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Governors' Camp
Governors' Camp
Governors' Camp
Governors' Camp
Governors' Camp
Governors' Camp
Governors' Camp
Governors' Camp
Governors' Camp
Governors' Camp

About Governors' Camp

One of the oldest camps in the Mara, located on a thickly forested meander of the Mara River, Governors' ...

... Camp is also one of the biggest. This is really the main location of a giant camp split into three neighbouring sites, consisting of this the main Governors' camp, Little Governors' and Governors' Il Moran camps, all clustered around the river in the northwest corner of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The name refers to the site supposedly being favoured by the colonial governors of Kenya.

The location of Governors’ Camp is unbeatable, with superb game-viewing around the Musiara Marsh. The popularirty of the area means that you rarely have those special moments to yourself – but if you can forgive this, and are comfortable with formal times for meals and drives, then Governors’ is worth considering.

Our view

The location of Governors’ Camp is unbeatable, with superb game-viewing around the Musiara Marsh. The popularirty of the area means that you rarely have those special moments to yourself – but if you can forgive this, and are comfortable with formal times for meals and drives, then Governors’ is worth considering.

Accommodation

25 tents

Children

Best for 6+

Open

All year

Activities

4WD Safari

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Cultural excursion

Guided walking safari

Guided walking safari

Hot air ballooning

Hot air ballooning

Private activities

Private activities

Traveller reviews of Governors' Camp

11 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.


96%
11 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
9
Good
2
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
SuemacfromUnited Kingdom

Arrived 16 Jun 2024, 3 nights

"Governors' Camp review"

"Loved this camp …" Read Suemac’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs BfromEssex

Arrived 25 Aug 2023, 2 nights

"Governors' Camp review"

"A great location in the trees on the riverbank. …" Read Mr & Mrs B’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Helen B fromLondon

Arrived 8 Aug 2023, 3 nights

"Governors' Camp review"

"Overall I would recommend this camp for families …" Read Helen B ’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Dr M.fromLoughborough

Arrived 7 Feb 2019, 2 nights

"Governors Camp review"

"The Mara was simply magnificent...Our tented accommodation overlooked the river …" Read Dr M.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mrs JfromMilton Keynes

Arrived 1 Sep 2018, 4 nights

"Good safari"

Overall rating: Good

Mrs BfromEdinburgh

Arrived 30 Nov 2016, 3 nights

"Enjoyable three nights at Governors' Camp"

"Great location and game viewing but after a very special time at Laikipia Wilder …" Read Mrs B’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

Dr LMfromSE London

Arrived 25 Aug 2016, 2 nights

"Amazing Safari at Governors Camp"

"This was the second year in a row that we'd decided to stay at Governors …" Read Dr LM’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs LNfromLondon

Arrived 5 Oct 2015, 3 nights

"Governors Camp review"

"Governors is a large camp beautifully located within the Reserve. The proximity …" Read Mr & Mrs LN’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

FamilyfromSurrey

Arrived 24 Aug 2015, 2 nights

"Wonderful Safari Experience"

"We loved it here, but we know why you describe it as having a "circus" …" Read Family’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr RfromNewberg

Arrived 14 Feb 2014, 2 nights

"Governors Camp review"

"We enjoyed a wonderful safari experience at Governor's Camp! From the …" Read Mr R’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

See all Governors' Camp reviews

Safaris visiting Governors' Camp

Just ideas, we'll always tailor-make a trip for you


Map

Big Cat Fly-in Safari

8 days • 2 locations • 1 country
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

Combining two of Kenya’s best wildlife-viewing areas, this slow-paced safari to the Lewa Conservancy and Maasai Mara guarantees iconic wildlife. The long-established, well-rated camps are great value, too.

Visiting Maasai Mara, Laikipia

US$5,690 - US$8,850 per person

Read more about the Big Cat Fly-in Safari

Governors' Camp: Our full report

One of the oldest camps in the Mara, located on a thickly forested meander of the Mara River, Governors' ...

... Camp is also one of the biggest. This is really the main location of a giant camp split into three neighbouring sites, consisting of this the main Governors' camp, Little Governors' and Governors' Il Moran camps, all clustered around the river in the northwest corner of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The name refers to the site supposedly being favoured by the colonial governors of Kenya.

