Month by month. Updated November 2026. 4 min read.
April is Kenya's best-kept season for flexible travelers. The long rains turn the savanna a deep green, storm light makes every photograph, the Maasai Mara's resident lions and elephants are still there, and you share them with very few vehicles at some of the lowest lodge rates of the year. It is usually the wettest month in Nairobi and the southern parks, with storms most often in the afternoon or evening.
April weather by region
The long rains usually peak in April, and long-term averages make it the wettest month in Nairobi, though totals vary a lot from year to year. Rain rarely falls all day. A typical pattern is a bright morning, clouds by early afternoon and a heavy storm later. Some years bring flooding; others are drier than average.
- Nairobi and the highlands: mild and green, with highs of about 26°C (79°F) and lows of about 14 to 15°C (57 to 59°F). Cloud and rain cool the afternoons.
- The Maasai Mara and the southern parks: lush and wet. Black cotton soil turns tracks to mud after heavy rain, so flying between parks is often easier than driving. Kilimanjaro is often hidden by cloud over Amboseli.
- The north: Samburu gets its share of the long rains, usually in short, heavy bursts. The bush turns green fast, and some tracks become hard going after a storm.
- The coast: hot, humid and increasingly wet as the month goes on. Mombasa averages highs of about 32°C (90°F) and lows of about 24 to 25°C (75 to 77°F).
Where the wildlife is
The migration herds are in Tanzania, usually moving north and west through the Serengeti as the rains arrive. In Kenya, the resident wildlife of the Mara stays: lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants and plains game. Long grass and thick bush can make the cats harder to find, but sightings come with far fewer vehicles, and an experienced guide makes the difference.
The rains bring food and water, so the parks feel full of life, and many resident birds are in breeding color. Migrant birds from Europe and Asia usually leave around March and April, so early April can still be rich for birders.
The green season is also the photographers' season: clean air, storm clouds, rainbows and fresh grass behind every animal.
Where to go in April
- Maasai Mara conservancies: fewer vehicles, plus walks and night drives where allowed. Some camps close for part of the long rains, so we check what's open.
- Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha: easy road access from Nairobi, rhinos, hippos and birds
- Nairobi National Park: lions and rhinos minutes from the city, good for a short trip
- Ol Pejeta in Laikipia: rhinos and the chimpanzee sanctuary
- Samburu: green bush and dry-country wildlife, best reached by air when roads are wet
- Kakamega Forest: Kenya's rainforest at its greenest, for birds and primates
April is the start of the low season on the coast. Rain increases through the month, and some beach hotels close or scale back from around April until July or August. Those that stay open are quiet. Easter week is the exception, when Kenyan families fill the beaches.
We don't recommend climbing Mount Kenya in April. The trails are wet and slippery and cloud often hides the peaks. January and February are the best months, and conditions usually improve again from late June.
Crowds, prices and holidays
April is one of the quietest months in Kenya's parks. Many camps and lodges offer green-season rates, and some close for maintenance during the long rains, so there is usually good availability at those that stay open. It is a strong month for value, and we tell you which camps are open for your dates.
Easter usually falls in April. Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays, and the long weekend is busy at the coast, at Naivasha and in the parks near Nairobi. In 2027, Easter comes early, on March 28. Book early for Easter week whenever it falls.
What to pack
- A proper waterproof jacket, not just a windbreaker
- Quick-dry trousers and layers
- Waterproof or quick-dry shoes, plus sandals for camp
- A fleece for cool, damp evenings
- Insect repellent: mosquitoes are more active in the rains
- A dry bag or rain cover for cameras and phones
- Malaria prevention advice from your doctor before you travel
The verdict: who April suits
April suits travelers who put value and solitude ahead of guaranteed sunshine: return visitors, photographers, birders and couples who like the idea of a quiet camp and a storm over the plains. It is not the month for a first safari with tight dates, a beach-focused holiday or a Mount Kenya climb. If April is your only window, keep the plan simple: fewer parks, more nights in each, and a flight rather than a long drive.
The green season rewards local knowledge. Our Kenyan-led team, with two U.S. companies behind it, knows which camps stay open and which routes hold up in the rain. Pay in full or monthly with no deposit, and a specialist replies within two business days.
