At Safiri Kenya, we always insist that you need to plan your travel. We have nothing against spontaneous adventure. Sometimes it can even be what the doctor ordered. More often than not, it ends up being a regrettably expensive affair at all levels. A critical element to consider when planning your safari is the travel season. In Kenya, there are four travel seasons. Keep reading to find out what they are and how you can use them to have an unforgettable experience.

High Season

The high travel season in Kenya starts in January and ends in March. Suppose you are planning a safari with the end game of spotting the diversity of Kenya’s wildlife. In that case, this is the season to plan your safari. During this time, the short rains have just ended and sunny days abound. The animals begin to disperse over sizable areas searching for waterholes. Because of this movement, wildlife is more effortless to spot. For birdwatchers, February in the Maasai Mara and Laikipia is an excellent time to go bird viewing. Expect to pay more during this season though!

Low Season

The high season paves the way for the low travel season between April and May. Bursts of tropical rain become somewhat unpredictable for safari game viewing at this point. However, the long rains leave behind a trail of beautiful scenery and an opportunity to spot a plethora of flora. It is also the season to cash-in on the low rates while enjoying some destination exclusivity as tourist numbers dip.

Peak Season

Come June, all the way to September, and the peak travel season arrives with months of dry, hot days. The season of the Big Five is finally here. A Game Drive to either Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Samburu, Maasai Mara, Tsavo, Meru, Laikipia, the Aberdares and Mount Kenya will almost guarantee you a place in the front seat of the great African Safari experience. One of the world’s famous wildlife spectacle during this time, the Wildebeest Migration, has begun.

Unbelievably large herds of wildebeest, gazelles and zebras migrate from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara. The scene, as they swim across the crocodile-infested Mara River, offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to capture the true essence of the wild side of Kenya. Because the peak season is the best time to experience Kenya fully, it is also the busiest time to visit so expect prices to be higher.

Shoulder Season

As the peak season with all its glitz exits, Kenya enters the shoulder travel season from October to December. You might be right also to call it the season of rebirth. Migratory birds start arriving from Europe as newborn animals emerge. By this time, the short rains have triggered a fresh dose of life as the parks and reserves transform into green havens once more. The showers in this season are not too disruptive. As a matter of fact, they provide an excellent opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in coolness after a peak season of hot days. If you desire a holiday that is not too costly and not too wet, this is the season to do it. With the dropping tourist numbers, shoulder season packages tend to be relatively cheaper.

There you go! The four seasons to plan a holiday around in Kenya. Each has its unique strengths. So at this point, I hope you realise it is not when to go or when not to go but rather how to maximise your experience in each travel season. Afterall do they not say Kenya is a travel destination for all seasons?