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Loldia House
Loldia House
Loldia House
Loldia House
Loldia House
Loldia House
Loldia House

About Loldia House

Loldia House is a comfortable lakeshore lodge on the northwest side of Lake Naivasha in the heart of the Rift Valley.

Built by Italian prisoners of war in the early 1940s, it consists of a main house and three further cottages in the gardens and a newer top cottage up the hillside. For many years, the house has been managed by Governors' Camps.

We've long wanted to stay at Loldia House, but didn't have the opportunity until 2018. The lodge did not disappoint. Despite the chilly, windy weather blowing off the lake, the welcome was warm and our whole stay was infused with enthusiasm and glowing hospitality. We found the rooms comfy, in an old-school way, like a reliable English country bed & breakfast that hasn't had a huge design makeover. And we loved the activities that we managed to pack into an overnight stay. The chance to stay here again for a bit longer – and relax – is one we will relish.

Our view

We've long wanted to stay at Loldia House, but didn't have the opportunity until 2018. The lodge did not disappoint. Despite the chilly, windy weather blowing off the lake, the welcome was warm and our whole stay was infused with enthusiasm and glowing hospitality. We found the rooms comfy, in an old-school way, like a reliable English country bed & breakfast that hasn't had a huge design makeover. And we loved the activities that we managed to pack into an overnight stay. The chance to stay here again for a bit longer – and relax – is one we will relish.

Jessica Plumb

Jessica Plumb

Kenya expert

Accommodation

9 rooms

Children

Best for 10+

Open

All year

Activities

4WD Safari

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Boat trip

Boat trip

Fishing

Fishing

Guided walking safari

Guided walking safari

Horse-riding

Horse-riding

Kayaking

Kayaking

Mountain biking

Mountain biking

Night drive

Night drive

Private activities

Private activities

Traveller reviews of Loldia House

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


100%
11 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
11
Good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Mr & Mrs QfromBirmingham

Arrived 23 Sep 2024, 2 nights

"Loldia House review"

"our lodge was beautiful and the setting right on the lake is truly stunning …" Read Mr & Mrs Q’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Sarah & CarlfromCA., USA

Arrived 20 Sep 2024, 2 nights

"Loldia House review"

"Gave us such a different view of Kenya..hippos, monkeys, impala...fish eagles... …" Read Sarah & Carl’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

SuemacfromUnited Kingdom

Arrived 14 Jun 2024, 2 nights

"Loldia House review"

"A very peaceful place to stay. …" Read Suemac’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Ms SusanfromUSA

Arrived 24 Jan 2024, 3 nights

"Loldia House review"

"Perfect end to our trip...it was wonderful to have a day "off" …" Read Ms Susan’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Tom & LisafromPlymouth

Arrived 24 Jan 2024, 4 nights

"Loldia House review"

"Great place to relax at the end of our safari...walk...swim...sit on the lawn …" Read Tom & Lisa’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr and Mrs CfromLondon

Arrived 16 Jan 2024, 3 nights

"Loldia House review"

"Excellent all round …" Read Mr and Mrs C’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

N&CfromPoole

Arrived 4 Jan 2024, 3 nights

"Loldia House review"

"The swimming pool is a lovely new addition to the property. …" Read N&C’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

P and SfromChilterns

Arrived 6 Aug 2023, 2 nights

"Loldia House review"

"Very good throughout. …" Read P and S’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

OlgafromDubai

Arrived 3 Apr 2021, 1 nights

"Beautiful place!"

"Very client oriented staff! Delicious food! …" Read Olga’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

P&JGfromScotland

Arrived 19 Aug 2019, 4 nights

"Loldia House - a little gem on Lake Naivasha"

"R&R in beautiful and relaxing surroundings...perfect end to a wonderful holiday. …" Read P&JG’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

See all Loldia House reviews

Loldia House: Our full report

Loldia House is a comfortable lakeshore lodge on the northwest side of Lake Naivasha in the heart of the Rift Valley.

Built by Italian prisoners of war in the early 1940s, it consists of a main house and three further cottages in the gardens and a newer top cottage up the hillside. For many years, the house has been managed by Governors' Camps.

Arriving at Loldia House, your vehicle approaches the lake shore through bush and farmland. A herd of impala is often seen grazing just outside the grounds and several hippos favour a pool at the bottom of the garden, where the edge of the lake is sheltered by papyrus. The house itself is a simple structure of reddish lava rock and wood, with a green mabati corrugated iron roof. A veranda runs along the front, and inside there’s a comfortably furnished lounge with a dining room behind.

There are six guest rooms in the main part of the property (#1 and #4 in the main house, #5 and #6 in a separate cottage nearby and #10 and #11 in another cottage further away (there’s no #2 or #3). Two rooms and a loft room (#7, #8 and loft) are located in a separate cottage 400 metres up the hillside from where guests are usually driven to the main house for meals.

