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Elephant herd with Mount Kilimanjaro backdrop

Kenya travel guide

Safari plains, rift valley lakes and an Indian Ocean coast in one country

Best: Jul, Dec

Photo: Lucka1313 / Pixabay

Capital
Nairobi
Languages
English, Swahili
Currency
Kenyan shilling
Time zone
UTC+03:00
Plugs
Type G · 240 V
Driving
On the left
Emergency
112 / 999

Why visit Kenya

Kenya suits travellers who want wildlife, highlands and beach in a single trip. Nairobi sits inland, while Mombasa, Kilifi and Lamu give you the coast. December and July are the best months to go, with drier, clearer weather for safaris. The honest limitation: Kenya is large, at 580,367 km2, so moving between the savanna, the rift valley and the coast takes real time and planning.

  • A capital near the savanna

    Nairobi is Kenya's capital, home to about 5,545,000 people. It sits close to the Rift Valley towns of Naivasha and Narok, which are gateways to grassland and lake country.

  • A coastline with contrasts

    Mombasa, on the coast, has a population of around 1,208,333, making it Kenya's main port city. Further up the shore, smaller Lamu, with about 18,382 residents, and Kilifi, with around 122,899, offer quieter coastal alternatives.

  • Two clear windows for travel

    December and July stand out as the best months to visit, giving travellers two separate seasons to plan around rather than one narrow window.

  • Inland towns near highlands and lakes

    Nanyuki, with a population of 31,577, lies inland near Kenya's highland region, while Naivasha, with about 14,563 people, sits by its namesake lake in the Rift Valley.

  • A country built on scale

    Kenya covers 580,367 square kilometres and is home to over 54,227,015 people, giving it room for cities, coastline and highland towns within one country.

Is Kenya right for you?

Great for

  • Dry-season trips from June to September, with under 1 rain day and 1–4 mm of rain a month
  • Travellers who want long sunny days, with about 10–11.5 sun hours in most months
  • Coastal trips that take in Mombasa, Kilifi and Lamu
  • English speakers, since English is an official language alongside Swahili
  • UK visitors, who will find familiar type G plugs, 240 V power and left-hand driving

Less ideal for

  • Travellers who dislike heat, as highs stay between 30.6°C and 33.8°C all year
  • Trips in April or November, with 13–15 rain days and 93–104 mm of rain
  • Anyone hoping for cool evenings, as lows stay around 21–23°C
  • Drivers used to the right side of the road, since Kenya drives on the left

Kenya right now: November

4.7/10
Avg high
31°C
Avg low
21°C
Rain days
15

Averages for Kenya.

Weather by month

This climate data is for coastal Kenya (Mombasa area). June to September stays dry and sunny with highs around 32-34°C and under 1mm to 4mm of rain, with December also standing out as a strong choice; the toughest stretch is April and November, when rain days jump to 13 and 15.4 and monthly totals reach 93mm and 104mm.

Average highs and lows in Kenya by month January: high 32°C, low 21°C , 3 rain days . February: high 34°C, low 22°C , 2 rain days . March: high 34°C, low 23°C , 7 rain days . April: high 32°C, low 22°C , 13 rain days . May: high 33°C, low 22°C , 3 rain days . June: high 33°C, low 22°C , 1 rain days . July: high 32°C, low 21°C , 1 rain days . August: high 33°C, low 21°C , 1 rain days . September: high 34°C, low 21°C , 1 rain days . October: high 34°C, low 22°C , 6 rain days . November: high 31°C, low 21°C , 15 rain days . December: high 31°C, low 21°C , 8 rain days . 32°C 21°C JAN 3d 34°C 22°C FEB 2d 34°C 23°C MAR 7d 32°C 22°C APR 13d 33°C 22°C MAY 3d 33°C 22°C JUN 1d 32°C 21°C JUL 1d 33°C 21°C AUG 1d 34°C 21°C SEP 1d 34°C 22°C OCT 6d 31°C 21°C NOV 15d 31°C 21°C DEC 8d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Kenya (country average) · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Kenya: month-by-month weather →

Sample itineraries

7 days

Nairobi, Rift Valley and the Coast

  1. Day 1–2

    Nairobi

    Start in Kenya's capital, a city of 5,545,000 people. Use these two days to settle in and arrange onward plans before heading out to the Rift Valley.

  2. Day 3–4

    Naivasha

    Head to this small Rift Valley town of 14,563 people. It's a base for exploring the surrounding lake and valley scenery on foot or by bike.

  3. Day 5

    Narok

    Pass through Narok, a town of 65,430 people and the gateway to the Maasai Mara region, before continuing toward the coast.

