Month by month. Updated November 2026. 3 min read.
December in Kenya means green parks, a hot Indian Ocean coast and a country in a festive mood, with families gathering and Jamhuri Day celebrating independence. It is a good time to visit: the short rains usually ease during the month, mornings are clear and the coast is hot and mostly dry. Early December is quiet and good value, while the last two weeks are among the busiest of the year.
The weather in December, region by region
- Nairobi and the highlands: about 15°C to 26°C (59°F to 79°F), with showers early in the month in many years and more sun as Christmas approaches.
- The Maasai Mara and the southern parks: about 12°C (54°F) at dawn and 27°C (81°F) in the afternoon. Some rain is still likely, especially early in the month, but the country is green and the light is clear after the storms.
- The north: green and hot after the rains, drying out toward January.
- The coast: hot and mostly dry, about 23°C to 32°C (73°F to 90°F) in Mombasa, with the sea at about 28°C (82°F).
The short rains usually taper off in December. Their end varies: in some years the rain stops by early December, in others it carries on until close to Christmas. January to March, the next dry season, follows.
Wildlife in December
- The Mara: the migration herds are usually in Tanzania, but the reserve's lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants and plains game are there all year.
- Green plains: fresh grass after the rains draws grazing animals onto open ground.
- Elephants: Amboseli often has clear mornings in December, with Kilimanjaro behind the herds.
- Birds: migrant birds from Europe and Asia are still here, and birding is excellent across the country.
- Whale sharks: they are sometimes seen off the south coast in December, though the most reliable sightings are usually from about January to March.
The best places to go in December
- The Maasai Mara, by light aircraft from Nairobi's Wilson Airport in about an hour
- Amboseli, for elephants and Kilimanjaro
- Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate, an easy two nights from Nairobi
- Nairobi National Park, minutes from the city
- Diani, Watamu and Lamu for the beach, reached by air or by the Madaraka Express train from Nairobi to Mombasa
The coast in December
This is the start of the coast's best season. The northeasterly kaskazi wind usually sets in from about mid-December and blows until around March, bringing a new kitesurfing season at Diani with steadier wind and flatter water than the kusi months. Snorkeling at Watamu and dhow trips to Kisite-Mpunguti are popular. Beaches and hotels are at their busiest from Christmas to New Year, so book the coast first.
Holidays, crowds and booking
- Jamhuri Day, December 12: a national public holiday marking Kenya's independence in 1963
- Christmas Day, December 25, and Boxing Day, December 26: both public holidays
- School holidays: Kenya's school year ends late in the year, and many families travel home upcountry for Christmas, so roads, buses and flights are busy
Coast hotels and Mara camps fill for the weeks around Christmas and New Year, and rates are at their highest. We aim to confirm December trips by September. If your dates are flexible, the first two weeks of December are quieter and better value than the last two.
What to pack, and who December suits
- Light, breathable clothes and swimwear for the coast
- A fleece for dawn game drives and Nairobi evenings
- A light rain jacket, especially early in the month
- High-factor sunscreen and a hat
December suits families and Kenyans in the U.S. flying home for the holidays, anyone who wants a bush and beach trip in warm weather, and travelers who like green parks with fewer vehicles. Book early for the holiday weeks, or travel in early December for the best value.
Kenya Experience is Kenyan-led, with two U.S. companies behind it and Kenyan guides and hosts, so a family visit can become a bush and beach holiday without the stress. Pay in full or monthly with no deposit; a specialist replies within two business days.