'Main Governors', as it is sometimes known, was the first of the Governors' group, built in 1972 on the site of an old campsite on the riverbank, and now much extended so that the whole camp covers more than 1.6 hectares (4 acres), ranged around a deep 'w' on the Mara. The key asset here is not the camp itself: it's the location. Governors' has one of the best spots in the Mara and the owners haven't been in this business for more than 40 years without learning how to make the most of it.

The camp is unfenced and, happily, they have managed to preserve much of the original forest. Entering the camp from Governors' own Musiara airstrip, you drive down the entrance track through dense stands of trees and jungle, and into the car park. It's a busy area, with lots of vehicles, staff milling around and all the paraphernalia you'd expect of a place that regularly looks after more than 40 guests. At 25 tents, this remains one of the larger camps within the Mara, however despite this, Governors' has a pleasant, laid-back feel to it and is probably best suited to travellers who are happy being left to themselves, participating in hotel-style meal times and joining up with others for the shared game drives.

Around camp, the wildlife has adjusted to Governors' human community in their midst, and while predators stay away from camp, some species have learned they will be tolerated and even tacitly welcomed. Popular residents of camp are the large colony of dwarf mongooses, while elephants are frequent visitors to the camp, as are hippos who will leave the safety of the river in the evenings in search of food.

Governors' is a permanent camp, both in the sense that it was built to last, and in the sense that its original designs made no attempt to reduce its environmental footprint. It still doesn't reflect many modern environmental standards, though it has recently started a recycling project in Ongata Rongai, near Nairobi, employing people to recycle Governors' waste cardboard and paper into fuel briquettes. The camp buys these back from the project to fuel their new hot water system. On our most recent visit the camp was exploring ways to bring in solar power, however this is not yet in place.

The central areas of Governors' Camp incorporate a reception office and a small shop, pleasant lawns and a drinks terrace overlooking the river. Soft refurbishments have taken place in the central area, with new soft furnishing and fabrics in 2023, and the guest tents have also recently received a freshen up too. The dining-bar-lounge tent is a capacious marquee-like structure with a tiled floor and directors' chairs, wood framed sofas and low tables. The chunky bar stools are a reminder that Governors' is a social scene as well as a safari camp: people make friends here quickly and any pub-goer will feel at ease.

Crazy-paving paths link the main areas of the camp to the 25 tents, which are fairly close together. These are suspended from heavy steel frames built on solid concrete plinths, set with crazy paving. Stretched across the frame is a durable canvas flysheet, with a second thin flysheet above that to provide some sun protection. Of these, 20 face the river, with its hippos, birdlife and even the occasional wildebeest river crossing during the August to October migration (the most likely crossing point in camp is just downstream from the lawns and deck area where guests often have afternoon tea). The other five tents face the plain where ambling elephants and the odd roaming lion pride can be spotted from your 'front door'.

The 16 standard tents are smaller than the average for this level of camp, but reasonably comfortably furnished, with rush matting covering the concrete bedroom floor, twin or double beds, bedside tables, plug sockets taking three-pin, UK-style plugs (generator power available for charging batteries 24/7), and a small glass-topped dressing table with a director's chair. Outside each tent, on the veranda, there are two more director's chairs and a table – though all too often the general access path to the tents cuts in front of the verandas, so your privacy tends to be curtailed. These director's chairs are the only seating in the tents – no recliners, daybeds or armchairs – so there is nowhere really comfortable to flop apart from the bed itself.

The built-in tent bathrooms have half-height wood-panel walls, a tiled floor and an attractive 'country cottage' paint scheme that makes them a lot lighter than they would otherwise be, given the amount of tree cover and the lack of mosquito-screen 'windows' in the bathroom area. The bathrooms have standard flush toilets and adequate walk-in showers, but no shower screens.

The one suite at Governors' Camp has a bathtub is the same as the standard tents at Governors' Il Moran Camp.

Eight of the tents are then family units, these are similar in design to the standard tents, with one bathroom, however they have an extension to the front which can accommodate two twin beds. While these are a good option for younger children, older teenagers or adults travelling together may prefer to have their own separate tent.

Governors also have a seperate spa tent with a resident therapist, and a range of different treatments such as massages, body scrubs, facials and pedicures are on offer. Prices vary, starting around $50 for an hours massage, through to $85 for a 90-minute treatment.