  4. Day 6–7

    Mombasa

    Finish on the coast in Mombasa, Kenya's largest coastal city with 1,208,333 people. Spend your last days on the beach and exploring the old town.

10 days

Highlands, Savannah and the Swahili Coast

  1. Day 1–2

    Nairobi

    Begin in Nairobi, population 5,545,000, to get oriented and organise transport to the highlands and coast.

  2. Day 3–4

    Nanyuki

    Travel north to Nanyuki, a highland town of 31,577 people near Mount Kenya, good for cooler-air walks and views of the mountain.

  3. Day 5

    Narok

    Move south to Narok, population 65,430, the main town serving the Maasai Mara area.

  4. Day 6–7

    Kisumu

    Head west to Kisumu, Kenya's third-largest city with 397,957 people, on the shore of Lake Victoria.

  5. Day 8–9

    Kilifi

    Return east to the coast and the smaller town of Kilifi, population 122,899, known for its creek and relaxed beach atmosphere.

  6. Day 10

    Lamu

    End the trip in Lamu, a coastal town of 18,382 people, for a final day exploring its old streets and waterfront before departing.

Food to try in Kenya

Nyama Choma

This is grilled meat, usually goat or beef, cooked over charcoal. It's a social dish, often shared at weekend gatherings and roadside grills across Kenya.

Ugali

A thick maize porridge that is a staple starch across the country. It's eaten with stews, vegetables, or meat, usually formed into a firm dough-like side.

Sukuma Wiki

Collard greens cooked with onions and tomatoes, often served alongside ugali. The name means 'stretch the week,' reflecting its role as an affordable daily vegetable dish.

Chapati

A soft, layered flatbread influenced by South Asian communities in Kenya. It's common at breakfast or dinner, often paired with stews or tea.

Pilau

Spiced rice cooked with meat and a blend of spices like cumin and cardamom. It's popular at the coast, especially around Mombasa, and at festive meals.

Mandazi with Chai

Mandazi are lightly sweet, fried dough snacks similar to doughnuts. They're commonly eaten for breakfast with Kenyan chai, a milky spiced tea.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Kenya uses plug type G, the same as the UK. Electricity runs at 240 volts, so most phone and laptop chargers work fine. Bring an adapter if your plug shape is different.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the left in Kenya. If you're used to driving on the right, take extra care at junctions and roundabouts, especially in Nairobi traffic.
  • Emergency number: The emergency number in Kenya is 112 or 999. Save both in your phone before you travel, since coverage and response can vary by region.
  • Currency: The local currency is the Kenyan shilling. Carrying some cash is useful outside big towns, since card payments aren't always available.
  • Language: English and Swahili are both official languages in Kenya. English is widely used in business and tourism, while Swahili is common in daily life, especially outside cities.
  • Calling code: Kenya's international calling code is +254. Check this if you're setting up a local SIM card or calling home.

Kenya: frequently asked questions

Is Kenya good to visit in August?

Yes. August scores 5.1 out of 6 and is one of the drier months, with only 0.7 rain days and 2 mm of rain. Highs sit around 32.6°C with lows near 20.8°C, and sun hours are a solid 10.3 a day, so it's a reliable time for safaris.

When is the best time to visit Kenya?

December and July are rated the best months. December scores 6 out of 6, the highest of the year, with highs of 31°C and lows of 20.9°C. July scores 5.3, with very little rain (0.7 rain days, 3 mm) and highs of 32.1°C, making both months good for drier, sunnier travel.

What months should I be careful about rain in Kenya?

April and November bring the heaviest rain. April averages 93 mm over 13 rain days, and November is wetter still, with 104 mm over 15.4 rain days. These are Kenya's long and short rain seasons. Both months score lower overall (2.8 and 4.7), though the green landscapes and lower crowds still appeal to some travellers.

Is Kenya hot all year round?

Yes, temperatures stay warm every month. Daily highs range from 30.6°C in November to 33.8°C in September, and lows never drop below 20.8°C, in August. There's no cold season, so pack for heat whenever you travel, and bring rain gear if visiting during March, April, October or November.

Which Kenyan cities are on the coast?

Mombasa, Kilifi and Lamu are Kenya's main coastal cities. Mombasa is the largest with 1,208,333 people, followed by Kilifi at 122,899 and Lamu at 18,382. Nairobi, the capital with 5,545,000 people, and towns like Kisumu, Narok, Nanyuki and Naivasha are all inland.

What is the emergency number in Kenya?

The emergency number in Kenya is 112 or 999. It's worth saving both numbers before you travel, since either can be used to reach help across the country.

Similar destinations

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