Kenya Weather

Kenya enjoys a tropical climate, due to which the overall temperature remains constant throughout the year. However, seasonal variations are common and are accompanied by high precipitation. Due to its geographical location, Kenya has four different topographical zones -- coastal region, low plateau area, high elevation areas and temperate highlands.     

Overall, Kenya experiences a warm weather, which is characterised by sunny days and cool nights. The hottest months in Kenya are February and March, when the temperature soars up to 34° Celsius. On the contrary, July and August are the coolest months, when the temperature drops to around 10° Celsius.

In the low-lying coastal areas like Mombosa and Malindi, the weather is mostly hot and humid. The average temperature ranges between 22° Celsius and 30° Celsius during the hotter months. During the colder months, the temperature ranges from 20° Celsius to 29° Celsius. The months between October to April experience around 1000 mm to 1250 mm rain.

With average yearly rainfall between 250 mm to 500 mm, the low plateau area of the country is the driest part. Rainfall is only seen during the month of November. The yearly temperature ranges between 19° Celsius and 37° Celsius, with minimal seasonal variation.

At higher elevations, the temperature during the summer months is between 14° Celsius and 34° Celsius. During the cooler months, the temperature varies from 14° Celsius to 30° Celsius. Rainfall in these areas ranges between 1,740 mm and 1,940 mm, which make the Kenyan highland the wettest region of the country. Maximum rainfall is seen during April, whereas January experiences minimum rainfall.     
       
The temperate highlands of the country are characterised by moderate weather conditions year-round. The temperature ranges between 13° Celsius to 26° Celsius during the summer months. However, the temperature drops down to around 10° Celsius during winters. This region experiences rains in two seasons, from March through June and from October through December.

The best time to visit Kenya is June to September. During this hot and dry season, the wildebeest migration takes place, which is a major tourist attraction. January and February are also considered ideal months for planning a trip to the country. At this time, the wildlife is concentrated near the water sources that make game viewing easy. Besides, several activities like swimming, snorkelling and kayaking can also be enjoyed during this time.