The Great Migration, big cats on the plains, elephants beneath Kilimanjaro and the warm Indian Ocean — Kenya, where the safari was born.
Kenya is where the safari was born, and it remains Africa at its most iconic — a country of golden savannahs, snow-capped peaks, flamingo-pink lakes and palm-fringed Indian Ocean beaches. From the big cats of the Maasai Mara and the elephants of Amboseli beneath Kilimanjaro, to the rare northern species of Samburu and the coral reefs of the coast, Kenya offers the complete African journey in a single, accessible country. Quick Facts Capital Nairobi Best time to visit June to October and January to February Parks & reserves Over 50 national parks and reserves, plus…
Kenya is where the safari was born, and it remains Africa at its most iconic — a country of golden savannahs, snow-capped peaks, flamingo-pink lakes and palm-fringed Indian Ocean beaches. From the big cats of the Maasai Mara and the elephants of Amboseli beneath Kilimanjaro, to the rare northern species of Samburu and the coral reefs of the coast, Kenya offers the complete African journey in a single, accessible country.
Quick Facts
Capital
Nairobi
Best time to visit
June to October and January to February
Parks & reserves
Over 50 national parks and reserves, plus numerous community conservancies
Time difference
GMT+3
Currency
Kenyan Shilling
Population
Approximately 55 million (2024 estimate)
Why Visit Kenya
The Great Migration — From roughly July to October, the Maasai Mara hosts the climax of the Great Migration, as over a million wildebeest and zebra cross the Mara River in one of the planet’s greatest wildlife spectacles.
Big cats and the Big Five — Kenya is home to all of the Big Five and is renowned as the big-cat capital of Africa, with the Mara offering some of the finest lion, cheetah and leopard viewing anywhere.
Iconic landscapes — From the elephants of Amboseli framed by Kilimanjaro to the flamingos of the Rift Valley lakes and the red earth of Tsavo, Kenya’s scenery is unmistakable.
Culture — Kenya is home to more than 40 communities, and respectful encounters with the Maasai and Samburu offer a genuine window into enduring ways of life.
Safari and sea — Few countries combine a world-class safari so easily with a beach finale, from Diani and Watamu to the ancient Swahili island of Lamu.
Birding — With over 1,100 recorded species, Kenya is one of the world’s premier birding destinations.
ExperiencesGame drives, hot air balloon safaris over the Mara, walking safaris in the conservancies, night drives, cultural visits to Maasai and Samburu communities, birding, and Indian Ocean beaches, diving and dhow sailing.
The best time to visit Kenya
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
- Recommended
- Transitional
- Challenging conditions
Kenya is a year-round destination, with a warm, equatorial climate that varies more by altitude than by season. The dry seasons — June to October and January to February — are the most popular, offering superb game viewing and, in the Mara, the drama of the Great Migration. The wetter months bring lush green landscapes, lower rates and fewer visitors. The guide below shows what to expect month by month.
- January
- Warm, dry weather and excellent wildlife viewing across the parks; a lovely time in the Mara and Amboseli.
- February
- One of the driest, clearest months, with superb game viewing and strong big-cat sightings.
- March
- The long rains usually begin late in the month; early March is still dry and green, with fewer travellers.
- April
- The height of the long rains. Landscapes are lush and rates low, though some tracks can be difficult.
- May
- The long rains continue, the quietest and greenest time of year, with the best value.
- June
- The dry season returns and game viewing sharpens; the migration herds begin arriving in the Mara toward month’s end.
- July
- The Great Migration reaches the Maasai Mara, with the first dramatic river crossings; prime safari season.
- August
- Peak migration in the Mara, with frequent river crossings and outstanding predator action; a popular month, so book early.
- September
- Peak. The migration and river crossings continue, with clear skies and excellent all-round game viewing.
- October
- The last of the dry season and the migration; superb wildlife viewing before the short rains arrive.
- November
- Good. The short rains bring afternoon showers, green scenery, migratory birds and fewer visitors.
- December
- Peak. A drier spell returns by mid-month, bringing warm, festive-season sunshine ideal for safari.
