Kenya in May

Fun in the warm sun on Diani Beach, Mobasa | Credit: Luxury Travel Diary

Nairobi and the central highlands are hot by day, comfortable at night and very wet.

Mombasa and the coast is very hot by day, rather hot at night, and receives little rain.

The Rift Valley and western interior are hot by day, cool at night and receive a high rainfall. May could be a great (more cost effective) option for seasoned safari-goers because it offers the chance to experience Kenya in a completely different light. Although, this is not recommended for first-time safari enthusiasts because the chances of seeing much wildlife is slimmer.

May is by far the wettest month on the coast, with an average monthly rainfall of greater than 300mm, making it a very poor time for beach holidays or underwater activities.
The long rains continue into May in many safari destinations. As a result, game viewing can be challenging, as animals are dispersed away from water sources and thick vegetation tends to reduce visibility, and minor tracks may be inaccessible when inundated with water.

Beach and bush safari holidays in Kenya

A bush and beach safari is the best way to enjoy all the wonderful facets of Kenya Kenya is ideally suited to a beach and bush holiday. Indeed, you could say that it is tailor-made for this combination of activities. Safari options are covered in detail elsewhere on this website, but we would broadly recommend 7-10 days on safari, ideally split between two or three major reserves,…

Kenya in January

It rains heavily in Kenya during January | Credit: Elsen Karstad January tends to fall in Kenya’s wet season in the wider sense of the term (November to May), it lies outside of the two notable ‘long’ and ‘short’ rain periods, which means that you can expect much less rain with stunning landscapes, albeit unpredictable at times. Potential rains are generally quite short and…

Samburu Buffalo Springs National Reserves and Mount Meru National Park

The cluster of national parks and reserves set in the semi-arid lowlands running broadly northeast from Mount Kenya includes some of the country’s most rewarding safari destinations. In part, this is because they protect a very different fauna to their more southerly counterparts: not only an intriguing selection of localised dry-country large mammals including reticulated giraffe,…

Medical requirements for Kenya

Malaria is the biggest single medical threat to visitors to Kenya. It is present in most parts of the country throughout the year, though the risk of transmission is generally far higher at low altitudes and during the rainy season. There is no vaccine, but several different oral prophylactics are available, and it is advisable to visit a travel clinic or other suitably qualified medical…

A Kenya holiday as a couple

Enjoying a game drive in Kenya | Credit: Ol Lentille Most parts of Kenya are suited to couples. The coast is ideal for a romantic getaways, while more active couples looking for quality time together might consider booking a private safari or renting a self-drive 4x4. Highlights The romance of a Kenyan sunrise Kenya’s beaches are among the most romantic in the world, all white…

Health care in Kenya

A public healthcare system exists but it is underfunded and rudimentary by international standards. Private medical facilities compare favourable to most parts of Africa other than South Africa but are not always to the standard you’d expect in Europe or North America. On the plus side, medical consultations are generally very cheap, and local doctors are highly experienced when it…

Changing money in Kenya

Kenya currency The Kenyan shilling (KSh) trades against most international currencies at a favourable rate. There’s no need to bring large amounts of hard currency cash or to buy shillings in advance. Major international credit/debit cards (for instance Master and Visa) can be used to draw local currency at 24-hour ATMs in most cities and beach resorts, but not in national parks and…

Kenya in June

The kusi monsoon brings cooler weather to the Kenyan Rift Valley | Credit: Lingofacts Nairobi and the central highlands are warm by day, cool at night and receive little rainfall. Mombasa and the coast is hot by day, relatively cool at night, and receives a fair amount of rain. The Rift Valley and western interior are hot by day, cool at night and receive occasional rain. Some of the…

Kenya in May

Our Recommended Itinerary

Kenya Bush and Beach Family Safari Itinerary (12 days)

Welcome to Kenya

Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park

Spot large prides of lion

Explore the deep blue sea

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