What To Expect On Kenya Safari During Dry Season

During the Kenya safari in the dry season, expect to find many wild animals the plains of different National Parks in the country in the dry season. The general climate of Kenya is humid and warm at the coast, cool and humid in central highland, hot and dry in the north and East. The dry season is normally June to September and December to February.

Most Popular Safaris

10 Day Rwanda Akagera and Kenya Coast Safari

15 Day Uganda Gorillas & Kenya Beaches

14 Day Uganda Sese, Mombasa, Watamu tour

4 Day Masai Mara Safari

8 Day Masai Mara Gorilla & Chimp Safari

11 Days Tanzania Great Migration & Zanzibar

10 Days Tanzania & Zanzibar Beach

10 Days Uganda Gorillas & Zanzibar

10 Days Rwanda Primate & Zanzibar

15 Days Kenya Wildlife & Zanzibar

The dry season is the peak tourism season in Kenya where more tourists are expected in the country. Kenya is a hot tourism spot in Africa on the bucket list of many adventure seekers. The Great wildebeest migration ends in Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya with River Mara crossing as the highlight of the entire experience. The peak moments of the great wildebeest migration are normally July to August.

Expect high competition for the logistics that support safaris in Kenya including accommodations, transport, driver guides, and others. Those who may book the safari in Kenya during the dry season which is the high tourism season may end up getting disappointed. 

In the game parks of Kenya, there are normally more vehicles on the tracks during the dry season, dusty environment, bumpy roads and game drives are done under the scotching sun.

Expect more tourists on the beach areas at the coast of Kenya when on tour in this country during the dry season. Kenya has many beach safari activities in Mombasa, Lamu and other spots on the shore, close or in the Indian ocean.

The cost of Kenya safaris in the dry season are normally high in the dry season across all packages. This is because of the high competition for Kenya Safaris across the country during this season.

Where to Go For Kenya safari in the dry season.

Masai Mara National Reserve

A safari to Masai Mara National Reserve in the dry season is on the top tier of destinations in Kenya. The Great Wildebeest Migration which starts from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is in high gear and gets closer to Masai Mara National Reserve during the dry season. The great wildebeest migration is one of the 8 natural wonders in the world

During the great wildebeest migration, multitudes of wild animals make there way from Serengeti National Park towards Masai Mara National Reserve but the time when they start this journey is still an assumption. The zebras are believed to be the masters of the starting time of the great Wildebeest migration but it is not confirmed

River Mara crossing is best witnessed on the side of Masai Mara National Park where multitudes of animals push there way across the river where they are savaged on by crocodiles and other predators. It is a bloody scene as animals especially the wearied are ripped apart. Struggle for the fittest comes to life on the Mara River crossing.

During the game drive in Masai Mara National Reserve, you may spot lions, cheetahs, waterbucks, bushbucks giraffes, cape buffaloes, hyenas, kudus, Oribi, elephants, elands, impalas, wildebeest, zebras and others. Beyond the Great wildebeest migration season in Masai Mara National Park, expect to see more animals traversing the park although they may not be so many. The game drives in Masai Mara are more rewarding when you start early morning before the animals meet there daily routine.

Masai Mara National Reserve hosts an array of birds that are residents of its great plains and the abundance of wild animals in the park influences the number of birds in the park too.

If you choose to do the Masai community visit, the dry season offers you better chances of engaging in there day today life. The Masai are conservative with there culture as nomadic pastoralists a culture they have held since time immemorial. The Masais live in Manyattas and as a community they offer protect to there cattle herds.

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is situated on the foothills of mountain Kilimanjaro which is an all year round glacier topped single mountain block. The best view of Mountain Kilimanjaro in case you wish to have it as part of your photography locations is in Amboseli National Park.

Locally, the word Amboseli means “a place of water” which is results from two clear water sources in the middle of the park that melts from the glacier top on mountain Kilimanjaro then sip through underlying rocks to collect in these water source.

In the dry season expect to see the shimmering dry lake-bed where a false mirage of populated horizons when the sun heats the endemic dust ash that was emitted from the Mountain Kilimanjaro so many years back.

A game drive in Amboseli National Park is an opportunity to find lions, leopards, elephants. Hyena, wildebeest, zebra, buffaloes, waterbucks, bushbucks an much more.

Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National Park is the closest National Park to the Nairobi city which is at a distance of about 7 kilometers. The border of Nairobi National Park is neighbored by Kitengela  Migration corridor and South Kapiti  plains where animals migrate from into the Park.

Most of the wild animals that are found in Nairobi National Park are seasonal except for the black Rhinos that are permanent residents. Most of the animals get into Nairobi National Park during the dry season as they seek new feeding grounds.

Tsavo East and West National Park

Visiting Tsavo East and West National Park are a wildlife spectacle and one of the oldest National Parks in Kenya. This park is one of the world’s best biodiversity safari destinations with a number wild animals. The presence of different habitants favors the existence of a number of wild animals some include bushy grassland, open plains, semi arid acacia scrubs, Woodlands, riverine banks and others.

The presence of the natural sites in Tsavo East and West National Park suitable as photography locations including  Mudanda Rock, Yatta plateaus  which is the largest lava flow can best be used in the dry season.

