Visiting Kenya in August: Weather, Wildlife, and Travel Tips
Visiting Kenya in August is an excellent choice. During this month, Kenya’s long dry season offers clear skies, comfortable weather, and ideal safari conditions. It also marks the peak of the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Maasai Mara, when millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles cross the Mara River in a spectacular wildlife event. Besides safaris, August is an ideal time to combine game drives with a beach vacation along Kenya’s coast, from Diani and Watamu to the historic island of Lamu. With warm temperatures, little rainfall, and exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities, August is widely seen as the best month to visit Kenya for both adventure and relaxation.
Experiencing the Great Migration is possible on a Kenya tour in August, especially for tourists visiting the Masai Mara National Reserve for a holiday. Visiting Kenya in August rewards nature enthusiasts with experiences beyond the Big Five and the Great Migration. Visitors also have a chance to have a great treat to the thrilling adventures, including mountaineering, as you conquer Africa’s 2nd highest mountain, Mount Kenya.
The weather in Kenya during August
August is an exceptional month of the year, characterized by dry and cool weather conditions. The weather conditions vary depending on the area, and here is a breakdown;
Northern Kenya – Around August, the Northern region experiences warm temperatures, with daytime temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius. In the night, temperatures drop to 15 to 20 degrees Celsius.
Central Kenya – Expect to experience mild to cool temperatures in August. The Central region in Kenya is located at a high elevation, and daytime temperatures range from 15 to 20 degrees Celsius. Nighttime temperatures can drop between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius.
Coastal Kenya: In August, daytime temperatures range from 25 °C to 30 °C. At night, the weather conditions tend to be milder, and temperatures fall to around 20 degrees Celsius.
How crowded is it in August?
August, being a peak tourist season, should expect huge numbers. Tourist traffic is recorded in most of the top destinations in Kenya, including Tsavo National Parks, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park, and others. As a result of the visitor influx, especially those coming for the Big Five and to witness the Great Migration, scarcity often affects accommodation options. The cost of accommodation even increases due to the high demand from visitors on Big Five game tours or wildebeest migration safaris.
The Annual Festivals and Events in August
Kenya boasts a diverse lineup of festivals and events, including cultural celebrations and outdoor activities. This also means that you must consider booking your accommodation option in advance for an overnight stay. The popular events or festivals around August include the Kenyan International Film Festival, which showcases the country’s unique local and international films. During this festival, participants showcase a diverse range of documentaries and feature films. It is a season for filmmakers to share their inspirational stories with their audiences worldwide.During the Kenyan International Film Festival, guests get immersed in Kenya’s cinematic culture. What is essential is to secure a ticket in advance.
The Marsabit-Lake Turkana Cultural Festival is often held in the northern part of Kenya, an event that unites the diverse ethnic communities as they celebrate their exceptional cultural heritage. Visitors can witness the unique music, dance performances, and distinctive displays of traditional attire.
Lewa Safari Marathon –An annual fundraising event often conducted in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. During this annual event, participants have the option to choose between a full marathon and a half-marathon. As you embark on the Lewa Safari Marathon, don’t forget to enjoy the spectacular scenery and spot the varied wildlife.
Where to go for a Kenya safari in August?
Kenya features multiple tourist sites worth exploring in August. The notable places to explore in August in Kenya include Amboseli National Park, Masai Mara, Mount Kenya, Samburu, Lake Nakuru National Park, and Nairobi National Park.
Masai Mara National Reserve offers more than magical Big Five encounters and the Great Migration. The Masai Mara Reserve is perfect to explore in August, especially if you are interested in spotting predator species such as leopards, cheetahs, and lions. They can be spotted as they actively hunt other wildlife, including wildebeests and different antelope species.
The Masai Mara Game Reserve is about 224 km from Nairobi City. The reserve is situated on the border with the popular Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s premier Big Five game safari destination. The Masai Mara Reserve is located in Narok County, southwestern Kenya, and forms part of the extensive Mara-Serengeti ecosystem.
Getting to the Masai Mara Reserve in August is easier by road, and you can spend about 5-6 hours if you are departure is from Nairobi. Gates presenting visitor access to the Maasai Mara National Reserve include Sekenani, Talek, Musiara, Oloolaimutia, and Oloololo gates. Using air transportation, you can take a shorter time to get to Maasai Mara, and on arrival, expect to land at Keekorok and Mara Serena Airstrips or any nearby Airstrips.
Lake Nakuru National Park
Lying along the Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru National Park is dominated by the soda lake of the same name, Lake Nakuru. This is one of the smallest parks in Kenya, occupying a land area of 188 sq. km, but it is inhabited by a variety of wildlife. The notable wildlife that makes Lake Nakuru National Park a great destination includes Rothschild’s giraffes, waterbucks, rhinos, lions, cheetahs, and a diverse array of birds.
The diverse birds that survive here include the flamingos, Maccoa ducks, Cape teal, northern shovelers, white-faced whistling-ducks, southern pochard, yellow-billed ducks, Hottentot teal, Egyptian goose, doves, black-faced sandgrouse, African palm-swift, Nyanza swift, black-tailed Godwit, little ringed plover, spur-winged lapwing, curlew sandpiper, temminck’s stint, ruddy turnstone, greater painted-snipe, and Caspian plovers.
Other key destinations worth visiting in Kenya in August include Lewa Conservancy, Samburu National Reserve, Tsavo East National Park, Laikipia Plateau, Tsavo West National Park, Mombasa, and Nairobi National Park.
What should you expect to do in Kenya in August?
The main safari activities to enjoy in Kenya around August include guided game drives, the Great Migration experience, walking tours, hot air balloon safaris, rhino tracking, horseback riding, and beach holiday (in the Watamu and Diani Beaches).
Tips for planning a Kenya safari in August
August is a peak month of the year, requiring early preparation, whether for a safari or beach holiday. Accommodations and flights should be booked in advance. The demand for lodges, hotels, and camps in Kenya tends to increase during the peak months, such as August. To avoid being stranded at your destination due to a last-minute booking, we recommend that all our guests book their accommodation in advance.
Pack wisely for your Kenya tour. The clothes you choose to carry should be neutral-colored. Do not forget to include a sweater and a rain jacket, long-sleeved shirts, a daypack, a safari hat, comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent, a first aid kit, and other essentials.
Why Kenya in August Should Be on Your Bucket List
Kenya in August offers everything a traveler could wish for: iconic safaris during the Great Migration, warm and dry weather, and beautiful Indian Ocean beaches for relaxation after adventures. Whether you want to witness dramatic river crossings in the Maasai Mara, capture elephants against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, or relax on Diani’s pristine white sands, August is an ideal time to experience it all. At Native Africa Tours, we create memorable safari and beach holidays that showcase the best of Kenya in August. Start planning your trip with us today and reserve your spot before peak season is fully booked.
