5 reasons to travel to Kenya in February
Get stuck into a safari on the award winning Ol Pejeta Conservancy, enjoy big cats moments, iconic backdrops and exquisite beaches on a safari holiday to Kenya Safari in February.
February feels much like “a settling” here at The Safari Cottages. As the buzz of the festive season draws to a close we can get our teeth into doing what it is we love most; enjoying the magic of the African bush and sharing that with our guests. February is a wonderful time of year to visit Kenya and very popular with our friends in the Northern hemisphere as it offers sunseekers the chance to escape the winter chill and spend their days dosed in sunshine instead. So, if you’re seeking some respite from the darkness traveling to Kenya in February is a wonderful way to up your Vitamin D intake in the best way!
An elephant drinking x Britt Von Steinen
Curious young hyenas x Britt Von Steinen
Here are five things we love about living in and traveling around Kenya in February…
1) Hot and dry weather
You may well associate hot dry weather with dusty feet, crunchy contact lenses and crispy hair but in Ol Pejeta the ground is still fairly settled after the November rains and grasslands are still being grazed down, keeping the dust largely at bay. But if you travel North to Samburu and beyond, or down to the drier reserves and parks like Tsavo and Amboseli, you’ll find dramatic dusty landscapes. As global weather patterns shift you’ll find that some parts of Kenya do experience sporadic rain showers around this time of year but, for the most part, you’re likely to enjoy clear, hot days all around the country so don’t forget to pack your sunhat and a big ol’ tub of sunscreen!
2) Big cats and big action
With limited rainfall and smaller, scattered water sources drying up plains game like zebra, buffalo and gazelles tend to gather at a more limited selection of water sources this time of year. The lions, leopards and cheetah know what’s up because they’ll often be spotted here too, waiting for herds to gather for the evening drink and finding dinner for themselves. If you’re looking for predator action on your Kenya holiday then February is the month for you!
Male lions fighting over a female in Ol Pejeta x Kat Macleod
3) Lazy days at the beach
Temperatures on Kenya’s coast tend to soar at this time of year, often times reaching up to the late thirties (celcius) in the middle of the day. The brilliant sunshine and the spicy climate brings out the lizard in us all; whether you are someone who likes to rest or not, spending a day sipping a cocktail and reading a good book on the beach is a lovely finale to your safari. And who knows, maybe a little bit of forced rest is exactly what you need? Head to the North coast to escape the crowds or Diani if you’re seeking out the Zanzibar-like white sand beaches.
Top tip: If you’re nervous about the heat opt for an air-conditioned hotel room or accommodation right on the beach where you can enjoy the fresh sea breeze.
4) Mountain views
Did you know that, although Mt Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania, the the best views of this iconic mountain are actually from Amboseli National Park in Kenya. And as far as photographic backdrops go, the impressive peaks of Mt Kenya and Mt Kilimanjaro make for a pretty jaw dropping image! With the lack of rainfall around you’re likely to enjoy fantastic views of both of these iconic mountains during your February Kenya safari.
A giraffe on Ol Pejeta, infront of Mt Kenya at dusk
5) Couples and solo travellers get some quiet time
With most kids back at school, February is a popular time of year for couples and solo travellers who are looking for an adults-only safari experience to head out and enjoy a bit of R&R on their Kenya Safari Holiday. Our one-bedroom safari cottages make for a ideal escape if you’re searching for privacy and exclusivity and, as all our safari cottage are exclusive use, even families with very young children have their own dedicated space. So you’ll have a lovely bit of peace and quiet no matter what!
One bedroom safari cottage verandah
One bedroom safari cottage bedroom
BOOK YOUR FEBRUARY SAFARI TO KENYA
Bring your binos, your camera and book your February stay with us to experience one of Kenya’s most abundant wildlife conservancies; the award-winning Ol Pejeta Conservancy, at The Safari Cottages.
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Travelling to Kenya in April: What to Expect (And Why It Might Be Your Best Safari Yet)
Crisp mornings, unique photographic opportunities, the drama of an African rainstorm; Google may say that an April Kenya safari is a no-go but here’s why you why should ignore Google and do it anyway.
Traveling out of season is easily our favourite time to travel! April is, and always has been, low season in Kenya. Most camps and lodges in remote areas in Kenya shut down over April and much of May due to issues with access; heavy rainfall can make roads in the Masai Mara incredibly sticky and difficult to navigate or, in places like Samburu, rising river levels can flood them altogether. For this reason, tourism comes to a fairy dramatic stop on the first of April.
But on Ol Pejeta Conservancy the April showers usher in lush green landscapes, and the kind of atmospheric, cloud-layered light that photographers dream about. Temperatures remain comfortable, and the overall effect of the green season is one of transformation — the plains turn a deep, vivid green, the rivers run full, and the conservancy takes on a lushness that the dry months simply can't offer.
