11 May 2026 — 9 min read
Season by season, park by park: what the weather actually does, where the animals go, and which months quietly offer the best value.
Kenya has two dry seasons and two wet ones, and every park responds differently. Choosing well is worth more than any amount of money spent on the camp.
The long dry: June to October
Grass is short, water is concentrated, and game viewing is at its most reliable everywhere in the country. The Mara has the migration; Amboseli has clear mountain mornings; Tsavo is at its most photogenic.
It is also peak season. Book nine to twelve months out for the Mara, and expect high-season supplements from 1 July.
The short dry: January to March
Hot, clear and much quieter. Cat sightings in the Mara are excellent, the light is hard and clean, and rates fall well below July levels. Our favourite months for photographers and second-time visitors.
The green seasons: April to May and November
Rain comes in short, heavy afternoon bursts rather than all-day drizzle. Landscapes turn green, birding peaks, newborn game is everywhere, and rates drop by thirty to forty per cent.
Some remote camps close in April and May. Roads in Tsavo and the Mara can be difficult. For value, and for travellers who do not mind a wet afternoon, it is the best-kept secret in the calendar.
