When to go to Kenya: climate, temperatures and seasons?
Kenya is located in the equatorial belt of the African continent and its climate, influenced by monsoons from the Indian Ocean, is characterized by almost constant temperatures throughout the year. The climate is characterized by two rainy seasons, the big rains in the months from April to June and the small rains in November, and by two dry seasons, a longer one with milder temperatures from July to October and a shorter one with temperatures high from mid-December to March.
The rains usually occur in the form of showers or thunderstorms, often in the evening, which often leave room for the sun even during rainy periods. The months from July to October are the best time to witness the spectacle of the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras, which enter Kenya from the Serengeti to eat fresh grass.
Climate and seasons
Kenya is cut in two by the equator and has three different types of climate: hot and humid along the coast; temperate in the west and south-west where there are mountains, parks and plateaus; torrid in the northern part.
In general, February-March is the hottest period, July-August the coolest.
Based on the wind, the dry season is determined from October to March, when the hot winds coming from Arabia prevail, and the humid season from April to September with the cooler winds coming from the Indian Ocean. At the beginning of the two periods, rainfall is defined: the "season of long rains" from April to June, and the less intense "season of short rains" from October to December.
Precipitation, more abundant on the coast and in the south-west, occurs in the form of an afternoon or evening thunderstorm and is quite irregular.
Average temperatures and Precipitation
On the plateaus, the climate is mild and the temperature, as well as the rainfall, vary according to altitude and exposure.
In the capital Nairobi it is pleasant during the day, cool at night with maximum temperatures of 21/22 ° C from June to August and minimums of 10/11 ° C, while from January to March (warmest months) maximum temperatures of 25/26 ° C. and minimum on 12/14 degrees.
The rainy season is April-May and October-December and they come in the form of a downpour. The sunniest months are January and February.
The Masai Mara wildlife reserve, which is located at 1500 meters, does not have completely dry periods but the wettest month is April, the least July. Temperatures range from 25 to 28 degrees throughout the year, the minimum is 12 ° C.
The parks of the south-eastern area of Kenya are also hot and arid, but to a greater extent than the heart of the plateau: Amboseli National Park and Tsavo National Park have highs almost always above 30 ° C, the lows are on 20.
Kenya land of safari