A crisp April morning on Ol Pejeta
Cosying up by the fire listening to the rain
Google may say that Kenya is a no-go in April but here are five great reasons to ignore Google and do it anyway…
1) THE LOWEST PRICES OF THE YEAR
Green season rates at many safari properties are lower than peak season, and flights into Nairobi — the gateway to Kenya and to Ol Pejeta — tend to be more available and more competitively priced. For families or guests working with a budget, April can represent exceptional value without any real compromise on the experience. This includes the Easter school holidays; camps and lodges won’t hike up their prices for an otherwise expensive time to take the family on holiday elsewhere in the world.
2) GET THE PLACE ALL TO YOURSELF
Traveling out of season means space! It means you’re not fighting through mountains of safari vehicles to enjoy your sightings or needing to make a dinner reservation months in advance in one of Nairobi’s top restaurants. April is one of the quieter months on Ol Pejeta Conservancy. For guests who value the feeling of having the bush to themselves — of sitting with a sighting without another vehicle appearing — this is a significant advantage. The intimacy of the experience increases noticeably.
A rainstorm building on Ol Pejeta in early April © Kathrine Macleod
Is April a Good Time to See Wildlife in Kenya?
This is the question most travellers ask first, and the answer is more positive than many expect.
Wildlife at Ol Pejeta is resident year-round. The elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards, cheetahs and the extraordinary diversity of plains game that call this conservancy home don't migrate away in April — they stay, and they're often easier to find than the headline numbers suggest.
During the green season, predator activity remains strong. Lions and cheetahs are well-fed and relatively visible on the open plains. Elephants move through the conservancy in relaxed family groups, drawn to the abundance of fresh vegetation and water. Rhino sightings — one of Ol Pejeta's greatest strengths at any time of year — are consistent and rewarding.
The one honest caveat is visibility. When vegetation is at its most lush, spotting game in wooded areas can require a little more patience than in the stripped-back dry season. But with a skilled, experienced guide and the intimate knowledge of the conservancy that comes with living here, those sightings come — and when they do, the setting makes them feel genuinely cinematic.
Afternoon cloud cover cools temperatures, and a pride of lions prepares to hunt in the mid-afternoon
3) BEAT THE HEAT
There is something wonderful about the rain in Africa; it’s refreshing and full of life and, after a long, hot, dry season, we welcome the cooler temperatures that the April rains offer with open arms. If you are sensitive to heat, then you too may well enjoy this month of reprieve from the otherwise harsh African sun.
4) WILD RAINSTORMS AND WILD ADVENTURES
The April rains are wild and powerful showers that mostly hit us in the afternoons. We’ll so often hear the distant rumble of thunder whilst we have lunch, the wind picks up a little and the birds are suddenly excitable. We can’t help ourselves; the thrill of an impending African rainstorm never really goes away. We get swept up in it, pour a cup of tea and enjoy the meditative sound of heavy raindrops against the steel rooftops. And if you’re out on the plains when the rains hit then hold on tight; you’ll be slipping and sliding all the way home and you may even have to pop out to help your guide push the vehicle out a muddy patch, turning a pretty standard safari into an African adventure!
*Top top: traveling to Kenya in April? Pack some light waterproof/wellington boots that will keep your toes warm and ward off the mud and pack clothing that you don’t mind getting a little dirty. Most camps will supply you with an umbrella in your room but it’s always helpful to pack a light waterproof jacket too.
5) UNIQUE WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
We’ve all seen a photograph of a lion but wildlife photography in the rainy season is really something else! Overcast skies diffuse the harsh African sun into something photographers call "natural softbox" light. Dramatic cloud formations build over the plains in the afternoons. The green backdrop makes wildlife portraits vivid and striking. And let’s talk about the effects of the rain itself; a herd of giraffe ambling across a stormy landscape, cheetahs jumping over puddles and navigating high rivers, rhinos rolling about in decedent mud baths and a slow shutter capturing the rainfall or a bird shaking off its wet feathers. Kenya in April offers you the chance to get the shot that no one else gets!
Cheetahs in the Masai Mara © Shivang Mehta
6) HELP CONSERVATION
Okay okay we said five, but we’re sneaking in another reason to book your April safari because it’s a really important one. A lot of conservancies, like Ol Pejeta, rely heavily on tourism to keep them going and they often struggle to push through quieter months like April and May. Choosing to travel in April means you’re giving these organisations vital aid in tough times; your conservancy fee is more valuable than ever, literally paying ranger salaries and keeping electric fences that protect endangered and critically endangered wildlife operational.
Click here to learn more about how your visit to Ol Pejeta is supporting wildlife conservation.
