The hottest months are january and february when the average daytime range is 2433c 5291f with peaks of up to 40c104f in the far north. Eastern plateaus, the coast and the lake basin have two rainy seasons with the short rains coming from october to december and the long rains extending from march to june. The weather in kenya can very simply be divided into 2 categories when it is dry, and when it is rainy. The short rains season is not pronounced in the northern part of the coast see lamu, and its a bit more evident in malindi and mombasa, with some showers in. There is a second, shorter rainy season in november and december. Kenya is experiencing a new round of locust infestation following the onset of the long rain season, which has seen vegetation flourish, giving the insects a new lease of life. Best time to visit diani beach climate chart and table.
Asecondrainyperiodoccurs in the boreal fall over much of the region, although central and northern ethiopia has only one summer rainy season. Feb 21, 2017 in the 201617 short rainy season, a very severe drought has affected much of northern kenya and the klip policy has triggered drought payouts in 62 88% of the 70 insured units across the six counties, with total payouts valued at nearly ksh. Kenya, this renowned wildlife conservancy has some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing that kenya has to offer. Rainy season sees fresh locust invasion in kenya news ghana. Central kenya including nairobi and north western kenya are likely to experience slightly enhanced rainfall. Picking between the dry and the rainy season in ghana.
Kenya weather conditions temperature and climate in kenya. April to late may also known as the big rainy season. We hope youll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one. The climate in the northern frontier is less similar to other locations that you may visit during your wilderness safari in kenya. The short rains season is not pronounced in the northern part of the coast see lamu, and its a bit more evident in malindi and mombasa, with some showers in october and november, usually not intense. The winds also influence the countrys rainy seasons, the. In the semiarid horn of africa, rain comes in two seasons. Most locations receive more than 75% of their annual rainfall during this 7month period, with some parts in the northwest receiving more than 90% of their normal annual rainfall. What is the weather, climate and geography like in kenya. The wet season sometimes called the rainy season is the time of year when most of a regions average annual rainfall occurs.
Kenyas weather is dictated by monsoon winds, which help to make the high temperatures of the coast more bearable. The low season offers distinct advantages in east africas top destinations masai mara and serengeti. The northern and eastern shores of the country are washed by the caribbean sea, and the southwest by the pacific ocean. This period is characterized by the southwest monsoons, which rejuvenate the pasture land. While the rainy season is great for birdwatching in zambia, bad weather can make some roads impassable. First, season of long rains lasts from april to june and the other one, season of short showers, is between october and december. In the peak of the rainy season, most other parks, especially in the highlands and along the coast, can be problematic with regards to heat, humidity and. The main rainy season, referred to as the gu, lasts from april to june. During the wet season daytime temperatures are between 24c75f and 27c81f at higher altitudes.
Average temperatures range from 68 to 104 degrees fahrenheit 20 to 40 degrees celsius. Temperatures vary hugely with altitude and location, but its usually a fine, clear sky and sunny weather its a great time to visit. Kenya s weather is dictated by monsoon winds, which help to make the high temperatures of the coast more bearable. I have been told that this is the rainy season and that it will rain all month long,this is our first trip. Generally speaking, the north, northeast and east of kenya is arid, most of it very, while much of central kenya, some of the mid south borderlands, the coastal hinterlands and the coast proper north of malindi are semiarid. In kenya, this second season is termed the short rains. During november and december theres another rainy season.
Extensive flooding along the tana river in eastern kenya also left thousands homeless and caused extensive property damage. Swarms of locusts are ravaging crops in parts of northern kenya, central and breadbaskets in the. One of the most delightful rainy season discoveries is that its birthing time for many of the. The maasai mara, laikipia, and lewa areas are dropdead gorgeous at the end of the year. Since rainfall in diani during the rainy season usually starts in the afternoon and often even occurs at night, the southern coast of kenya is a real yearround destination. These months are fairly dry, although rain may occur locally. Severe drought gripped much of east africa when the rainy season in march through june produced very little rain. Generally speaking, the north, northeast and east of kenya is arid, most of it very, while much of central kenya, some of the mid south borderlands, the coastal hinterlands and. Climate prediction centers africa hazards outlook may 14.
First, season of long rains lasts from april to june and the other one. August the great migration fills the mara plains and schools out, so the park roads are full of. From december to march, northeast winds predominate north of the equator, while south to southeast winds dominate south of it. Apr 14, 2020 kenya is experiencing a new round of locust infestation following the onset of the long rain season, which has seen vegetation flourish, giving the insects a new lease of life. In kenya, the rainy and cold season tends to be when people get sick from colds and flu and there is fear the same might hold for coronavirus disease, also called covid19. Swarms of locusts are ravaging crops in parts of northern kenya, central and breadbaskets in the rift valley, putting the east african nation at risk of food scarcity at. Find out the best time to visit kenya with details on climate, seasons and events from audley specialists. The long dry season lasts throughout june, july, august, september and october is when rainfall is unusual, even on the islands. When is the best visiting time to go to masai mara in kenya. The winds determine the onset of kenyas two rainy seasons, with the hot northeast monsoon or kaskazi blowing dry air in from the persian gulf from november to. The winds also influence the countrys rainy seasons, the longest of which lasts from april to june.
May marks the cessation of the long rains season over several parts of the country except for the. In the far northwest, the two rainy seasons are practically connected, in fact, it rains even in january and february, when rainfall amounts to 100150 millimeters 46 inches per month depending on the area. If you want to really appreciate the country, its better to visit during the rainy season in ghana. The southern africa rainy season typically lasts from october to april and reaches maximum strength between november and march. The dry season extends from june to october, and the two rainy seasons are usually from. The masai mara offers great wildlife viewing throughout the year. Livestock raiding and rainfall variability in northern kenya carol r. Tanzania is situated very close to the equator, due to which the weather here is rather stable with a comfortable and well balanced climate.
