Best Time To Travel To: Kenya
Kenya is located in East Africa between 5°North to 5°South. Thus, the country is located in the area of equatorial Africa. But the climate in Kenya is not necessarily typical for a country in this climatic zone. There are probably some reasons for this, but one of the main reasons might be the variety of landscapes. In addition, the country is only slightly affected by some typical weather phenomena.
On the Indian Ocean, there is a large coastal area. In the interior, however, there are several mountain ranges that rise up to 1,500 meters. In addition, there are some very high mountains with more than 5,000 meters, which are snow-covered throughout the year. As already mentioned, Kenya's climate is not typical for equatorial Africa. Thus, Kenya is a quite dry country. From April to October, the country is passed by clouds and rain rather quickly and hardly noticeable. The monsoons have a comparatively small effect in the country. The temperatures in Kenya are surprisingly often rather moderate, which is mainly due to the many high altitudes with somewhat milder temperatures. Here, actually only the coastal areas or the lowlands as such make a difference. There you have quite high temperatures, but also paired with a high humidity. But especially near the coast you don't feel the high humidity so much because of the sea breezes.
There are two rainy seasons in the country - from March to May and from November to December. In between there are dry phases. Typically equatorial is the small temperature difference between the months.
The coastal region
Normally, the coastal region receives medium amounts of rainfall. The wettest months are April and May. Less rainfall then brings the phase from October to November. Basically, the north of the coastal areas is somewhat drier. Temperatures on the coasts are quite high throughout the year, coupled with high humidity. However, the whole thing is quite bearable, because you can usually count on pleasant breezes from the sea. Nevertheless, you have to reckon with a certain sultriness at night. Typical for the region is e.g. the climate table of Mombasa.
Border region in the north, lower altitudes inland
In the area it rains relatively little, on average you hardly get more than 500mm of rainfall per year, in some areas the annual rainfall is even less than 250mm. Temperatures are high throughout the year and it is mostly sunny, in some places you even have to deal with desert-like areas. However, the climate is described as quite pleasant and healthy throughout the year.
Kenya's highlands
The highlands are generally between 1,200 meters to about 2,100 meters and extend across the center and west as well as parts of the east to the border with Uganda. Even though it is rainier than other parts, it also doesn't rain quite as much, with just over 1,200mm in total. But at least the rainfall is enough that the region can be used for agriculture. Basically, it is a bit more rainy around Lake Victoria. The sunniest time is normally from December to March. Quite cloudy with light rain is normal the phase from June to September. During this phase it can get very cool in the evenings, which is why it is often referred to as winter in the highlands. Typical for the region is the climate in Nairobi.
The mountain regions
Besides the highlands, there are some peaks that rise above 2,500 meters. Well known are for example Mount Elgon (4.321 meters) and Mount Kenya (5.199 meters). In the high altitudes you have to expect frost from time to time and at the very top there can be snow all year round - this is especially true for Mount Kenya.
When is the best time to travel to Kenya
The best time to travel to Kenya is between December and March and July to October. However, the highlands are rather recommended between December and March, because between June and September it is always cloudy. This phase is also called winter in the highlands. The coast, however, is almost a year-round destination, there are cutbacks here perhaps in April and May. These months are considered the rainiest months for the coast. Also of year-round interest are the border regions in the north and the lower elevations inland with their year-round sunny and relatively dry climate.