The principal safari activities at Governors' Camp are game drives – early morning, and late afternoon – in one of the camp vehicles. Governors' uses mostly open-sided Land Rovers with two rows of seats in the rear, and the option for one passenger to sit next to the driver-guide. More than 30 driver-guides work for Governors' camps in the Mara. The drivers, each based at a particular camp, are responsible for their own vehicles.

Drives take place along the forest margins east of the river, and then fan out around the Musiara sector of the national reserve, to Paradise Plain or Rhino Ridge, or go further to visit the reserve's Sekenani sector. In terms of visitors, this is the busiest part of the Mara eco-system, especially during the wildebeest migration, when hundreds of minivans and 4x4s crawl the earth roads in the hope of seeing a kill or a wildebeest river crossing. Even off-season, you will inevitably share most of your best sightings with anything from one or two to a couple of dozen other vehicles.

In common with all properties in the Mara, early-morning balloon safaris can be booked. All Governors' guests take their balloon flights from Governors' own launch site at Little Governors' Camp. From Governors' Main Camp you take a vehicle transfer to their little boat jetty at about 5.30am, followed by the 30-second ferry across the Mara, and then a five-minute walk to the launch site behind Little Governors' Camp. The flight lasts approximately one hour, landing in the Mara Triangle, where you have a bush breakfast with sparkling wine, and then a game drive, arriving back at camp around mid-morning.

Geographics

Location
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Ideal length of stay
Three days-plus to get appreciate the full wildlife rewards of this area.
Directions
The 2km drive from Governors’ own airstrip, Musiara, takes five–ten minutes, though interesting wildlife en route often delays the trip.
Accessible by
Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Full Board & Activities
Food quality
Food at the Governors camps is surprisingly good for a simpler, more economical camp. Over recent years the camp has been working with talented chefs to improve the menu and on our last visit we found the meals to be one of the highlights of our stay. When the camp is quiet meals will often be served a la carte, however when full these are normally served as a buffet.

A full cooked breakfast, plus fruit, cereals, yogurts and various bread and pastries is served as a buffet, however many guests take a breakfast out with them on their morning game drive.

Lunch, roughly from midday to 3pm, is a buffet, though it starts with the option of a plated soup as a first course. The soup might be carrot & ginger, accompanied by mixed seed bread, feta and dipping pesto. The buffet typically includes dishes such as seared chicken with lemon sauce, fried calamari and various vegetables, with salads and a choice of puds to follow.

Dinner, served at 8.00pm, is a plated meal of three courses. On our last visit we were offered a choice of starters, we opted for the feta and watermelon salad. There were three mains to choose from, including steak cooked to order or chicken Milanese. Dessert was then a choice of ice creams and sorbets, or perhaps a decedent chocolate cake.
Dining style
Individual Tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
Dining at your tent is possible, with request in advance.
Drinks included
Most drinks are included at Governors Camp.

Special interests

Family holidays
Governor’s Camp offers a classic safari experience suited to families with children aged 8+. With spacious tents, excellent wildlife viewing, and flexible guiding, it’s a great choice for families wanting comfort, adventure, and unforgettable moments in the Maasai Mara.
See ideas for Family holidays in Kenya
Photography holidays
Governors Camp has a resident photographer on site, and with advance notice you can pre-book him for a special photo shoot or perhaps a photography lesson. Lenses are also available to hire. The guides can also advise you on photography and know how to position the vehicles for the best shots.
See ideas for Photography holidays in Kenya

Children

Attitude towards children
Children of all ages are welcome.
Property’s age restrictions
None
Special activities & services
There are toys and puzzles in the bar, but nothing else. Childminding can be arranged with staff from housekeeping, but there is nobody with a professional childcare background.
Equipment
Cots and highchairs are available.
Generally recommended for children
Yes – Governors’ is family-friendly, and being a bit larger than most camps it can accommodate children without affecting the atmosphere of camp.
Notes
As Governors’ is unfenced, young children will need very close parental supervision at all times. The camp is busy enough, however, for animals approaching camp to be noticed before they have arrived.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Governors' Camp

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Governors' Camp have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.

