Destination: Kenya
LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK INFORMATION
When to Go
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There are a number of factors to take into account when considering what time of year to visit Kenya. The main tourist season is January and February, when the weather is generally considered to be the best – hot and dry. It’s also when you’ll find the largest concentrations of birdlife on the Rift Valley lakes. At this time, the animals in the wildlife parks tend to congregate more around the watercourses as other sources dry up, making them easier to spot. However, the parks can get crowded and rates for accommodation go through the roof. Avoid Christmas and Easter unless you want to pay a fortune.
June to October could be called the ‘shoulder season’, as the weather is still dry. During this period the annual wildebeest migration takes place, with thousands of animals streaming into the Masai Mara National Reserve from the Serengeti in July and October.
During the long rains (the low season, from March to the end of May) things are much quieter, and you can get some good deals; this is also true during the short rains from October to December. The rains generally don’t affect your ability to get around unless you’re right out in the sticks (although Amboseli National Park can be flooded); it’s just that you may get rained on, especially in the Central Highlands and western Kenya.
If you’re planning to visit Lamu, you might want to time your visit to coincide with the centuries-old Maulid Festival.
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