The Safari Cottages: Open All Year Round
The Safari Cottages are open twelve months of the year, and April is no exception. We've welcomed guests through every season the Laikipia region offers — the heat of January, the long rains of April, the drama of the peak dry months — and each has its own distinct character and rewards.
What stays constant is the experience we offer: a private guide, a dedicated vehicle, a personal chef, and a completely flexible schedule built around you. If an April morning produces spectacular light and your guide spots lion cubs near the northern sector, you stay as long as you like. If an afternoon shower rolls in earlier than expected, you're back at the cottage with a fire lit and tea ready before the heaviest rain arrives.
April at Ol Pejeta is not a compromise. It's a different kind of safari — greener, quieter, more atmospheric, and for guests who know to look for it, every bit as rewarding as the months that fill up first.
BOOK YOUR APRIL SAFARI TO KENYA
Take advantage of our absolute lowest rates, get the place to yourself and come visit us this April.
Planning a Kenya Safari in April: Quick Tips
Before you go, a few practical notes worth keeping in mind:
Pack layers. April mornings can be cool at altitude, and the rain brings a freshness to the evenings that makes a light fleece genuinely useful. Waterproof layers are worth bringing, though you're unlikely to need them for full days at a time.
Embrace the afternoons. If showers do arrive, they typically do so in the mid to late afternoon — which, as it happens, is the perfect time for a long lunch, a rest, or a quiet hour reading on the verandah. The bush has its own rhythm in April, and it suits a slower pace beautifully.
Don't be put off by online forums. Travel forums are full of well-meaning advice steering visitors away from Kenya in April. Much of it is based on outdated information, experience of different parts of the country, or a genuine lack of familiarity with what the long rains actually look and feel like on the ground. Talk to people who live here.
Book with confidence. April availability at quality properties is generally better than peak season, but it does fill — particularly around Easter, which falls in April most years and brings a noticeable uptick in family bookings. If April is your window, book sooner rather than later.
Kenya in April is one of East Africa's best-kept secrets. The guests who discover it tend to come back for it.
The Safari Cottages are open all year round and ready to welcome you in April — start planning your green season safari.
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5 reasons to travel to Kenya in January
Welcome the new year on a Kenya Safari in January to get your year off to an incredible start! Incredible wildlife, sweeping wild spaces and moments that will stick with you forever from your home-away-from-home at The Safari Cottages. Here are five things we love about Kenya in January.
The magic of a fresh, new year is as palpable in Kenya’s town, villages, open plains and beaches as it is anywhere else in the world. There are few things we love more than waking up to watch the sun rise over Ol Pejeta Conservancy’s expansive wilderness as it lights up Mt Kenya on the first day of the year. The magic doesn’t end on day one though; nothing here pauses, life simply goes on, but something about us has changed; we’re seeing it all unfold through fresh new eyes.
Watching a rhino out on the plains x Britt Von Steinen
An evening campfire x Britt Von Steinen
The November rains usually settle by the middle of December and in January, on Ol Pejeta, we see large herds of plains game enjoying the bounty of the rainy season, covering the plains in large herds with lots of excited little ones.
As well as jubilant baby zebras, here are five more things we love about Kenya in January…
1) Excellent game viewing
By January we are well and truly into the dry season where, aside from the occasional afternoon shower, the weather is often sunny and wonderfully warm. A stark contrast to the lush green landscapes of the November rains. With grasslands largely munched down game viewing is a little easier as the cats can’t hide in the long grass; this makes stalking their prey a little more challenging but spotting them a little easier.
2) Walking weather
If you love walking and hiking, then January is the time for you. With more predictably drier weather you can enjoy some of the country’s most beautiful hikes like Mt Kenya and Mt Longonot. And on the country’s wide open plains this is a great time for bush walks because visibility in the bush is excellent and you’ll not likely get your boots muddied. Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages is a great place to acclimate before your Mt Kenya hike and to unwind afterward and we are often a resting place for hikers at this time of year.
3) Hit the beach!
January is easily one of the best times of the year to be on the Kenyan coast. After your safari head to Diani, Watamu, Malindi or Lamu to unwind and enjoy tropical, warm weather whilst you sip a margarita by the pool and clear waters with excellent visibility for diving and snorkeling.
Lions on a buffalo kill x Britt Von Steinen
4) Warm, starry nights.
The warmer daytime weather that is so often associated with a January Kenya safari often extends into the evenings too. Whilst we’re at 1,800m (6,000ft) above sea level and you’ll still need your fleece and socks, the real chill of the rainy months has well and truly settled down. And with clear skies we’re enjoying excellent star gazing in the evenings too.