Buffalo

100% success

Elephant

100% success

Giraffe

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Lion

100% success

Spotted Hyena

100% success

Wildebeest

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Eland

75% success

Cheetah

50% success

Leopard

50% success

Black Rhino

25% success

Aardvark

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Striped Hyena

0% success

Wild dog

0% success

Communications

Power supply notes
Charging points in rooms and 24hr lighting. Briquettes are used for heating shower water. There is no-solar powered system.
Communications
WiFi is available throughout the camp, both in the central area and the tents.

There is good cellphone coverage.
TV & radio
There is no official guest TV, but the staff quarters have TV which guests are welcome to visit for major sporting events, etc.
Water supply
Borehole
Water supply notes
Reverse osmosis system in rooms.

Sustainability

Governors' Camp sustainability

Achieving zero-waste with the help of locals

Accommodating up to 40 visitors with a total work force of 200 employees, Grovernors’ Camp is built on low environmental footprint and has implemented a zero waste policy. To achieve its goal, the camp has initiated a recycling project which involves the camp’s staff and locals as well.

At Governors’ Camp all waste is sorted and separated in-house, and all recyclable material is then sent for disposal via Governors Head office to recycling companies in Nairobi. Additionally, Grovernors’ has introduced a programme to use recycled fuel for the hot water systems in order to lessen its dependence on fossil fuels. To do this, the camp has recently started a recycling project in Ongata Rongai, near Nairobi, which employs 12 disadvantaged youth from the local area. The initiative involves using all the Governors’ waste paper and cardboard to make recycled paper briquettes, which the camp then buys off the local community. The project produces 1.5 tonnes of recycled briquettes per week from 100% recycled materials which are used to fire the camp’s hot water system.

Proving it success at Governors’ Camp, the programme is now replicated at other properties within the group. Moreover, for its consistent efforts in recycling and energy efficiency, the camp was awarded the Silver Eco Rating from Eco-Tourism Kenya.

See more great sustainability projects in Kenya

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
There is a doctor on site. Guides are first-aid trained and there is a first-aid kit in all vehicles. The camp has links to the Flying Doctor service as well.
Dangerous animals
High Risk
Security measures
The camp is patrolled by askaris during the day and night. Guests are escorted around the camp at night.
Fire safety
Fire extinguishers are located all over camp and they do fire drills to ensure that the staff are all trained to use them.

Activities

  • 4WD Safari

    4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Cultural excursion

    Cultural excursion

  • Guided walking safari

    Guided walking safari

  • Hot air ballooning

    Hot air ballooning

  • Private activities

    Private activities

Extras

Disabled access
In Place
Laundry facilities
Laundry service included - washing powder is in the tents for washing your own underwear, which is not included in the service.
Money
Forex is available for key currencies based on the rate of the day.
Valuables should be kept at reception. Guests are given a safe bag and a key and the bag is put in a central safe.
Accepted payment on location
Governors’ takes credit card payments, including Amex, with no surcharge. They also take most major currencies in cash, but not travellers’ cheques.

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Governors' Camp's location

Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Governors' Camp.


Excursions from Governors' Camp

Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst you're staying at Governors' Camp. Talk to us: these are usually best arranged before you go.


Balloon flight over the Mara

Balloon flight over the Mara

3 hours in total - morning only

With the sun rising over the Loita Hills, you scramble into the balloon basket for the start of a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You’re about to go drifting with the breeze above the trees and plains of one of the world’s greatest wildlife regions.

More about Balloon Safari
96% (35 reviews)

Other lodges in Maasai Mara National Reserve

Alternative places to stay in this same area.


Little Governors' Camp

Little Governors'

Little Governors’ Camp sits by a swamp (an old oxbow of the Mara River) in the Mara Triangle sector of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. It has its own balloon-launching site.


95% (33 reviews)
Rekero

Rekero

Rekero is an unpretentious, high-end safari camp, for travellers who take their wildlife watching seriously and are prepared to pay for an exceptional location.


98% (31 reviews)
Tangulia Mara

Tangulia Mara

Tangulia Mara is a rustic and traditional safari camp on the border of the Maasai Mara National Reserve owned by Jackson Looseyia of Big Cat Diary fame.


98% (18 reviews)
Serian Nkorombo

Serian Nkorombo

Serian Nkorombo is a luxury bush camp in the Musiara sector of the Maasai Mara National Reserve on the east side of the Mara River.


