Plan your trip
There is no bad month for a safari, only a different one. Here is how the seasons shape wildlife, weather, crowds and price.
Wildlife and migration
July to October
Dry weather, animals at the rivers, and the Mara river crossings.
Quiet, green and good value
March to May, and November
Fewer vehicles, lower rates and lush scenery. Expect some rain.
Clear skies and calving
January to February
Dry weather, Serengeti calving and the best Kilimanjaro views from Amboseli.
At a glance
A general guide to conditions and wildlife. Weather varies from year to year, so treat the edges of each season as flexible.
| Destination | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maasai MaraRiver crossings Jul to Oct | Good, Jan, Maasai Mara | Good, Feb, Maasai Mara | Wet, Mar, Maasai Mara | Wet, Apr, Maasai Mara | Wet, May, Maasai Mara | Good, Jun, Maasai Mara | Best, Jul, Maasai Mara | Best, Aug, Maasai Mara | Best, Sep, Maasai Mara | Best, Oct, Maasai Mara | Mixed, Nov, Maasai Mara | Mixed, Dec, Maasai Mara |
| SerengetiCalving Jan to Feb, crossings Jun to Oct | Good, Jan, Serengeti | Best, Feb, Serengeti | Wet, Mar, Serengeti | Wet, Apr, Serengeti | Wet, May, Serengeti | Good, Jun, Serengeti | Best, Jul, Serengeti | Best, Aug, Serengeti | Best, Sep, Serengeti | Best, Oct, Serengeti | Mixed, Nov, Serengeti | Mixed, Dec, Serengeti |
| AmboseliClearest Kilimanjaro views | Good, Jan, Amboseli | Good, Feb, Amboseli | Wet, Mar, Amboseli | Wet, Apr, Amboseli | Wet, May, Amboseli | Best, Jun, Amboseli | Best, Jul, Amboseli | Best, Aug, Amboseli | Best, Sep, Amboseli | Best, Oct, Amboseli | Mixed, Nov, Amboseli | Mixed, Dec, Amboseli |
| Kenyan coastDiani and Mombasa beaches | Good, Jan, Kenyan coast | Good, Feb, Kenyan coast | Mixed, Mar, Kenyan coast | Wet, Apr, Kenyan coast | Wet, May, Kenyan coast | Good, Jun, Kenyan coast | Best, Jul, Kenyan coast | Best, Aug, Kenyan coast | Best, Sep, Kenyan coast | Best, Oct, Kenyan coast | Mixed, Nov, Kenyan coast | Good, Dec, Kenyan coast |
| ZanzibarDive best Dec to Jan | Good, Jan, Zanzibar | Good, Feb, Zanzibar | Wet, Mar, Zanzibar | Wet, Apr, Zanzibar | Wet, May, Zanzibar | Best, Jun, Zanzibar | Best, Jul, Zanzibar | Best, Aug, Zanzibar | Best, Sep, Zanzibar | Best, Oct, Zanzibar | Mixed, Nov, Zanzibar | Good, Dec, Zanzibar |
Swipe sideways on a phone to see every month. Kenya has two rainy seasons, the long rains from March to May and the short rains in November and December.
Season by season
January to February
A short dry spell between the two rainy seasons. In the southern Serengeti the wildebeest calve from late January into February, which draws predators. Amboseli and Mount Kenya are clear, and Zanzibar’s diving is at its best from December.
March to May
Afternoon downpours, lush scenery and the lowest rates of the year. Some roads in the Mara turn tricky, and on Zanzibar April and May are the wettest beach months. It suits travellers who value quiet camps and value over guaranteed sunshine.
June to October
Dry and sunny, with wildlife gathered at rivers and waterholes. July to October is the best window for the wildebeest river crossings, and August and September are the peak in the Mara. Expect the busiest parks and the highest prices.
November to December
Brief showers, green hills and newborn animals. Most rain falls in the afternoon and rarely stops a game drive. Birdlife is excellent, crowds are thin, and December brings festive-season demand to the coast.
Choose by moment
If you already know the experience you are after, this tells you when to go and where to look.
July to October
The Mara River crossings are best from July to October, with August and September the peak. Book early, because camps near the river fill first.
Maasai Mara safaris
Late January to February
Calving takes place in the southern Serengeti, and predators follow. It is one of the best times for dramatic wildlife action away from the July to October crowds.
Serengeti safaris
June to October, and January to February
Amboseli is at its clearest in the dry months, when the mountain often shows itself at sunrise and elephants cross open plains in front of it.
Amboseli safaris
June to October, and December to February
Zanzibar is driest and sunniest from June to October. December and January suit diving and snorkelling, though February and March turn hot and humid.
Zanzibar packages
November to May
Migrant birds arrive with the rains and the land turns green. Lake Nakuru and the Rift Valley lakes are at their most colourful.
Domestic Kenya getaways
All year
Gorilla treks in Rwanda run all year. The drier months make the hillside trails easier, permits are US$1,500 per person, and they sell out early.
Rwanda packagesTiming and cost
Park fees and camp rates move with the season. The Maasai Mara National Reserve, run by Narok County Government, charges non-resident adults US$100 a day from January to June and US$200 a day from July to December 2026. Children aged 9 to 17 pay US$50, and under-8s enter free. A ticket covers about 12 hours, so a full 24 hours in the reserve needs two.
Camps and lodges also price by season, and the cheapest months are usually April and May. That is the trade-off to weigh: lower rates and fewer vehicles against heavier rain and some slower roads.
Fees are set by park authorities and can change, so ask us to confirm the current figure when you request a quote.
Last reviewed September 2026.
Rules and fees change. Check the official page before you travel, and we will confirm the current figures in your quote.
Tell us your dates, group and budget. We will come back with a tailored quote. No payment is needed to ask.