5) Mid/late January: the sweet spot
The start of January is considered high season around most of the country and, as such, prices are elevated and you’re encouraged to book your January Kenya holiday far in advance to ensure you can get the space that you want. But, around the middle of the month, things quieten down a little bit and the 6 weeks that follow herald in a bit of a sweet spot where the wildlife is truly excellent, weather is reasonably reliable and prices are lower.
BOOK YOUR JANUARY SAFARI TO KENYA
Welcome the New Year on a Kenya Safari in January to get your year off to an unforgettable start filled with incredible wildlife, sweeping wild spaces and moments that will stick with you forever from your home-away-from-home at The Safari Cottages.
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5 reasons to travel to Kenya in December
If you’re wondering if it’s a good idea to escape the Christmas chaos and spend December on safari in Kenya this year the answer is absolutely yes! Here’s why you need to stop what you’re doing and book that trip immediately.
The first couple of weeks of December in Kenya are considered “shoulder season, then “peak season” returns over the Christmas and New Year period as the majority of Kenyans celebrate this time of year and schools are closed so families are out and about enjoying all our beautiful country has to offer. You can expect sporadic showers if you travel to Kenya in December; a bit of a hangover from the November “short rains” but generally clear skies, lovely green landscapes and, for the most part, sunshine-filled days at the beach. December is a wonderful month to travel to Kenya! Here are five reasons why we love it…
Lions hunting on Ol Pejeta
1) Escape the chaos of the festive season.
If you’re someone who gets swept up and overwhelmed by Christmas shopping, office parties and family flying in from all over the world and sleeping on your sofa then you’re going to love the quiet solitude and stillness of the Kenyan bush instead! No crowds, no rushing; this is the ideal escape from the Western world and it’s festive season chaos.
2) Shoulder season pricing and crowds.
For the most part, you can expect low or mid-season pricing throughout November and into the first couple of weeks of December. Not only are you able to enjoy reasonable prices and fewer crowds but the weather is also slowly clearing, making way for expansive skies and rolling grassland where plains game thrive and, as a result, predators do too. Sneak your visit in before the 20th December to take advantage of this lovely little pre-Christmas pause.
3) Spend Christmas on safari!
Imagine a Christmas where you don’t have to do a lick of cooking or cleaning! Even better, you get to wake up in the bush, listening to lions whilst you sip eggnog under the African stars and your boxing day walk is one surrounded by elephants, giraffes and zebras. Choosing to go on safari to Kenya in December means you’re signing up for a unique Christmas experience you’ll never forget.
4) Party time.
If you’re up for a good time, you’ve come to the right place. There’s nothing Kenyans love more than a celebration. Festivities take over in the cities and major resorts, and beach parties that will keep you on the dance floor until sunrise are famous in the coastal regions of Mombasa, Diania and Malindi. At The Safari Cottages we’re very respectful of our neighbours (the wildlife) so you won’t find any raving midnight parties here but our staff share a song and dance around the fire and the chefs whip up an incredible Christmas spread that you’ll need to be wearing your comfiest, stretchiest pants to enjoy.
5) Birders paradise.
If you’re a birder then you’ll definitely want to be planning your Kenya safari in December as this is well known to be the best time of year for birds. Although bird numbers on the conservancy are impressive year round, thousands of migratory species from Eurasia and North Africa start to arrive in November and December, including the European bee-eater, Abdims stork and Steppe eagle.
BOOK YOUR DECEMBER SAFARI TO KENYA
There’s something truly magical about Ol Pejeta in December; the rush of the festive season feels a million miles away and we revel in the peace and quiet of bush. If you’re looking for an escape from the Christmas chaos, you’ve found it!
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5 reasons to travel to Kenya in September
If you’re considering booking your safari to Kenya in September then here are five reason why this is your best idea yet!
September is considered “high season” in Kenya but, if you’re crowd-averse, don’t let that deter you from your visit. This is a wonderful time of year and there is a reason that so many choose to travel in high season months. If you’re considering a Kenya safari holiday in September then here are five reasons why it’s your best idea yet!
1) It’s great for couples and adult travellers
For so much of the world, schools reopen in September after the Summer break and so families are no longer traveling. That means better availability and more options to choose from when it comes to finding lodging that suits you. It also means there is less competition for seats on airlines. At The Safari Cottages our one-bedroom safari cottages are absolutely ideal for couples looking for privacy and exclusivity; they come with a private chef and a dedicated, expert guide and vehicle. What a pleasure!
2) You can leave your umbrella at home
Whilst we can never say never, September is usually a very dry time of year; you may be treated to the occasional afternoon shower, if you’re lucky. That means there’s a very low risk of being rained in and not able to go out and enjoy the bush and, if you’re visiting the coast, you can expect predictably clear skies and warm weather for your days lounging on the beach.