100% (8 reviews)
Sand River Camp

Sand River Camp

Luxury colonial-style tented camp on the banks of the Sand River close to the Tanzania border – a great spot to see the wildebeest migration.


97% (6 reviews)
Sala's Camp

Sala's Camp

Sala’s Camp is a comfortable and intimate tented camp, with seven tented rooms, located on the banks of the Sand River, in the far south of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.


96% (5 reviews)
Governors' Il Moran Camp

Governors' Il Moran

The smallest and most expensive of the three camps in the Governors’ group, Governors’ Il Moran Camp hugs a meander of the Mara River just 1km north of the main Governors’ Camp.


95% (4 reviews)
Mara Expedition Camp

Mara Expedition Camp

Mara Expedition Camp is a small luxury camp located in a slightly elevated area of bush and woodland, just outside the Maasai Mara National Reserve.


100% (3 reviews)
Basecamp Maasai Mara

Basecamp Maasai Mara

Basecamp Maasai Mara is a family-friendly, award-winning eco-camp on a U-bend on the north bank of the Talek River, on the boundary of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.


70% (2 reviews)
Ilkeliani Camp

Ilkeliani Camp

Ilkeliani Camp is a smart elegant camp overlooking the Talek River, on the edge of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.


100% (2 reviews)
Angama Mara

Angama Mara

Angama Mara is a top-end luxury tented camp on the Siria-Oloololo escarpment of the Maasai Mara ecoystem, just above the Mara Triangle sector of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.


100% (2 reviews)
Mara Ngenche Safari Camp

Ngenche Safari Camp

Mara Ngenche is a non-hosted, luxury tented camp with an antique style, which is perfect if you're looking for private dining while staying somewhere small and personal.


90% (2 reviews)
Tipilikwani Mara Camp

Tipilikwani Camp

Tipilikwani Mara Camp is a larger, mid-range tented camp offering good value from its base on the Talek River just outside the Mara National Reserve.


100% (1 review)
Mara Serena Safari Lodge

Mara Serena Safari Lodge

Mara Serena Safari Lodge is a large safari hotel with views of the Mara River, in the Mara Triangle sector of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.


No reviews yet
Mara Intrepids

Mara Intrepids

Mara Intrepids is in a prime scenic location in the heart of the Maasai Mara.


No reviews yet
Mara Explorer Camp

Mara Explorer Camp

Mara Explorer is a smart tented camp is in a scenic location on a bend in the Talek River.


No reviews yet
Governors' Private Camp

Governors' Private Camp

Located on a secluded bend of the Mara River, Governor’s Private Camp has just eight tents and is booked on an exclusive basis.


No reviews yet
Entim Camp

Entim Camp

Entim Camp is well located in the heart of the Mara National Reserve, offering traditionally styled tented accommodation.


No reviews yet
Naibor Camp

Naibor Camp

Naibor has a great location in the Mara reserve, and offers accommodation to suit different budgets, with stylish high-end tents and some simpler ones too.


No reviews yet
Ishara

Ishara

Ishara is a highly luxurious safari camp in the Maasai Mara, located on the Talek River, which is one of the best areas in Kenya for wildlife.


No reviews yet

When to go to Maasai Mara National Reserve

Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Governors' Camp in Maasai Mara National Reserve


Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Kenya in January

Clear, hot days and warm nights make this high season a popular time for safaris and it’s also good for diving and snorkelling as water clarity is excellent and gets better as the dry season progresses. Most lodges and tented camps treat January after the New Year week is over, as mid-season, making it a good compromise in terms of value for money with reasonably reliable, dry weather and some greenery left in the landscape.

Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in January, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the weather and seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

  • On average, January is the second driest month of the year
  • Elephants dig waterholes in the dry riverbed in the Samburu reserve.
  • Wildebeest and many antelope have their calving season, to February.
  • Migrant birds are seen in huge numbers, especially in the Rift Valley.
  • Sea water clarity around the coral reefs generally good.

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in January

Kenya in February

With the short dry season well established, the grass grazed down and wildlife gathering close to water points, this is still a good time for a safari. Good water clarity in the Indian Ocean's coastal waters makes for excellent diving and snorkelling conditions.

Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in February, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the weather and seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

  • On average, February is the driest month of the year.
  • It’s sometimes possible to swim with whale sharks at Diani Beach.
  • Migrant birds are still seen everywhere, especially near water.
  • This is usually peak calving season for wildebeest and many antelopes.
  • This month is often the hottest of the year, especially on the coast.

