Kenya Safaris

Explore Laikipia plateau by horseback, fish for catfish, barble, and tilapia, and shop for traditional crafts and jewelry in a Masai village. Get up-close with Kenya’s abundant wildlife, including rhino, zebra, wildebeest, elephant, and giraffe. Savor Kenya’s fine regional cuisine and a sundowner before calling it a night in the comfort of a luxurious tent camp or nature based lodge. Three nights at the Meru Camp, a premier tent camp situated in the Bisanandi Reserve just outside of Meru National Park. Enjoy a delicious meal and relax poolside before heading out on your big game drives in the cool of the afternoon. Visit Rhino Sanctuary to spot some of the 60 black and white rhinos that call this place home. Head up to the Sosian Ranch in a 4×4 land cruiser through the pretty Nyambene Hills, onto the footslopes of Mt. Kenya before driving back down onto the awe-inspiring Laikipia Plateau. Join Austin Adventures on a luxury safari in Kenya and discover how these incredible journeys began here.

When is the Best Time to Visit Kenya?

Best Time to Travel

Kenya, like many of its neighbors in Africa, has two seasons: a wet and dry season. The temperature does not fluctuate much at all during the year so it’s mostly precipitation and location that you’ll want to consider prior to booking your trip to Kenya. If you’re traveling to the coast, expect more precipitation and higher temperatures and humidity. As you move into the interior of the country, you’ll experience less precipitation and if you’re at higher elevations, a wider range in temperatures. In fact, if you’re on the top of Mount Kenya, you can expect to see snow year round. Since you’re much more likely to be visiting Masai Mara than the mountains, below are a few things to keep in mind about each of Kenya’s seasons and how they pertain to seeing wildlife.

Dry Season (June – October)

If your goal is to see lots of wildlife, these months are the best time to visit Kenya. During these months, there is less precipitation and animals gather at sources of water. Because there is less vegetation, it’s also a lot easier to spot the animals. If you’re hoping to see the migration of wildebeest, you’ll want to visit in August or September. Keep in mind though that during this season, which is high season, rates are often higher and the parks can be pretty crowded. The average daily high temperature in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city, in June is 70°F while the average daily low temperature is 54°F. By October, temperatures have warmed up, but not by much. The average daily high is 75°F while the average daily low is 55°F.

Wet Season (November – May)

There are several pros to traveling during Kenya’s wet season. They include encountering lower prices, greener and lusher scenery, baby animals and many different breeds of migratory birds. The cons of traveling during Kenya’s wet season obviously include rain continuous showers from March through May and shorter, afternoon showers during the other months. Several outfitters do not operate during the latter part of the wet season so keep that in mind too. In February (Nairobi’s warmest month), the average daily high temperature is 79°F while the average daily low temperature is 55°F. By May, things have cooled down to an average daily high of 72°F while the average daily low is 55°F.

WHAT TO PACK FOR A TRIP TO KENYA

As with all international trips, it’s essential that you have all of your paperwork handy. And make copies! These will prevent you from having a major panic attack if you can’t find your passport or visa because having copies makes it a lot easier to get replacements. Also, try to pack as lightly as possible and if you can, use soft-sided luggage that is easier to stow in cargo spaces on small planes and vehicles.

1. Hair Accessories and a Hat

While our guests stay at some of Kenya’s nicest properties, many camps and lodges use generators that run for a limited number of hours each day. That means that it’s best to leave your styling tools at home and instead, rely on a hat or ponytail for keeping your locks at bay.

2. Bandana or Buff

This kind of falls into the above category, but it’s a good idea to bring a bandana or a buff which is basically a piece of “performance headwear” that you can wear around your neck or on your head. The options are endless, but a buff is great for those dusty jeep rides and for keeping sweat or moisture out of your eyes. They come in a variety of colors and patterns and even if you’re not using them for wind, sand, water or sun protection, they look great as headbands!

3. Camera Equipment

Most people come to Kenya for the wildlife, and since the only thing you can bring home with you are pictures, you’ll want to make sure you get the best shots possible. Buy, borrow or rent a large lens (if you don’t already have one), and we also recommend packing a USB port or external hard drive for additional storage.

TRAVEL TIPS FOR KENYA

Kenya is the birthplace of safari and our Kenya: Nairobi to Masai Mara is one of our most popular adventure vacations in Africa. Even if you don’t get the chance to discover this incredible country with our Kenyan guides, we’re happy to share a few tips that will hopefully enhance your trip for the better.

1. Say You’ve Had Drink While Straddling the Equator

One of Kenya’s most famous resorts is the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club which is home to a lounge, Zebar,which literally straddles both sides of the Equator. (Note: our guests stay here on Day 3 of our trip.) Sit back and enjoy a cocktail and some snacks while admiring Zebar’s views of the resort’s gardens and Mount Kenya.

2. Knowing Swahili Can Save You Money

If you plan on doing some souvenir shopping in the Kenyan markets, it helps to know a few words in the local language, Swahili. This enables you to be a better barterer – and bartering is common in Kenyan markets – and it also wins you brownie points with the locals and merchants who appreciate the extra effort you put forth into embracing their culture.

3. Safari from the Sky

Don’t think that the only way to do a safari is by jeep. Although that’s a great method of transportation, we also offer our guests the unique opportunity to take a hot air balloon ride above Masai Mara National Reserve. It may cost extra, but it gives you an entirely different perspective that not many safari-goers can say they’ve had!

Kenya Seasons & Climate

Kenya boasts one of the best climates on the continent. It is comfortable and pleasant during the day, with variations in temperature due to altitude and terrain. We offer safaris year round, and travelers who leave conventional wisdom unheeded by making their trip during the rains of November, April or May will almost certainly be treated to unexpected and exciting wildlife experiences, un-crowded game reserves and probably a good deal of sunshine. It can rain during any month. In recent times, changing global weather patterns make transitions between rainy and dry seasons come and go unpredictably. The following are the typical seasonal highlights:

December– February
This is the hot dry season. Excellent for birds and animal viewing, though long grass may make some smaller species hard to see. Jan-Feb is the calving season for wildebeest, zebra, and some hoofed species. Average daily high temperature is 84 degrees Fahrenheit.

March
Intermittent rains start at this time. Game viewing is excellent over short new grass of the plains. Spring-like conditions are moderated by cool nights. Average daily high temperature is 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

April – May
These months are the heavier rainy season, and road conditions can become difficult. There’s great biological activity in the reserves, beautiful green landscapes and panoramas. Average daily high temperature is 73 degrees Fahrenheit.

June – October
This is the cooler dry season. Peak tourist season is July-August. Excellent viewing conditions, though many roads are dusty. Wildebeest are normally encountered in the Maasai Mara in large numbers in late July through October. Good time of year for climbing Mt. Kenya. Average daily high temperature is 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

November
Here begin the short rains. There’s nice greening of plants, and birds begin arriving from Eurasia. Expect intermittent showers and some flash flooding. Wildebeest are migrating south out of the Maasai Mara at this time. Average daily high temperature is 77 degrees Fahrenheit.