3) Excellent game viewing
The drier weather means shorter grass so it’s easier to spot lions lounging out on the plains and track cheetahs as they race across the grassland on a hunt. The lack of rainfall also means that water sources are more concentrated so predicting when and where you can see wildlife at popular waterholes is more accurate. At The Safari Cottages we’re watching elephants, giraffe, rhino, buffalo and more frolicking in the river and resting in the near by shady trees every time we sit down for a meal.
4) The great migration
Many people choose to travel to Kenya between July - October to witness the great migration of wildebeest and zebra from the Serengeti into the Masai Mara. And for good reason; it’s a site to behold! We’d recommend starting your safari in Laikipia then flying down to the Masai Mara on a direct flight - this way you’ll get to see more of the country and enjoy the quiet of the highlands where you can settle in to your safari before you head the busy Masai Mara to witness one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
5) The start of whale shark season
With more predictable, excellent weather conditions across East Africa this is a great time for the classic “bush and beach” safari itinerary. Not only are the waters clear and beautiful but it’s the start of the whale shark season in East Africa and if seeing these incredible gentle giants is on your bucket list then you have a strong chance of being able to tick that one off!
BOOK YOUR SEPTEMBER SAFARI TO KENYA
Wildlife is abundant year-round in Ol Pejeta but there is something really wonderful about September; the lions are thriving and baby animals are popping up at every turn. We also tend to conduct our safari activities primarily in the wilderness area of the conservancy at this time, which has restricted access and means that game viewing isn’t as the mercy of big crowds of vehicles, as it is in the country’s national parks and reserves. It’s such a treat to have such privacy on your safari despite traveling during one of the busiest months of the year!
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Kenya Safari in May: Why It's One of the Best Months to Visit (And Why Most People Don't Know It)
Think Kenya in May is a bad idea? Think again. The Safari Cottages are open all year on all-weather roads — here's why May might be your best safari yet.
If you've Googled "Kenya safari in May" and come away convinced it's a mistake, you're not alone. The travel internet is full of warnings about the rainy season, closed camps, and muddy roads. Bu the truth is most of it is outdated, overstated, or simply doesn't apply to Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
We've lived and worked here through more than twenty Mays. We know what it actually looks like on the ground. And what it looks like is extraordinary. Here's the truth about a Kenya safari in May — and why it might be the best decision you make this year.
Is May a Good Time for a Kenya Safari?
The honest answer is yes — and in several important ways, it's better than the months everyone fights over. The "long rains" that traditionally defined April and May across Kenya are changing. Our own rainfall records over the past decade show that May — particularly the second half of the month — is now drier than many August days. Climate patterns have shifted, and the blanket advice to avoid East Africa in May simply hasn't caught up with the reality on the ground.
More practically: The Safari Cottages are open throughout May, and we game drive on all-weather roads across Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Whatever the sky decides to do, your game drives happen. The wildlife doesn't take a rain day, and neither do we.
A cheetah wandering the plains of Ol Pejeta in May
5 Reasons a Kenya Safari in May Is Worth Booking
1. The Wildlife Is Exceptional — and Often Unseen
May is one of the most rewarding months for wildlife at Ol Pejeta, and one of the least appreciated.
The recent rains bring an explosion of fresh vegetation across the conservancy — and with it, plains game including giraffe, rhinos, eland, zebra and more are out in enormous numbers. It's one of the most reliable windows of the year for extended, close rhino sightings, including encounters with Ol Pejeta's critically endangered northern white rhinos.
Big cats remain highly active. Lion prides patrol the open plains, cheetahs work the grasslands, and elephant family groups move through the conservancy in relaxed, unhurried herds. There's no shortage of sightings — just a shortage of other people trying to see them.
Which brings us to point two.
2. You'll Have the Conservancy Almost to Yourselves
This is the quiet secret of a May safari: most people aren't here.
Because the travel internet steers visitors away from Kenya in May, the conservancy is at its least crowded. For guests at The Safari Cottages — where every stay is entirely private by design — this means game drives with no other vehicles at sightings, the ability to sit quietly with a lion pride for as long as you like, and a stillness to the bush that peak-season visitors rarely experience.
If you've ever watched a safari video and thought "I wish it was that quiet," a May safari at Ol Pejeta is what you're looking for.
3. It's One of the Best Value Months of the Year
Most properties that remain open in May operate on low season rates, making it one of the most cost-effective times to experience a high-quality Kenya safari. At The Safari Cottages, our low season pricing runs from April through to mid-June — meaning May guests access a fully private, exclusive-use safari experience (private guide, private vehicle, private chef, flexible schedule) at a significantly lower rate than the same experience in July or August.