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in February

Kenya in March

Hot, increasingly humid weather – with good diving and snorkelling conditions at the start of the month – gives way to rains and lower accommodation costs. Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in March, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and predicting the seasons since the beginning of this century has been difficult.

March is the month when – traditionally – intensely hot conditions build up until a cloudburst finally happens at the end of the month or in early April, to relieve the humidity. As ever, regional variations across the country can greatly impact on visitors' experiences.

  • Sea-water clarity is best for diving before the long rains start.
  • Visitor numbers are low, though the Easter holidays can be busier.
  • Night skies can be scintillatingly clear in early March.
  • Cropped down savannah grasses can make it easier to see the wildlife.
  • Temperartures climb high, especially at lower elevations.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in March

Kenya in April

April sees the full onset of the southeast monsoon wind or kusi, which heralds the long rains. Temperatures drop soon after the rains are established and you’ll often have facilities largely to yourself in this more affordable low season, sometimes known as the "green season". The bush quickly springs to life, with greenery sprouting almost before your eyes. While you're likely to get a fair number of heavy showers, the breaks in the rain can yield sparklingly clear conditions.

With the dust settled and bright sun piercing the clouds, conditions can be sublime for photography, especially first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon with another storm brewing. You may be lucky, or you may find conditions very wet and muddy.

  • A wet month, the coast often gets more than 300mm (12in) of rain.
  • Sunny spells can provide great light for photography.
  • Buffalo and zebra calving season often happens in this month.
  • Baby crocodiles hatch, for example on Central Island in Lake Turkana.
  • Palearctic migrant birds gather to fly north to breeding grounds.

Our view

A time to avoid if possible

Weather in April

Kenya in May

While game viewing can be trickier as vegetation runs riot, between the cloudbursts the colours and light are great for photography at this time of year. Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in May, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and while it's reasonable to expect heavy rains in many parts during this month, especially on the coast, the rains don't always come evenly or in some areas come at all.

In an El Niño year, the so-called long rains that normally are established across much of the country by May can be meagre, to the despair of farmers. On the other hand in a La Niña year, the long rains can bring floods. On the coast, the monsoon winds make the climate much more predictable, with heavy rains common throughout this month.

  • Frogs breed in the ponds in the Arabuko Sokoke Forest near Watamu.
  • Wildebeest, impala and other grazers are in rut (the breeding season).
  • Kilimanjaro looks its best as heavy rain falls as snow on the summit.
  • There's a sharp peek of rainfall on the coast with many rainy days.
  • Accommodation prices are uniformly low, while some camps close.

Our view

A time to avoid if possible

Weather in May

Kenya in June

The rains give way to cloudy, cooler weather, often making for comfortable conditions by the end of the month, especially in the highlands. Starting from mid-June or the beginning of July and running until the end of October, this is the high season, and accordingly has higher accommodation rates and – at least until early September – higher numbers of visitors.

While the early part of June can often be rainy on the coast, it can be a great time to go on safari, with fresh greenery, many young animals and good photographic conditions with clear air.

  • The Taru Desert, inland from the coast, is carpeted with flowers.
  • The Lake Turkana Cultural Festival is held in Loiyangalani.
  • Madaraka Day (commemorating self rule) is 1 June.
  • The annual Lewa marathon runs a course through the wildlife.
  • The Diani Rules "sports" event rips up the rulebook at Diani Beach.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in June

Kenya in July

Kenya’s “winter" season sets in (winter is a misnomer but locals feel the change), and the highlands can be rather grey. Skies are often cloudy and the days can be surprisingly cool, with an average daytime high in many highland safari areas of 15-20°C and night-time temperatures dropping below 10°C in Nairobi and the highlands. Lower parts of the country and the coast are usually warm and dry, typically reaching highs of around 25°C with lows in the high teens.

As this is the start of the high season, coinciding with the usual arrival of the wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara, July is a busy month. Ask your Expert Africa specialist to advise on how to avoid the crowds, which is not that difficult to do.