During the game drive in Tsavo East and West National Park expect to find lions, elephants, Waterbucks, bushbucks, giraffes, Impalas, elands and others.

Lake Nakuru National Park   

Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the ornithologists destinations in Kenya with multitudes of lesser flamingos that shade the shoreline of Lake Nakuru pink. During the dry season, the banks of Lake Nakuru are often flocked by other bird species too.

Lake Nakuru National Par is home to some game including black and white Rhinos, buffaloes, leopards, lions, impalas, dikdik, Chandler’s reedbucks, klipspringer, rocky hyrax, bushbucks and others. An array of birds and primates spend time in the forested areas of Lake Nakuru National Park.

Meru National Park

Game safaris in Meru National Park during the dry season are exceptional as this a rich destination. The environment of Meru National Park is still intact which is wild and beautiful. The Meru National Park is crossed by 13 rivers and several mountain fed streams. The river banks in the park are dotted with doum palms.

Even though Meru National Park suffered severe poaching, the dedication and vigilance of Kenya Wildlife Service has led to the recovery of the animal population in this park. During the game drive, you may find elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, bushbucks, impalas, elands and others.

More than 300 bird species have been recorded as residents on Meru National Park incuding Peter’s finfoot and are commonly seen around the River Murera and Ura.

Samburu and Bufalo Spring National Reserves

Choosing to do a Kenya safari in Samburu and Buffalo National Reserves is rewarding especially in the dry season. The tracks in the reserves are quicker to navigate and the environment in the park is beautiful. While in Samburu and Buffalo National Reserve you get the chance to enjoy the view of rounded, rugged hills and undulating plains.

The environment around the Samburu and Bufalo National Reserves has beautiful habitants which are a mixture of wood and grassland intertwined with riverine forest, swamp. These habitats are home to a wide range of birds, animals and others.

More than 365 bird species are present in Samburu and Bufalo spring National Reserves. During a game drive on the tracks of these parks, you may find Reticulated giraffes, Grevy Zebras, elephants, Oryx, Somali Ostriches, Cape buffaloes and others.

Kisite Marine National Park

Along the coast of Kenya and the Indian ocean is the kisite Marine National Park running 500 kilometers with some of the most colorful coral reefs gardens. During the dry season these coral reefs are quickly seen as the water level is shallow. By using a motor boat or traditional dhow from Shimon.

The corals at Kisite Marine National Park are estimated to be 3 to 4 kilometers long and run from Mpunguti island to Kisite’s tiny Islands.

Mombasa and Lamu Coastal areas

During the dry season, the coastal beaches on Kenyan coast provide conducive environment for a number of relaxing activities. While at the coast of Kenya, you may participate in sun bathing, sand beach walks, snorkeling, scuba diving, boat cruising, swimming, plan destination events including beach weddings and others.

Sports Fishing In Kenya

Anglers on a safari in Kenya can do sports fishing in the country in the Indian ocean or lake Victoria. Ensure to secure a fishing permit and carry your own fishing equipment. Hire a boat to use during the time on water and a boat captain. 

Some of the fresh water fish you may catch in Lake Victoria include tilapia, Nile perch, mud fish, catfish, lungfish and others.

Is a safari to Kenya in The Dry Season Worth the Time and Money

If Kenya is on your bucket list, the dry season is the perfect season for doing this African safari. The dry season provides better chances to see the great wildebeest migration in Masai Mara National Park. In the dry season, the coastal activities at Mombasa are more active.

Most of the safari destinations in Kenya favor tourists to engage in the activities in these spots during the dry season. Even though most Kenya safari destinations are visited by several tourists in the dry season, the more the merrier so you get to share this African adventure with others.

By paying park entrance fees at the Kenya National Parks or reserves, you contribute to the conservation fund of the country. Many wild animals in the Kenya National Parks and reserves suffered poaching but with the dedication from the Kenya Wildlife Service, these destinations are recovering.

What Are the Guidelines For A Safari In Kenya

• The main aim of the Kenya Wildlife Service is the preserve and protect the wildlife and there habitats. During the safari in Kenya, you must follow the guidelines given.
• Honor the speed limit while on game drive in the Kenya National game parks to prevent accidents on both the animals and the tourists. Driving off track is nor accepted unless with permission from Kenya Wildlife Service.
• Never disturb the wild animals by hooting at them as you may cause them to run away yet other tourists would like to have some moment with them just like you have. When you find them crossing stop and wait for them. Some of them may charge at you when you sound the vehicle horn which is dangerous.
• Donot cone with dogs or other pets into the park as chances of getting infection from the wild animals or the pet may happen which is quite dangerous to conservation.
• Keep all your litter in your car like plastic wraps as these alter the nature of the environment where these animals thrive.
• Carrying ammunitions in the park is not accepted because you may be triggered to use it and kill the wild animals or any one in your company.
• Never pick flowers or trample on the vegetation in the parks as you destroy the environment where animals thrive. Donot pack anything from the park but just take pictures while on safari and leave only vehicle tyre prints.
• Retain all official receipts for verification at exit so that you are not inconvenienced
• All the park gate are open from 0700 hrs to 1900 hours.

Contact us for more information.