It's worth being clear about what that means in practice: you're not getting a lesser safari. You're getting the same private guide, the same vehicle, the same chef, the same wildlife — at a lower price, with more of the conservancy to yourself. What’s not to love?
For families, couples, or anyone balancing quality with budget, May is worth looking at seriously.
An elephants wanders up the river over lunch at The Safari Cottages
4. Ol Pejeta Is Breathtakingly Beautiful in the Green Season
There are two versions of Ol Pejeta. The dry-season version — golden, dramatic, stripped-back — is the one that fills most safari brochures. The green-season version is something else entirely.
After the April rains, the conservancy transforms. The plains turn a deep, vivid green. Rivers run full. Dams overflow. Wildflowers appear across the grassland. The light softens and so does the pace.
May is arguably the most photogenic month of the year at Ol Pejeta. The rich green backdrop makes wildlife portraits striking. Occassional overcast skies diffuse the harsh midday sun, creating a softbox effect that wildlife photographers love. And the night skies — cleared by the passing rains — are exceptional. Our team of askaris will show you the southern constellations on any clear evening whilst you sip your gin and tonic around the campfire, and there are a lot of them in May.
Stars over Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages
5. It's Baby Season
Few things make a game drive more joyful than newborns, and May delivers them in abundance.
The rainfall triggers a wave of births across the conservancy as animals take advantage of the food availability. Baby zebras, still unsteady, stay close to their mothers on the open plains. Hyena cubs tumble around den entrances in the early morning. Elephant calves wade cautiously through the full dams. Warthog piglets sprint behind their parents in single file at impressive speed.
This is the conservancy at its most alive — and for families travelling with children, or anyone who wants their safari to feel genuinely joyful rather than just spectacular, May is quietly one of the best months of the year.
What About the Rain?
It's a fair question, and one worth answering directly.
May can bring rain. Typically in concentrated bursts — often in the afternoon or evening — rather than all-day drizzle. Mornings are frequently clear and cool, which is when most game drives happen. When rain does arrive, it tends to be dramatic and brief, and it passes to leave the air clean, the light extraordinary, and the wildlife moving.
Because The Safari Cottages operate on all-weather roads throughout Ol Pejeta, rain doesn't limit where we can drive or what we can see. Other parts of Kenya are more affected by May weather — particularly areas reliant on dirt tracks or lower-lying terrain. Ol Pejeta's road network and our private vehicle mean the experience is consistent regardless of conditions.
In short: pack a light waterproof, embrace the drama of a Laikipia rainstorm, and don't let the forecast stop you.
Watching lions on an afternoon game drive - a rain storm building in the background
Why Most Camps Close in May — And Why We Don't
Here's the competitive context that's worth knowing: several of Kenya's well-known safari camps, including some on Ol Pejeta itself, close in May for maintenance or due to access challenges. We don't. The Safari Cottages are open twelve months of the year. Our all-weather road access means we've never had a reason to close, and we've never turned away a May guest due to conditions.
If May is your window — because of school calendars, work schedules, budget, or simply a preference for quieter, more atmospheric travel — there are fewer options than in peak season. We're one of the best ones. And we're open.
What a May Safari Looks Like at The Safari Cottages
Your days in May have a rhythm that feels completely unhurried.
Early morning game drives begin just before sunrise — the air cool, the light extraordinary, the wildlife at its most active. White rhinos graze on open plains. Cheetahs prowl through the long grass. Elephants meander the riverline whilst you sip your morning coffee and joke with your guide.
You return for a late breakfast — prepared by your private chef, served at your pace, on your verandah or in the garden. The mid-morning hours are for coffee, reading, birdwatching from the deck, or simply sitting and listening.
If an afternoon shower arrives, it does so while you're inside, comfortable, and watching the sky change from somewhere you'd want to be anyway. By the time the evening drive rolls around, the plains smell extraordinary and the light is exceptional.
Sundowners in the bush, or perhaps cozied up by your fire at home. Dinner served to your liking, cooked by your private chef.
May at Ol Pejeta is quietly one of the best versions of a Kenya safari. It just doesn't advertise itself loudly enough.
The Safari Cottages are open in May, operating on all-weather roads, with full private guiding, your own vehicle, and low season rates in effect.
VIEW OUR RATES HERE AND CONTACT US TO BOOK YOUR STAY
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Best Time to Visit Kenya for a Safari: A Month-by-Month Guide
When is the best time to visit Kenya for a safari? Our month-by-month guide covers wildlife, weather, costs and crowds for every season — written by people who live at Ol Pejeta Conservancy year-round.
You've decided Kenya is the destination. Now comes the question everyone asks: when's the best time to go?