Furthermore, some areas west of the rift valley experience one long rainy season. July kenyas cool season sets in, with the highlands sometimes rather grey, but wildebeest, migrating from the serengeti, start arriving in the maasai mara. Northern tanzania and kenya experience two rainy seasons. Swarms of locusts are ravaging crops in parts of northern kenya, central and breadbaskets in the rift valley, putting the east african. The rainy season in kenya is coming to an end in the middle of december. Since rainfall in diani during the rainy season usually starts in the afternoon and often even occurs at night, the southern coast of. From december to march, northeast winds predominate north of the equator, while south to southeast.
Nairobi and north western kenya are likely to experience slightly enhanced. The scenery is lush and emerald but that makes it a bit tougher to spot game. May marks the cessation of the long rains season over several parts of the. Safari destinations are greener and less crowded during these periods, while accommodation and tours are often cheaper if theyre operating. The country is crossed by equator so climate here is rather stable with minor seasonal changes.
The maasai mara, laikipia, and lewa areas are dropdead gorgeous at the end. Northern kenya is a fairly arid region with little rainfall and abundant sunshine year round. Where gorilla travel is concerned, keep in mind that bwindi national park is a rain forest at considerable elevation and can be wet and cool at any time of year. Straddling the equator, there is little yearround fluctuation in temperature. These months are the heavier rainy season, and road conditions can become difficult. Temperatures vary hugely with altitude and location, but its usually a fine, clear sky and sunny weather its a great time to visit tanzania. Seasonal climatic changes are controlled by the largescale pressure systems of the western indian ocean and adjacent landmasses.
In this area of the country the climate is very dry and arid, with high temperatures. And dont pay much attention to what folks are saying. It starts in december and stretches up to march, but the sand fog turns the air into a disaster. Two failed rainy seasons lead to drought in horn of africa. The term green season is also sometimes used as a euphemism by tourist authorities. Masai mara national reserve is an extraordinary wilderness travel destination in southwestern kenya that offers an ideal climate and exceptional yearround game viewing. In the peak of the rainy season, most other parks, especially in the highlands and along the coast, can be problematic with regards to heat, humidity and continuous rain. Overall, the northern parts of the country are a lot drier because of the proximity to sahara. The winds determine the onset of kenyas two rainy seasons, with the hot northeast monsoon or kaskazi blowing dry air in from the persian gulf from november to marchapril and the warm, moist kusi monsoon blowing in from the southeast from aprilmay to october. Janfeb is the calving season for wildebeest, zebra, and some hoofed species. Tanzanias weather rainy season in tanzania altezza travel. In southern ethiopia the second rainy season is keremt, and in southern somalia it is deyr.
Now, indonesia is a huge country, and, say, in northern sumatra, the rains usually start in october and last until january, while in the southern parts of the region, the pattern switches to novemberfebruary. The entire scope of the falls is best viewed at the end of the dry season september to november, when the water level is at its lowest. At the end of the first rainy season of 2009, satellite observations revealed that plant growthboth crops and natural vegetationacross kenya was significantly lower than normal, a harbinger of the unfolding disaster. Mature swarms are still over kenya, ethiopia, somalia and uganda. The average daytime temperatures remain quite comfortable while the nights are much cooler. The best time to go to kenya weather and climate expert africa. Ember, teferi abate adem and ian skoggard human relations area files at yale university. Set against the magnificent backdrop of snowcapped mt. I have no doubts about how the 300,000 inhabitants of the mandera triangle must feel. When is the best visiting time to go to northern frontier in kenya.
Climate prediction centers africa hazards outlook may 14 may. Theres great biological activity in the reserves, beautiful green landscapes and panoramas. Average daily high temperature is 84 degrees fahrenheit. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. In late 2010 and early 2011, both rainy seasons brought scant rain to the region, which led devastating drought across several countries in 2011. Uganda has a springlike climate year round and has a less obvious wet and dry season. The semiarid and arid regions of northern, northeastern, and southern kenya have high temperatures but very erratic precipitation.
Best time to visit kenya weather climate game viewing. The cool, dry season of may through august is recommended for gameviewing. When it comes to rain, the highlands of western kenya have one rainy season that spans from march to september. Northern kenya sees most of its heavy in rain during the short rains in november. I am going to kenya in may for 2 wks nayali and tsavoour travel agent recommended that we go in may so upon his recomendation we booked. In iringa, the climate is similar, but it is a bit cooler, since the city is located at 1,400 meters 4,600 feet above sea level, and therefore its never excessively hot, while it can be a bit cold at night, especially from may to september. Average daily high temperature is 73 degrees fahrenheit. However, it must be said that it depends on the year. The best time to go to kenya weather and climate expert. Rainy season kenya tanzania kenya lonely planet forum. The average daytime temperature is around 77 f 25 c from june to august while the. Kenya, on the other hand, has dry and rainy seasons.
Rainy season in kenya rainy season in maldives rainy season in mauritius rainy season in morocco rainy season in mozambique rainy season in nigeria. Best time to visit kenya climate guide audley travel. Lush and green in the rainy winter season, the stunning vistas are not the typical brown savanna scenery you might picture on safari. In the 201617 short rainy season, a very severe drought has affected much of northern kenya and the klip policy has triggered drought payouts in 62 88% of the 70 insured units across the six counties, with total payouts valued at nearly ksh. The best time to go on safari in africa by month the. If the rainy season starts the end of march, it can look like an average month, but the first.