Best Times To Book A Kenya Safari
                     Best Times To Book A Kenya Safari 
 
Travel Company: Dav Safaris 
Website: www.davsafaris.com  
Email: [email protected] 
Tel: +256757795781 / +25670141430 
When you book a Kenya safari matters almost as much as when you travel. The Masai Mara and 
Kenya's other top reserves draw huge demand during the dry season and Great Migration months, 
and the best camps fill up long before those dates arrive. Below is a season-by-season and booking-
lead-time breakdown so you can lock in the trip, and the camp, you actually want. 
As a quick rule of thumb: for July to October travel, book 6 to 12 months ahead. For the quieter 
green seasons, 2 to 4 months is usually enough. Here is why, and how to plan around it 
1. July to October: Book 6 to 12 Months Ahead 
The dry season from July to October is peak for the Great Migration in the Masai Mara, when 
millions of wildebeest and zebra cross the Mara River in search of fresh grazing. Because this 
window includes both the dry season's easy game viewing and the migration's river crossings, 
lodges and camps fill up fast, booking at least 6 to 12 months in advance is strongly 
recommended if you want a camp close to the crossing points. 
2. January to February: Book 3 to 6 Months Ahead 
A second dry spell runs from January to February, coinciding with calving season, when predator 
action is intense as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas follow the newborn herds. It is quieter than the 
July to October peak but still a popular window, so 3 to 6 months of lead time is a sensible target, 
especially for well-located camps. 
3. April, May and November: Book 2 to 4 Months Ahead 
The green season, roughly April to May and November, brings lower rates and thinner 
crowds, with lush landscapes that are excellent for birding and photography, though some roads 
can get muddy. Because demand is lower, 2 to 4 months of notice is usually enough to secure a 
good camp, and last-minute bookings are far more realistic than during peak months. 
4. If River Crossings Are Your Priority, Book Even Earlier 
Within the wider migration season, August to early October gives the best chance of seeing an 
actual river crossing, since herds move unpredictably and crossings can last just minutes. Camps 
directly on the Mara River fill up first and often require booking close to a year ahead for the most 
sought-after dates. 
5. Luxury and Small Camps Need the Earliest Booking 
Small luxury camps and tented lodges with limited rooms sell out well before larger properties, 
particularly for private game drives and prime migration-season dates. If a specific luxury 
camp is non-negotiable for your trip, treat the 12-month mark as your real deadline rather than a 
cushion. 
6. What If You Are Booking Last Minute? 
Outside the July to October peak, last-minute Kenya safaris are genuinely achievable, especially 
in the green season, since camp cancellations and lower baseline demand open up availability 
closer to your travel dates. A local operator with direct camp relationships can often find last-
minute openings faster than booking independently. 
Weather and Climate 
The Masai Mara and Kenya's other reserves are warm and relatively dry from June to October and 
January to February, with temperatures often between 20°C and 27°C. The wetter months, March 
to May and November, bring cooler, greener landscapes with regular afternoon showers. 
Quick Reference: Best Time to Visit 
Best for the Great Migration and river crossings: July to October. Best for calving season and 
predator action with fewer crowds: January to February. Best for value and quiet landscapes: April, 
May, and November. 
How to Get There 
Kenya's gateway is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi, with the Masai Mara 
reached by a 5 to 6-hour road transfer through the Great Rift Valley or a short domestic flight of 
around 45 minutes. 
Health and Safety Tips 
A yellow fever vaccination is commonly required or recommended depending on your routing into 
Kenya, and malaria risk exists across most safari areas, so discuss prophylaxis with your doctor 
before travel. Comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation is worth arranging as soon 
as you book, particularly for peak-season trips paid for many months in advance. 
Why Book Your Kenya Safari with Dav Safaris 
Dav Safaris is a fully licensed tour operator running Kenya safaris alongside wider East African 
trips, and we track camp availability and migration timing closely to tell you exactly how much 
lead time your travel dates need. Contact us at [email protected] or +256757795781 to check 
availability and start planning your Kenya safari.