BEST TIME TO VISIT MOUNT KENYA FOR A CENTRAL KENYA SAFARI

The weather at Mount Kenya National Park consistently offers guests a unique African highlands safari experience at any time of year. Average daytime high temperatures range from 68 F (20 C) in July and August to 80 F (27 C) degrees in January and February. After sunset, temperatures drop to 45 F (7 C) to 52 F (11 C) degrees depending on the month when you travel with cooler night months being December to February, unusual compared to other parts of Kenya when it is cooler at night from June to September.

With relatively moderate temperatures year-round, the one climatic condition that has the greatest impact on your personalized AfricanMecca trip to Mount Kenya Park is rainfall. Like other locations in Kenya, the park experiences two dry seasons and two rainy seasons, and the presence or absence of rain influences wildlife, activity experiences and visitor levels.



The long dry season occurs from the end of July to October; though, being at a higher altitude brings showers during this period too. The lesser precipitation causes watering holes to recede along with the vegetation becoming sparser. As a result, animals are required to relocate or travel to find food and water. With few remaining options available in the park during the dry season, large mixed-species groups of animals are found near rivers, streams and other substantial water sources.

You have a chance to see varied wildlife in one location, and the fauna is easier to observe thanks in part to the thinned flora. All of these conditions maximize wildlife viewing, which is why the long dry season is highly recommended but also busiest time in Mount Kenya National Park. Visitor levels also increase due to the simultaneous timing of American and European family summer vacations in Kenya and also the migratory arrival of the wildebeest in Masai Mara.



The long dry season is followed by a short rainy season in November and December. Visitor levels do tend to decrease during this time with the exception of Christmas, New Year’s and Easter as the park is a popular East African mountainous holiday destination with locals and international visitors. The rains during this time tend to be limited to the short afternoon or evening showers. Because your safari forest activities are scheduled around when rain is expected, your activities will, at the most, be variably impacted.

January through February is the short-dry season, and conditions are similar to the long dry season with the exception being hotter and more humid months. In the last weeks of March, though, the weather takes a much more dramatic turn. From the end of March until May and most parts of June, the rains can fall for a few days at a time but not all day, and the skies are mostly overcast with occasional sunshine.



The rains replenish watering holes around the park and vegetation emerges from rich soil. The animals disperse across the park because food and water are more plentiful. While the weather and challenges in locating fauna may not appeal to every guest, AfricanMecca recommends that repeat and even adventurous first-time visitants who desire incredible, heart-touching nature experiences for their discerning tour in Kenya visit during the long rainy season. The forests are wildly lush, renewed and distinct in its appearance. Birdlife is plentiful.

Also, some antelopes give birth during this time, and you may have a front row seat to watch the wobbliest of legs stand and walk for the first time within minutes of being born or even just a few days old. The bond between mother and baby is different for each species, and these subtle variations make the experience all the more memorable. Accommodation prices in Mount Kenya during the rainy period lowers; though, other costs such as logistics, park fees, activities rate etc. remains the same throughout the year.