truly unforgettable.

From the snow-covered peaks of Mount Kenya to the lush forests of the Aberdare Range, the country is a landscape of poetic contrasts. Even Mount Kenya’s iconic snowcap, slowly shrinking due to climate change, reflects the land’s delicate balance. To feel Kenya at its most alive, you need only follow the rhythm of its seasons.

The long dry season runs from June to October, with another short dry spell in January-February. The dry season is typically considered the best time to visit Kenya for a safari. This is when wildebeests and zebras head north in the Great Migration, herds of elephants gather at waterholes, and the air hums with wildlife. It’s a scene that feels straight out of a movie. Yet the green season, as you’ll soon find out, offers a beauty all its own.

From June to October, Kenya enters a period celebrated by safari connoisseurs. Rainfall is minimal, skies are clear, and days are sunny and comfortable, with temperatures averaging around 25°C in most regions.

With grasslands becoming sparse, animals are drawn to the remaining water sources, making sightings easy and frequent during this time. You can catch lions basking in open clearings, elephants gathering in herds along riverbanks to sip water, and cheetahs stalking the plains for their next prey.

Between July and September, the Maasai Mara region becomes the centre point of one of the planet’s greatest natural spectacles - the Great Migration. Before exploring this marvel deeper, it’s worth understanding what makes this region so remarkable.

The Maasai Mara is named after the native Maasai people who have long called this land home. As Kenya’s premier wildlife reserve, its golden plains, acacia-dotted savannahs, and winding rivers provide the perfect grounds for predators and prey alike.

Every year, over a million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles pour into the Maasai Mara from Tanzania’s Serengeti, braving crocodile-filled rivers just to push towards greener lands. The sheer scale of movement, the tension, and the raw instinct of survival define this quintessential moment.

This beauty, however, draws many admirers. To ensure access to the finest camps and private conservancies, plan ahead - particularly in the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, and Laikipia regions, which you’ll soon discover in greater detail.

When the rains arrive, Kenya’s landscapes transform - a reminder that the best time to visit Kenya can be as much about serenity and renewal as it is about wildlife sightings.

The short rains (November-December) and long rains (March-May) usher in what locals call the green season. It’s a time of vibrant life and rejuvenation awaited by locals, the animals, and plantlife alike - and one cherished by the few travellers who seek Kenya in its quietest, greenest form.

While some roads can become muddy and animals are more dispersed throughout the land, this period has its own allure. The plains come alive in emerald tones, acacias burst in bloom, and newborn animals wobble beside their mothers.

It's an opportune time for photographers who want to capture nature's renewal and calm wilderness. It’s also a time for fewer travellers.

The green season may bring about rain, but it also ushers in a tranquil energy - one that invites you to slow down and connect with the land. There are fewer crowds, which means a more intimate, private safari experience. 

If you’re after a more contemplative time in nature - one defined by serenity and the rhythm of rain - the green season may be the best time to visit Kenya.

However, the long rains (March-May) can bring about heavy downpours, occasionally making some remote reserves harder to access due to muddy conditions. Many travellers opt for January-February or October-November, when the landscapes are lush, but conditions remain more favourable.

Whether you’re drawn to the golden light of the dry season or the soft patter of the rains, the best time to visit Kenya is ultimately subjective - it really depends on the pace and atmosphere you enjoy. To help you plan your trip, here’s how the year unfolds:

The period from January-February is a short dry spell before the heavy rains begin. Wildlife gathers at watering holes, vegetation is moderate, and skies for the most part are clear. The plains come alive with elephants and the promise of breathtaking views - as you’ll soon see in the celebrated Amboseli and Tsavo regions.

From March to May, the heaviest rains of the year arrive, transforming the landscape into a vibrant green. While some lodges close, others remain open and offer quiet, deeply immersive safaris. Perfect for photographers or solo travellers seeking tranquility.

June to October is the prime safari season. You’ll find comfortable temperatures, little rainfall, and exceptional wildlife sightings across all major parks. From July to September, the much-anticipated Great Migration takes place.

Showers refresh the plains from November to December, bringing vivid green scenery and fewer tourists. The light is soft, the air smells like rain, and wildlife is still present.

Beyond the Maasai Mara, Kenya unfolds in a tapestry of varied safari regions, each with its own rhythm and mood.

In the north, Laikipia is a vast region with several conservancies, offering a more intimate, exclusive setting. Here, you can encounter endangered black rhinos, lions, or cheetahs in a mosaic of rolling hills, forests, and semi-arid plains.

Amboseli National Park is known for its vast plains dotted with acacia trees and large herds of elephants, framed by a breathtaking backdrop of the snowcapped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. Located in southern Kenya near the Tanzanian border, it’s a place that feels like it’s lifted from a postcard.

Meanwhile, Tsavo National Park, one of Kenya’s largest and most diverse reserves, stretches across vast plains, volcanic hills, and iconic acacia-studded landscapes. Known for its legendary “red elephants” dusted in the park’s distinctive red soil, Tsavo offers a raw, untamed safari experience, where lions, leopards, giraffes, and rhinos roam across dramatic, open lands.

Nairobi National Park is another great option that's just a short drive from the city centre. It's a unique wildlife haven where lions, giraffes, zebras, and rhinos roam against the beautiful backdrop of Nairobi’s urban skyline. Its compact size makes it perfect for a half- or full-day safari.

While wildlife is Kenya’s greatest draw, the country offers so much more. The coastal regions, including Diani Beach, Watamu, and Lamu Island, are warm year-round. From November through March, you’ll get to experience calmer seas and excellent diving conditions along the coral reefs.

In the central highlands and Mount Kenya region, temperatures are cooler, particularly at night. This is where you can enjoy hiking and relaxing stays in scenic lodges overlooking forested slopes.

It’s also a great idea to combine regions or beaches when possible. And finally, for a comfortable trip, pack layers. Evenings and early mornings can be chilly - especially at higher altitudes.

The best time to visit Kenya for a safari is from June to October, during the long dry season. Wildlife is easiest to spot, the Great Migration occurs, and weather conditions are ideal for game drives.

A 5- to 10-day safari is ideal. This allows enough time to explore two or three parks, such as the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, and Tsavo, without feeling rushed.

The iconic Great Migration peaks from July to September, when wildebeest, gazelles, and zebra cross the Mara River. However, herds may start arriving as early as June depending on rainfall.

During the long dry season (June-October), expect warm days, cool mornings, and a little rain. Average daytime temperatures hover around 25°C, perfect for a great time outdoors.

Nairobi National Park is about 20-35 minutes from downtown, depending on traffic. Amboseli National Park, Tsavo, and Maasai Mara are a few hours' drive and further out, but are great for a weekend or 3-day trip. For more inspiration on where to explore in Nairobi with family or friends, this Nairobi itinerary is a considered blend of culture, nature, and local charm.

Elephants are easiest to spot in Amboseli and Tsavo during the long dry season (June-October), when they gather around water sources. Lions are active year-round, though sightings peak during the same season as prey flocks to the plains.