  • The wildebeest migration usually reaches the Maasai Mara in July.
  • Simbi Lake (Kisumu) and Crater Lake (Naivasha) can attract flamingoes.
  • Watersports start to pick up and some surfing is possible at Malindi.
  • Afternoon thunderstorms are a common feature in the Maasai Mara.
  • The sea can be choppy along the coast, making diving difficult.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in July

Kenya in August

The Great Migration fills the plains of the Maasai Mara, and school’s out, so the park roads are full of tourists – ask your Expert Africa specialist for advice on crowd avoidance tactics. Choose a private conservancy rather than a public national park or national reserve for quieter conditions.

Like July, August is generally mild and relatively dry in the safari areas, but it can be very chilly in the highlands, even in the middle of the day, and hail occasionally falls above altitudes of around 2,400m (8,000ft). Nairobi can be disappointingly overcast, with low cloud.

  • Apart from Christmas holidays, this is the busiest month of the year.
  • Late August sees peak wildebeest drama at the Mara River crossings.
  • Coastal winds are good for kite- and wind-surfing.
  • Few mosquitoes are around at this generally dry time of year.
  • The annual Camel Derby takes place in the Samburu capital, Maralal.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in August

Kenya in September

The skies clearing of cloud signals the start of hot, dry weather with little chance of rain – and, after the first few days of the month, far fewer visitors – making the latter part of September a good time for a quieter safari. While early September is often good for dramatic migration crossings along the Mara River, you might consider deliberately postponing your trip until later in the month, when the migration can still be very impressive and visitor numbers fewer.

If tourist surges are somewhat predictable, however, the patterns of the wildebeest migration are more volatile, and like all of Expert Africa's climate and weather assessments, they are based on accumulated years of experience rather than guaranteed certainty.

  • This is still high season, with prices to match.
  • Many river crossings take place on the Mara river in both directions.
  • Natural bush fires flush out insects and small animals for predators.
  • The Rift Valley Music Festival takes place by Lake Naivasha.
  • With school holidays over by early September, late-month is quieter.

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in September

Kenya in October

Still hot, mostly dry and not too busy, this is many people’s preferred month for a safari, and it’s also good for diving and snorkelling. The wildebeest and zebra herds of the great migration are often still to be seen, though in dwindling numbers. The swamps of Amboseli attract thirsty wildlife including large herds of elephants.

While we wouldn't expect much rain across most of the country this month, the climate has become so unpredictable that you can never say never, and the possibiity of the short rains – usually associated with November to mid-December, starting early, can't be discounted.

  • This month sees the tail end of the great migration in the Mara.
  • Palearctic migrant birds start to arrive, staying until March.
  • Turtle nests hatch at Watamu, until November.
  • Amboseli elephants focus on the swamps for their daily water.
  • The Indian Ocean monsoon winds turn from southeast to northeast.

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in October

Kenya in November

The northeast monsoon wind or kaskazi heralds the start of the “short rains", usually some time in the second half of the month. From November to mid-December, this is the low season, and accordingly has lower accommodation rates and lower visitor numbers. Across most of the country you can expect warm, somewhat cloudy weather, with occasional heavy showers and localised flooding.

Expert Africa bases its description of the climate in November, like the other months of the year, on the records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable: some years the short rains don't come at all, or don't reach every part of the country. In an El Niño year, the November short rains can be very heavy, but in a La Niña year, they can fail completely.

  • Swimming with dolphins in Lamu can be done from now until April.
  • Birders gather at Ngulia in Tsavo West to ring Palearctic migrants.
  • The Lamu Cultural Festival takes over the town and Lamu Creek.
  • Agricultural shows often take place regional market towns.
  • This is low season, so camps can be great value, with special offers.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in November

Kenya in December

In a typical December, the rains usually finish by middle of the month, leaving the landscape looking its best, under clear blue skies, and heralding the start of the second peak tourist season from around 20 December to the first week of January. Our assessment of the likely weather in December, like the other months of the year, is based on climate records, and it's fair to say that the seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

Christmas can sometimes be wet, but most years the rains have finished a week or two earlier, with the festive season ushering in the perfect combination of clear skies and sunshine by day and starry nights.

  • Christmas and New Year are busy, with the lodges and camps full.
  • Rates are highest after 24 Dec, with supplements on public holidays.
  • Republic Day and Independence day are celebrated on 12 December.
  • Good kite- and wind-surfing restarts, with strong northeasterly winds.
  • Mango season begins, providing excitement for primates and elephants.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in December

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