The honest answer — and we say this as people who live here twelve months a year — is that Kenya is extraordinary in every season! The wildlife doesn't migrate away from Ol Pejeta. The landscape doesn't stop being spectacular when it rains. But different months absolutely do offer different experiences, and understanding what to expect from each one will help you choose the trip that's right for you.
This is our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Kenya for a safari.
January to March: Dry, Hot and Excellent for Wildlife
January is a tale of two halves. The first two weeks carry over the festive season's higher prices and visitor numbers, but from mid-January the country quietens, rates drop to mid-season levels and the experience noticeably opens up. February and March are, in our view, some of the most underrated months on the Kenya safari calendar.
What to expect: Dry, warm conditions across most of the country. The grass is beginning to thin after the short rains, which makes wildlife easier to spot. Plains game — zebra, wildebeest, gazelle — give birth in February and March ahead of the April rains, which in turn drives a noticeable uptick in predator activity. Lions, cheetahs and leopards are well-fed and highly visible. Temperatures at Ol Pejeta sit comfortably in the mid-twenties during the day, dropping pleasantly in the evenings.
Wildlife highlight: February and March are among the best months for big cat sightings at Ol Pejeta, The Masai Mara, Samburu region and Amboseli and surrounds. The open plains and active predators make for some of the most compelling game drive experiences of the year.
Crowds and cost: Low to mid-season. Good availability, lower rates than peak, and private conservancies especially feel very spacious.
Golden light: March on Ol Pejeta
April to May: The Green Season — and Why It's Worth Reconsidering
April and May have a reputation in Kenya that we'd suggest you consider with an open mind. Historically known as "the long rains," they're still widely treated as a red flag, but global weather patterns are shifting, and this rule doesn't hold as firmly as it did ten years ago.
What to expect: Rains do arrive in April most years, typically as powerful afternoon showers rather than all-day downpours. The conservancy turns a vivid, deep green almost overnight. The plains become lush and photogenic in a way the dry season simply can't match. Drier conditions largely return by mid-May, and by the end of May many properties have reopened for the season. The practical reality is that a lot of camps close in April and May for maintenance, and some more remote locations struggle with road access. At Ol Pejeta, our all-weather roads run regardless of rainfall — game drives go out every morning and afternoon, whatever the forecast. We are open all year.
Wildlife highlight: Green season wildlife photography is extraordinary. Dramatic cloud formations, diffuse light, vivid backdrops and animals in peak condition after abundant water and vegetation. Hyena pups are commonly sighted in April. Birdlife is at its most active and diverse.
Crowds and cost: The lowest rates of the year. Some of our guests choose April and May precisely because they have the stunning wilderness almost entirely to themselves. If that kind of solitude is what you're looking for, this is the window.
Hyena pups on Ol Pejeta
Kite surfing in Diani
June: Shoulder Season — the Best of Both Worlds
June is an incredibly rewarding month to travel to Kenya, and one of the most underbooked. Following the rains, the landscape is still lush and green but the skies are clearing and the grass is beginning to thin. At Ol Pejeta and around most of the country things are still pretty quiet, rates are still at or near low-season levels, and the dry season conditions that make wildlife viewing so reliable are already beginning to arrive.
What to expect: Comfortable temperatures, clearing skies and increasingly good game viewing as vegetation opens up. Predators are active. The Big Five are consistently present on Ol Pejeta year-round, and June offers them in ideal conditions — not yet the crowds of July and August, not the uncertainty of the rains.
Wildlife highlight: June is excellent for cheetah sightings. As the grass thins, these open-plains hunters become much easier to find and observe. Early June also sees the beginnings of the Great Migration's movement north toward Kenya from Tanzania's Serengeti. No major herd movement yet, but they are starting to trickle in.
A note on the coast: Beaches in northern Kenya — particularly around Watamu — can be affected by seaweed in early June. This is harmless but worth knowing if a beach extension is part of your plan.
Crowds and cost: Shoulder season. Excellent value and good availability before July's surge.
July to October: Peak Season — Kenya's Finest Safari Months
This is Kenya's most celebrated safari window, and the reputation is deserved. The dry season is in full effect, the grass is at its shortest, wildlife concentrates around permanent water sources and the sightings are at their most prolonged and reliable. July also marks the beginning of the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Masai Mara — one of the most spectacular wildlife events on earth — which draws significant numbers of visitors and photographers to Kenya's most famous reserve.
What to expect: Clear skies, warm days and cool nights. At Ol Pejeta, temperatures sit comfortably in the low-to-mid twenties during the day. The conservancy is at its most open, game drives are consistently productive, and the quality of the light — particularly in the late afternoon — is exceptional.
July and August represent peak season at most Kenya properties. Visitor numbers are at their highest and rates reflect that. September and October are, in our view, among the very best months to visit: the dry season conditions remain excellent, the intensity of high summer has eased, and the conservancy is noticeably quieter than it was in August.
