The best time for a Kenya safari is the long dry season, July to October, when animals gather near water and the Great Migration is usually in the Masai Mara. For Irish families that lines up neatly with the summer holidays. The short dry season, roughly January to February, is the other strong window, and the February mid-term falls right in it.
Here is how each part of the year plays out, with the 2026/27 Irish school holiday dates alongside.
Kenya's seasons in brief
| Months | Weather | What it means for a safari |
|---|---|---|
| Jan to Feb | Short dry season, warm | Good game viewing and green after the short rains; the migration herds are calving in Tanzania's southern Serengeti, so the Mara has its resident wildlife |
| Mar to May | Long rains, heaviest in April and May | Lower prices and fewer vehicles; some roads and camps close |
| Jun | Dry season begins | Good value before peak rates; grass still long in places |
| Jul to Oct | Long dry season | Peak season; the migration is usually in the Mara from about July to September or October |
| Nov to Dec | Short rains, mostly afternoon showers | Quieter in November; busy and expensive over Christmas |
The rains are less predictable than they used to be, so treat these as tendencies rather than fixed dates. Our month-by-month guide to Kenya's seasons covers each park in more detail.
Irish school holidays 2026/27 and what to expect
| Holiday | Dates | Safari conditions |
|---|---|---|
| October mid-term | 26 to 30 October 2026 | End of the dry season. The migration herds are often moving south by now, but resident wildlife is good. |
| Christmas | 22 December 2026 to 5 January 2027 | Mostly dry after the short rains. The busiest and dearest time of year, so book well ahead. |
| February mid-term | 15 to 19 February 2027 (post-primary) | Short dry season. One of the best-value good-weather weeks. |
| Easter | 19 March to 2 April 2027 (schools reopen 5 April) | Easter is early in 2027. Expect the first of the long rains, quieter parks and lower rates. |
| Summer | From early June (post-primary); primary schools usually finish in late June | June is good value. July and August are peak migration months. |
Dates are from the Department of Education's standardised school year. A five-day mid-term break suits a short Mara trip; for anything longer you will need to add annual leave either side.
Travelling in July and August
This is when most Irish families can travel, and it is also when the herds of wildebeest and zebra are usually in the Masai Mara. River crossings happen on the animals' schedule, not ours, so no one can promise you will see one, but your guide will know where the herds have been gathering that week.
It is also peak season. The Mara entry fee is US$200 per adult per day from July, and the best small camps fill 6 to 12 months ahead. If you want August, book the safari by the new year and the flights from Dublin after that.
Value outside the peak
June and the February mid-term are the two windows we suggest most often to people watching the budget. The weather is generally dry, the Mara fee is US$100 per day until the end of June, and lodges charge less. Late October is also worth a look if you do not mind missing the bulk of the migration.
Our breakdown of safari costs from Ireland shows how much the season changes the final price.
Pairing the season with a route
In the dry months almost any route works. In the green season, a shorter road trip such as the Mara with Amboseli or Lake Nakuru is easier than a long circuit. If you are travelling at Christmas or Easter, adding a few days on the coast spreads the cost of the long flight, and our guide to combining a safari with the beach explains how.
When you have a date in mind, look through our safaris for travellers from Ireland or send us your dates for a route and a written price.
Last updated: 15 October 2026
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