Kenya can generally be visited year-round as it enjoys a temperate climate even during the rainy seasons. The best months for game viewing are generally the dry seasons, which are January to February and July to August. At these times vegetation is light and there is no surface water created by the rains that disperses the animals -- instead they congregate around the remaining rivers and water holes. July to August is also the best time to see the wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara. Bird-watchers will want to visit in the winter months from October to April, when many birds migrate to East Africa from Europe. The coast can be visited at any time of year.
Weather -- Although it straddles the equator, Kenya experiences a mixed climate because of its diverse landscapes. Generally, the hottest period is from February to March and the coldest is from July to August. The long rains are from April to June and the short rains are from October to December, but even during these times the rain usually pounds down for a few hours each afternoon and then the sun shines brightly again. However, low season in Kenya is usually during the long rains when prices drop at the game lodges by up to 50%; it is very difficult to get around the parks and game reserves because of washed-out roads, so this time is best avoided for safaris. Kenya's coast enjoys a tropical climate with average daytime temperatures of 30?C (86?F) and long hours of sunshine, making it a perfect destination for a beach vacation. It can get humid; during the day the humidity is tamed by sea breezes, but it can feel sultry at night. High season on the coast lasts from November to February, as it's a popular winter break for Europeans and airfares and hotel prices are at their highest. Average temperatures in Nairobi, which sits at an altitude of just over 1,000m (3,280 ft.), are around 25?C (77?F). In the far north, which is very dry and desert-like, temperatures can reach up to 40?C (104?F), while the Central Highlands, which lie between 1,220m (4,000 ft.) and 2,150m (7,000 ft.), have temperatures low enough for frost to occur and Mount Kenya has permanent snow at the top. Throughout Kenya, it's important to cover up in the evenings to ward off mosquitoes and the possible risk of contracting malaria.
Holidays -- The Kenyan coast is predominantly Muslim, and many Islamic holidays are determined by the lunar calendar that shifts from year to year. These include Eid El Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice), Ras El Sana (Islamic New Year), Moulid El Nabi (Prophet's Birthday), and Ramadan (a fast during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar).
Public holidays include: New Year's Day (Jan 1); Good Friday (Mar/Apr); Easter Monday (Mar/Apr); Labor Day (May 1); Madaraka Day (June 1); Moi Day (Oct 10); Kenyatta Day (Oct 20); Jamhuri (Independence) Day (Dec 12); Christmas Day (Dec 25); and Boxing Day (Dec 26).