Wildlife highlight: The dry season is the best time of year to see the Big Five reliably and repeatedly. Elephants gather in large family groups around river systems. Rhinos — both black and southern white — are consistently visible on the open plains of Ol Pejeta. Lion prides are active and predictable. And guided bush walks are at their most rewarding, with shorter grass giving a clearer view of the landscape on foot.
Crowds and cost: Peak season rates across the board. Advance booking is strongly recommended for July and August in particular.
The famous Mara river crossings
November: Short Rains — Dramatic Light and Good Value
November marks the beginning of Kenya's short rains, which typically run through to mid-December. These are shorter and less intense than the long rains — usually concentrated in afternoon showers — and most properties remain fully open throughout.
What to expect: A greening landscape, dramatic skies and light that photographers reliably describe as extraordinary. Afternoon cloud formations build over the plains, and the combination of vivid green grass and dramatic weather makes for genuinely cinematic game drive conditions. Wildlife viewing remains strong throughout November — the resident species at Ol Pejeta are here year-round.
Tourist numbers begin to ease in November as the migration season in the Mara winds down, which means a quieter conservancy and rates that reflect it.
Wildlife highlight: November is excellent for birdwatching. Migratory species arrive in significant numbers from Europe and Asia, joining Ol Pejeta's resident population of over 300 species. If birdwatching is a priority, this is one of the best months.
Crowds and cost: Shoulder to low season. Good availability and value before the December surge.
December: Festive Season — Vibrant, Expensive, and Worth It
December splits neatly in two. Early December is much like November — the short rains are finishing, wildlife is thriving after the rains, and the conservancy is quieter than high season. From mid-December, the festive season begins in earnest. This is the busiest and most expensive time to visit Kenya, but it's also one of the most rewarding: the weather is largely clearing to sunny skies, wildlife is in excellent condition, and the energy of the season — particularly on the coast — is hard to match.
Wildlife highlight: December wildlife viewing is excellent, with the rains having brought the plains to life and predator activity running high. This is also when The Safari Cottages feels particularly special — fires lit in the evenings, Christmas on the verandah, stars over the conservancy.
Crowds and cost: High season rates from mid-December through early January. Book well in advance.
On safari with The Safari Cottages in Ol Pejeta
A Note on Rainfall and Changing Weather Patterns
One thing we'd ask you to take from this guide: Kenya's seasons are not as fixed as they once were. Global weather patterns are shifting, and the calendar rules that held firmly twenty years ago are now guidelines rather than guarantees. We have had dry Aprils and wet Julys. We've had years where the short rains didn't arrive until December.
Our honest advice: travel for the wildlife, not the weather. At Ol Pejeta, the animals are here every month of the year. The experience changes with the season, but it never disappoints.
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The dry season from July to October offers the most reliable wildlife viewing, with thinning grass, concentrating animals and clear skies. January to March is a quieter, more affordable alternative with excellent conditions. June is an outstanding shoulder-season choice. But here at Ol Pejeta every month is rewarding and we are open all year.
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April and May are the lowest-priced months at most Kenya properties, including The Safari Cottages. Though bear in mind that a lot of camps will be closed during this time so you may have less options. Rates drop significantly for those that remain open and wildlife areas are at their quietest. November and early December also offer good value with better weather than the long rains.
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The Great Wildebeest Migration reaches Kenya's Masai Mara from approximately July through October, with the dramatic river crossings typically peaking in August and September. The migration is specific to the Masai Mara region and is not visible from Ol Pejeta in Laikipia.
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Less so than the conventional wisdom suggests. Rains do arrive in April most years, but at Ol Pejeta our all-weather roads mean game drives run regardless of conditions. The green season offers extraordinary photography, much lower rates and a conservancy almost entirely to yourself. Many of our guests choose April specifically for the solitude.
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Kenya sits on the equator, which means temperatures are broadly consistent year-round — warm days and cool evenings. Laikipia's altitude (around 1,700 metres) means The Safari Cottages is cooler than the coast, with most morning game drives requiring a fleece. The main variables are rainfall: concentrated in April–May and November–December, and the dryness of the landscape, which affects vegetation and wildlife visibility.
Planning your route around Kenya? Our guide to choosing the best Kenya safari itinerary covers the logistics of combining Ol Pejeta with other destinations.
Keep reading for more travel information to inspire your Kenya safari holiday
Five nights at The Safari Cottages is a different kind of safari altogether. You move from ticking animals off a sighting list to living in rhythm with the bush. The extra days unlock full-day trips out, unhurried night drives and encounters with rhinos you can’t have anywhere else in the world. Here's exactly how to structure it.