Best Time of Year For Self-Drive Kenya, Car Rental Guide
Best Time of Year For Self-Drive Kenya; When you think of a self-drive tour in Kenya or guided safari to destinations like Maasai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park or any tourist destination, first, you must have idea of when best to get there.
Kenya by far is one of East Africa’s leading tourist destinations attracting all kinds of travelers who come to appreciate the country’s nature, spend quality time in the finest coastal beaches, witness the great wildebeest migration and also enjoy up close with the big five game in the wild.
With plenty awaiting for you to explore, this article provides deep insight into the best times of the year for a self-drive in Kenya. A self-drive in Kenya is an excellent way to explore the different places your way. The most preferred time to enjoy the best of a self-drive safari in Kenya is during the dry season/months; June, July, August, September to October.
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Best months to go on self-drive wildlife Tour in Kenya
If you enjoy African wildlife encounters, then consider traveling to Kenya from June to October. These the best dry months of the year to experience the most of game viewing on Kenya safari. If your target is to witness the wildebeest migration, then a visit to Maasai Mara Reserve should be from June, July, August to early September.
From October, the wildebeest move back to Serengeti National Park. It is during the migration season when Maasai Mara Reserve attracts huge numbers of guests. The high number of visitors is recorded across all parks in Kenya during the peak season/months of the year. This is because these months come with favorable weather conditions.
Guests in need to explore the big five game, July to October is the most preferred period. These months are characterized by low or no rains with vegetation remaining clearer and making it easier to spot diverse wildlife species including the elusive leopards.
Calving season
In case you miss the normal migration, at least do not leave Kenya without witnessing another spectacular moments –calving session of wildebeest. The calving session among wildebeests starts from January to February. The wildebeest migration pattern varies depending on the rains. From January to March, large herds of wildebeest concentrate around the Southern Serengeti National Park where you find fresh grass.
During calving months about 8,000 calves are born each day. The lives of the newborn can be at higher risk from the predators, especially cheetahs, leopards, lions, African wild dogs, Spotted hyenas and Black backed jackals.
Birding expedition in Kenya
Birding tours in Kenya are ideal all year round. But the most preferred months of the year are September to April. It is during these months of the year when several migratory birds can be spotted, especially of European and North African origin. This is a period when majority of the birds are nesting and also most referred to as the breeding season.
The preferred birding destinations in Kenya include Maasai Mara Reserve, Amboseli National Park, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru National Park and Baringo. The birds to likely encounter in Kenya include Rufous bellied heron, secretary bird, Usambiro barbet, African gray hornbill, Kori bustards and more.
Along the coastal areas, the likely birds to identify include the parasitic jaegers, Amani sunbird, crab-plovers, Aberdare cisticolas, grey-crested helmet-shrike, Hinde’s babblers, and others.
To conquer the great heights of Mt Kenya, the best time visit Kenya is around June to October, January to March. During these months, hikers are guaranteed of smooth hikes through the routes to the summits of Kenya Mountain. Heavy rains are recorded around April, May and November. With challenges revolving around climate change, it is hard to predict what can happen in the next period.
Visit per Months and Destinations
- June to October, January to February, all Kenya parks are open to guests.
- Peak months –June to October, December to March –places that record crowding include Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli National Park.
- Best months with best weather –June to October.
- Worst weather months –April, May also referred to as the peak water season.
What to pack for a Kenya safari?
The essentials for a successful Kenya tour include a sweater, a pair of socks, long-sleeved shirts, trousers, wide brimmed hat, rain jacket, camera, first aid kit, safari boosts or shoes and more.