Areas to visit
Kenya’s parks and reserves are the stage for the classic African safari. In the southwest, the legendary Maasai Mara delivers big cats and the Great Migration; to the south, Amboseli frames its elephant herds against Mount Kilimanjaro, while the vast wilderness of Tsavo East and Tsavo West stretches toward the coast. In the Rift Valley,…
Frequently asked questions
Kenya no longer issues traditional visas. Instead, every visitor, regardless of nationality, must apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before travelling, including infants and children. The application is straightforward and asks for your passport details, travel dates, and accommodation, and approval usually comes through within a few days, so we recommend applying at least a week ahead. As your operator, we guide you through the process and confirm your approval before departure, so you arrive with everything in order.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from, or have recently travelled through, a country where yellow fever is present. Anti-malarial medication is strongly recommended for most safari areas, and it is wise to be up to date on routine vaccinations. As we are not able to give medical advice, we always recommend consulting your doctor or a travel clinic four to six weeks before departure for guidance tailored to you, your health and your specific itinerary.
Absolutely, and it is one of Kenya’s greatest advantages over other safari destinations. A short domestic flight connects the inland parks with the Indian Ocean coast, where the white sands of Diani and Watamu and the ancient Swahili island of Lamu make for a perfect, restful finale after days on safari. We routinely craft journeys that pair the drama of the Maasai Mara or Amboseli with a few indulgent nights by the sea, all seamlessly arranged.
For game drives, bring lightweight clothing in neutral tones such as khaki, olive, and beige, along with warm layers for the cool early mornings and evenings, which can be surprisingly chilly at altitude. A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen, insect repellent, good binoculars, and a camera with a zoom lens will all earn their place. If you are adding a coastal stay, pack light resort wear and swimwear. We provide a detailed, tailored packing list for every journey, adjusted for the season and the specific places you’ll visit.
The Great Migration reaches Kenya’s Maasai Mara from roughly July to October, when more than a million wildebeest and zebra spill north from Tanzania’s Serengeti in search of fresh grazing. The highlight is the dramatic Mara River crossings, where the herds brave strong currents and waiting crocodiles — these are most frequently witnessed in August and September. Because timing shifts slightly each year with the rains, we plan Mara itineraries with flexibility and position you in the best sectors for crossings.
Exceptionally so. Kenya, and the Maasai Mara in particular, is widely regarded as the big-cat capital of Africa. The open plains make for superb lion viewing, often of large, well-studied prides, while the Mara and its conservancies offer some of the best cheetah and leopard sightings anywhere on the continent. The neighbouring private conservancies, where vehicle numbers are limited, allow especially close and uncrowded encounters — one of the many reasons we favour them for our guests.
Amboseli National Park, in Kenya’s south on the Tanzanian border, is world-famous for exactly this view: great herds of elephants moving across the plains with the snow-capped summit of Mount Kilimanjaro rising behind them. Amboseli’s elephants are among the most studied in the world and are remarkably relaxed around vehicles, allowing wonderfully close, respectful encounters. The mountain is clearest in the early morning and late afternoon, which is when we time your game drives for that iconic photograph.
Kenya is one of the best countries in Africa for rhinos. Lake Nakuru National Park is a fenced sanctuary protecting both black and white rhinos, while the Laikipia conservancies — above all Ol Pejeta, the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa offer outstanding sightings and are home to the world’s last two northern white rhinos under round-the-clock protection. These protected areas give you a genuine chance of seeing both species in a single visit.
The two dry seasons the long one from June to October and the short one in January and February offer the finest game viewing, as wildlife gathers around water and the vegetation thins. The June-to-October window also brings the Great Migration to the Maasai Mara. That said, Kenya rewards visitors year-round: the “green season” of the longer rains, from March to May, brings lush landscapes, newborn animals, excellent birding and far fewer visitors, along with lower rates a lovely time for those who don’t mind the occasional shower.
Kenya has one of Africa’s best domestic flight networks, with frequent scheduled and chartered services linking Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, Laikipia and the coast, turning what would be long drives into short, scenic hops and leaving more time for safari. Classic road safaris in a private 4x4 with a dedicated driver-guide remain a wonderful way to see the country up close, and the modern SGR railway links Nairobi with Mombasa. For the ultimate in comfort, we also arrange private helicopter and flying safaris, a signature of Scenic Luxury Vacation.
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