In the main house, Room #1 is probably the nicest on the property, with plenty of space, but being so close to the veranda, lounge and dining room makes it is somewhat less private than the others. Main house Room #4 is the best one for people with mobility difficulties: it’s a triple, with flat floors throughout, wide doors and a walk-in shower. In 2018, Expert Africa had Room #6 in the first cottage north of the main house, which was very comfortable. Room #5, adjoining #6 with a small, shared veranda, is a smallish twin. A little to the north, through the gardens, is another, newer cottage, built of grey stone and brick, with a thatched roof and two distinctive tall chimneys for the fireplaces in each room. While still furnished in traditional style, the bathrooms here are a little more modern and spacious, though still with single basins and showers over bathtubs. All four cottage rooms near the main house have lovely views out across the lawns, flower beds and mature trees to the lake.

The top cottage, a 400m drive up the hill, is a separate part of the property, near the house of the owner of Loldia House, Betty Hopcraft. On a fine day, there are magnificent views across the lake from up here. This top cottage is ideal for families and has two main bedrooms and a loft room, two bathrooms, and a kitchen for staff to prepare snacks and breakfast. A swimming pool near the top cottage openend in 2018, and is for the use of all guests.

In late 2024 two brand-new lakeshore luxury suites opened. Each suite has a double/twin bedroom and lounge area with a wood-burning stove. The en-suite bathroom is complete with double rain showers and a bath tub. Each suite has a verandah and a plunge pool overlooking Lake Naivasha.

Activities and excursions

Loldia House offers a surprisingly wide range of activities and has enough 4x4 safari vehicles to make it a great base for exploring the Rift Valley. Day and night game drives in the bush of Loldia Ranch can be quite productive, with zebra, giraffe and impala invariably seen, hyenas, mongooses and spring hares quite common, and leopard and aardvark seen more rarely. Morning drives usually leave around 6.30-7am and night drives after dinner, at about 8.30 or 9pm. These drives are included in your room rate.

Around the house itself, you can: go walking, jogging or running (accompanied by a guide); explore the garden’s birdlife (with a bird guide); visit the working farm; play tennis (book in advance); or do a school visit to Loldia primary school. Again, these activities are free of charge.

Loldia’s free boat trips are a very popular activity, and on a clear morning or late afternoon there’s nothing nicer than puttering along through the papyrus on the quest for water birds and hippos. The guides are adept at luring fish eagles to fish thrown for them, which can get you great photos in the right conditions.

In the neighbourhood and around Lake Naivasha, you can also play golf (US$20 green fees, plus club and caddy charges), go horse riding (US$20 per hour – booked in advance), visit a flower farm (US$5), visit Elsamere – the former home of Joy Adamson and now a conservation museum and shrine to her work (US$10) – and explore the Crescent Island Sanctuary (US$30) on the southeast side of the lake, which has some of the highest densities of plains mammals in Kenya.

For keen birders, Green Crater Lake is a must (US$25), with its huge numbers of species and a highly habituated troop of Colobus monkeys. Just to the southeast of the lake, and easily accessible from the lake road, lies the scenic, cliff-bound landscape of Hell’s Gate National Park (US$26), which has a good range of plains mammals, though nothing dangerous enough to rule out walking or cycling (bikes are available to hire) which are both permitted. The Ol Karia Geothermal plant is located inside the park, and they’ve set aside an area as a kind of natural spa (US$18) where you can bathe.

Beyond Hell’s Gate rises Mount Longonot National Park, a dormant volcano you can climb (US$26). The expedition, circling the rim and returning to the gate, is nearly 14km and takes about 5 hours. With a 630m (2000ft) vertical difference, and a narrow path to follow, that pitches up and down, this is quite a tough, physical day.

Booking Loldia House on a full board and activities basis through Expert Africa means you have use of the 4x4 safari vehicles and guides for trips further afield in the Rift Valley at no extra charge (entrance fees extra). You may be lucky and have a private vehicle and driver-guide, but you should be prepared to share with other guests, so compromising on where you visit may be necessary. If you prefer you can opt to pay extra for a guaranteed private vehicle. These trips can include full-day trips to: Lake Nakuru National Park (black rhinos, southern white rhinos and the full roster of plains mammals, with the exclusion of elephants); Lake Elmenteita and Soysambu Conservancy (flamingos, plains grazers, lions, leopards); Lake Bogoria National Reserve (flamingos, greater kudu); and Aberdare National Park (montane rainforest, Afro-Alpine scenery and spectacular waterfalls).

Geographics

Location
Rift Valley, Kenya
Ideal length of stay
2–3 nights
Directions
Loldia House is located off the recently hard-surfaced North Lake Road, on the northwest shore of Lake Naivasha. It's a 1.5–2hr drive from Nairobi. You can also fly by private charter flight to Loldia Airstrip, a 15 minute drive from the lodge. The scheduled airline Safarilink usually makes a daily, morning flight from Wilson Airport, Nairobi to Loldia airstrip, which continues to the Maasai Mara airstrips. This flight is one-way only: it doesn't stop at Loldia airstrip on the way back to Nairobi.
Accessible by
Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Full Board & Activities
Food quality
The food is good at Loldia House, and there's a good choice of house wines, too. Senior chef Ndegwa has been with Governors' for many years. When we stayed in 2018, lunch included avocado salad, red snapper and fruit salad, while dinner started with tomato soup and croutons, followed by little beefsteaks with a pepper sauce and finished with ice cream and fruit salad. They served us a really good Pinotage to accompany the meal, and several other reds and whites are available.
Dining style
Individual Tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
Breakfast and lunch are usually taken on the lawn when the weather is good, and dinner in the main dining room. Room service is available if guests want that.
Drinks included
Drinks are not included, but they are reasonably priced, for example US$5 for a glass of house wine (from a choice), US$5 for a beer or US$3 for a tot of spirits.

