Skip to content
Voykit

When to go · Kenya

Kenya in February

Great month. Hot and dry; one of the best months for Amboseli and the coast.

Key facts

Verdict
Great
Crowds
Medium
Kenya
Prices
Medium
Kenya

Verdict

GreatVoykit month rating for Kenya

Hot and dry; one of the best months for Amboseli and the coast.

Is another month better than February?

No other month rates higher than February for Kenya in this guide.

Weather in February

  • Masai Mara and the south-west · Masai Mara, Naivasha, Nakurubest weather

    Migration herds in the Mara roughly Jul–Oct; April–May rains soften roads and close some camps.

  • Central highlands and Nairobi · Nairobi, Mount Kenya, Aberdaresbest weather

    At 1,700 m Nairobi is mild; June–August evenings are cold, so pack a fleece.

  • Southern savanna · Amboseli, Tsavo East and Westbest weather

    Dry and dusty; Kilimanjaro views are clearest early mornings in the dry months.

  • Coast · Mombasa, Diani, Watamu, Lamubest weather

    Humid year-round; the heaviest rain falls April–June and some coast hotels close in May.

  • Northern drylands · Samburu, Laikipia, Lake Turkanahot

    Semi-arid and hot; short rains still bring green flushes to Laikipia.

  • April–May are the wettest months; sea is calmest October–March. Sea temperature runs about 25 °C (77 °F) in August to 30 °C (86 °F) in March. Whale sharks and manta rays visit November–February; humpback whales July–October.

  • Eastern Kenya: Mount Kenya foothills (Meru, Embu) · Western edge of the regionfine

    Cooler and wetter than the plains; long rains March–May, short rains October–December. Pack a rain shell.

  • Eastern Kenya: Northern plains (Isiolo, Marsabit, Wajir) · North and east of the highlandshot

    Semi-arid to arid; 30 °C (86 °F)+ most afternoons, irregular rain, drought years common. Marsabit town sits higher and is cooler at night.

  • Long rains roughly March–May, short rains October–November; cool nights year-round at altitude.

  • Hot and arid all year; the least punishing months are roughly June–September and December–February.

  • Long rains roughly March–May, short rains November–December. Days are mild year-round; nights at this altitude are cold enough for a jacket.

  • Cooler and wetter than the valley floor; morning mist is common in the wet months.

  • Warm all year, 25–30 °C (77–86 °F) by day; the long rains peak in April and the short rains in November. Mosquitoes are worst in the evening.

  • Western Kenya: Highlands (Kakamega, Kericho, Eldoret, Kisii) · Western highlands, 1,500–2,000 mfine

    Cooler, often misty; nights can drop below 12 °C (54 °F). Rain falls on more days than the coast.

  • Nairobi26 °C (79 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 4 rain days
  • Diani Beach32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 3 rain days
  • Eldoret23 °C (73 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 5 rain days
  • Embu27 °C (81 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 2 rain days
  • Garissa34 °C (93 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 1 rain days
  • Homa Bay30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days
  • Isiolo28 °C (82 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 2 rain days
  • Kabarnet29 °C (84 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 5 rain days
  • Kakamega31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 5 rain days
  • Kericho27 °C (81 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 11 rain days
  • Kerugoya26 °C (79 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 4 rain days
  • Kiambu26.5 °C (80 °F) / 13.5 °C (56 °F), 4 rain days
  • Kilifi30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days
  • Kisii24 °C (75 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 5 rain days
  • Kisumu31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 8 rain days
  • Kitale28 °C (82 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 5 rain days
  • Lamu32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 2 rain days
  • Lodwar30 °C (86 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 0 rain days
  • Machakos28 °C (82 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 4 rain days
  • Malindi31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 4 rain days
  • Mandheera35 °C (95 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 1 rain days
  • Marsabit29 °C (84 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 2 rain days
  • Meru24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 6 rain days
  • Mombasa33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 2 rain days
  • Moyale30 °C (86 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 2 rain days
  • Msambweni30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days
  • Mtwapa32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 3 rain days
  • Naivasha28 °C (82 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 2 rain days
  • Nakuru28 °C (82 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days
  • Namanga29 °C (84 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 2 rain days
  • Nanyuki24 °C (75 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 4 rain days
  • Narok27 °C (81 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 5 rain days
  • Nyahururu22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 5 rain days
  • Nyeri23 °C (73 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 5 rain days
  • Rusinga Island28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 8 rain days
  • Vihiga29 °C (84 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 8 rain days
  • Voi29 °C (84 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 4 rain days
  • Wajir35 °C (95 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 1 rain days
  • Webuye29 °C (84 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 6 rain days

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • Ramadan

    Lunar (moves each year)

    Lamu and Mombasa Old Town eat after dark; daytime cafés close in Muslim areas.

  • Dry, warm season

    Jan–Feb · Nairobi

    Best city weather; safari traffic is high and hotels fill.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Kenya
Medium
Prices · Kenya
Medium

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Kenya, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Feb: Great

    Jan: Great

  • Crowds

    Feb: Medium

    Jan: Medium

  • Prices

    Feb: Medium

    Jan: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    Feb: 2

    Jan: 3

February: Hot and dry; one of the best months for Amboseli and the coast.

January: Short dry season: good game viewing, green landscapes, Christmas crowds gone after the first week.

Kenya: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

  • Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in February

Rated best or good this month

  • Masai Mara and the south-west

    Best weather of the year (Masai Mara, Naivasha, Nakuru)

  • Central highlands and Nairobi

    Best weather of the year (Nairobi, Mount Kenya, Aberdares)

  • Southern savanna

    Best weather of the year (Amboseli, Tsavo East and West)

  • Coast

    Best weather of the year (Mombasa, Diani, Watamu, Lamu)

  • Nairobi

    Warm, dry; the best city weather.

  • Diani Beach

    Best months: Late Nov–mid-Mar; Jul–Oct is drier and cooler but windier

  • Eldoret

    Best months: Jan–Mar, Jul–Oct (dry season)

  • Embu

    Best months: Jun–Oct, Jan–Feb

  • Garissa

    Best months: Jan–Mar, Jul–Oct

  • Homa Bay

    Best months: Jun–Oct, Jan–Feb (dry season)

  • Isiolo

    Best months: Jun–Oct, Jan–Feb

  • Kabarnet

    Best months: Jun–Oct, Jan–Feb