The Best Time for a Kenya Safari from Mexico

For most Mexican travellers, the best time for a Kenya safari is July to October, when the wildebeest migration is usually in the Masai Mara, or January and February, when it is dry and prices are lower. Semana Santa is possible but often falls at the start of the long rains, so plan it with care.

Here is how the Mexican calendar lines up with Kenya’s seasons. Our Kenya safaris from Mexico page shows trips for each one.

July and August

The summer holidays fall in Kenya’s long dry season, which runs from June to October. The grass is short and animals gather near water, which makes them easier to find, and the migration usually reaches the Mara from late July.

It is also the busiest and most expensive time. Rates rise from July, and Mara entry for non-residents is reported at double the January to June level. River crossings depend on the herds, so nobody can promise you one. Book early.

September and October

If you can travel outside the school holidays, this is our pick. It is still dry, the migration is often still in the Mara, and the summer crowds have thinned.

Semana Santa

Easter week is a popular time to travel from Mexico, but in Kenya it usually overlaps with the start of the long rains, which tend to begin around March or April. Some years are dry for much of the period and others are not. Parks are quieter and lodge rates are lower, so it can still work if you are flexible, and we will tell you what to expect for your dates.

January and February

This is a short dry season with strong game viewing, and January to June is the lower price period on our trips. On the 12-day luxury safari, a couple pays $7,755 each from January to June rather than $12,570 from July to December. You will not see the migration in the Mara, but the big cats are there all year. For more on how season changes the price, read what a 5-star safari costs.

Where to go by season

The Mara is at its best from July to October. Amboseli’s elephants and, on a clear morning, Kilimanjaro are good for much of the year. Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Samburu suit the dry months, and Lake Nakuru, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a good place to look for rhino.

Before you choose

Check our guide to flights from Mexico, because fares change with the season, and Kenya travel requirements for Mexican citizens for the eTA and Kenya’s new insurance rule.

Last updated: 7 November 2026