Special interests

Birdwatching
Lake Naivasha is a beautiful spot for birdwatching. Dozens of woodland, garden and water-loving species can be seen in and around the lodge grounds, while slightly further afield, at the Green Crater Lake, Lake Oloiden (both satellites of Lake Naivasha) and Hell's Gate National Park, you can encounter hundreds more.
See ideas for Birdwatching in Kenya

Children

Attitude towards children
Children are welcome, but the atmosphere is fairly adult. The private cottage up the hill is recommended for young families.
Property’s age restrictions
None
Special activities & services
None
Equipment
Baby cots and high chairs are available.
Generally recommended for children
Loldia House doesn't get many guests with young children.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Loldia House

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Loldia House 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.

Giraffe

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Buffalo

88% success

Spotted Hyena

86% success

Eland

78% success

Aardvark

14% success

Leopard

14% success

Pangolin

14% success

Communications

Power supply notes
There's a backup generator. Firewood water heaters and immersion heaters are used for the hot water supply to the rooms. There are no solar panels or solar water heaters in use.
Communications
Most networks have a reasonably good cellphone signal here. The house also has Wi-fi throughout.
TV & radio
There is no TV in the guest rooms or main house, but the staff have a TV which guests are welcome to watch when major sporting events are taking place.
Water supply
Other
Water supply notes
There's a borehole for the main house water supply, plus lake water is pumped up to water the garden. Drinking water is supplied from a reverse osmosis system and large plastic bottles of water are also bought in and decanted.

Health & safety

Medical care
The lodge has a first aid kit and three staff have first aid qualifications. All staff are periodically given Red Cross first-aid training. There are good medical facilities in the district, including Kijabe Hospital (80–90 minutes by road). Flying Doctors can be accessed within an hour in an emergency.
Dangerous animals
High Risk
Security measures
Security staff are on duty around the property at all times. The lodge is surrounded by a discreet electric fence to deter large mammals from entering. However it can't completely prevent hippos, waterbuck and buffalos from occasionally grazing on the lawns.
Fire safety
There are fire extinguishers and smoke detetectors around the lodge. Fire drills and fire-training are carried out regularly.

Activities

  • 4WD Safari

    4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Boat trip

    Boat trip

  • Fishing

    Fishing

  • Guided walking safari

    Guided walking safari

  • Horse-riding

    Horse-riding

  • Kayaking

    Kayaking

  • Mountain biking

    Mountain biking

  • Night drive

    Night drive

  • Private activities

    Private activities

Extras

Disabled access
On Request
Laundry facilities
Laundry is included in the rate, however ladies' underwear is included.
Money
There's a safe in the lodge office, but no safe boxes in the rooms.
Accepted payment on location
Cash is accepted in all major currencies, as are MasterCard, Visa and Amex, with no surcharge.

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Loldia House's location

Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Loldia House.


Excursions from Loldia House

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


Lake Bogoria National Reserve

Lake Bogoria National Reserve

Half or full day

Seeing the Rift Valley's iconic pink flocks of flamingos massing on one of the region's lakes can be a somewhat hit-and-miss affair since lake water levels rose after about 2014 and the ecology of several of them changed significantly. Lake Bogoria, however, in the northern Rift, still usually retains some large flocks of many thousands of lesser flamingos.

More about Lake Bogoria visit
100% (1 reviews)
Lake Nakuru Safari

Lake Nakuru Safari

Half or full day

Drive into one of Kenya's best-known national parks to explore the lakeshore, woodlands, cliffs and plains around this iconic lake. While the flamingos may no longer be here, Nakuru has some key mammals, including both black and southern white rhinos, lions, leopards and Rothschild giraffes.

More about Lake Nakuru Safari
100% (2 reviews)

Other lodges in Rift Valley

Alternative places to stay in this same area.


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Tumbili Cliff Lodge

Tumbili Cliff Lodge is located on a low cliff on the western shore of Lake Baringo, in Kenya's Great Rift Valley.


90% (2 reviews)
The Cliff

The Cliff

The Cliff is a comfortable, luxury tented camp overlooking Lake Nakuru, in the heart of Kenya's Great Rift Valley.


100% (2 reviews)
Mbweha Camp

Mbweha Camp

Mbweha Camp is a well-established safari lodge on private land close to the Nderit Gate of Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya's Great Rift Valley.


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Island Camp Baringo

Island Camp Baringo

The birding magnet of Island Camp Baringo occupies a part of Ol Kokwe Island In Lake Baringo, in the Great Rift Valley in Kenya.


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When to go to Rift Valley

Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Loldia House in Rift Valley


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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