Month by month. Updated November 2026. 4 min read.
Usually, yes. March gives you two Kenyas in one month: hot, golden dry season at the start, and the first green flush of the long rains, which often arrive in the second half of the month or in April. Early March is excellent for safaris and the coast, late March brings fresh grass, quieter parks and better value, and the month often brings the Safari Rally, one of motorsport's great events, to the roads around Naivasha.
March weather by region
March is the month the weather turns. In most years the first two or three weeks are dry and hot, then clouds build and the first storms of the long rains arrive. The timing changes from year to year, and in some years the rains hold off until April. When they come, they usually fall in the afternoon or evening.
- Nairobi and the highlands: warm and sunny, often among the warmest weeks of the year before the rains. Long-term averages give highs of about 27 to 28°C (81 to 82°F) and lows of about 14 to 15°C (57 to 59°F).
- The Maasai Mara and the southern parks: hot days and dry plains early in the month, then a quick change to green once the rain arrives. Morning drives often stay dry even after the storms begin.
- The north: hot and dry for most of the month in Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba.
- The coast: usually the hottest month of the year in Mombasa, with highs of about 33°C (92°F) and lows near 25°C (77°F). Humidity rises, and the first heavy showers can arrive toward the end of the month.
Where the wildlife is
The migration herds are still in Tanzania in March. Calving winds down in the southern Serengeti, and the herds begin moving north and west as the rains come. In Kenya, the Mara's resident wildlife carries the show: lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, hyenas and big resident herds of zebra, topi and gazelle.
Dry early weeks keep animals close to water and the grass short. Once the rains start, the grass grows fast, the dust settles and the light turns dramatic, which photographers love.
Birders do well in March. Migrant birds from Europe and Asia are still in Kenya, many in fresh plumage before they fly north, and resident species start breeding as the rains arrive.
Where to go in March
- The Maasai Mara and its conservancies: resident big cats and quiet plains
- Amboseli National Park: elephants, with Kilimanjaro views best before the rains bring cloud
- Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba: dry-country wildlife along the Ewaso Ng'iro River
- Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate: boat rides among hippos, cycling and walking, easy from Nairobi
- Lake Nakuru National Park: rhinos and waterbirds
- The coast: hot, mostly dry weeks before the rains, good for Diani, Watamu and Lamu
On the coast, whale shark sightings off Diani usually continue into March, and the sea is generally calm early in the month. On Mount Kenya, early March can still be good, but conditions become less reliable as the long rains approach. January and February are the safer months to climb.
Crowds, prices, holidays and events
Visitor numbers usually dip in March as the dry season ends. Some camps start green-season rates toward the end of the month or in April, so a late-March trip can be good value. We tell you which camps are discounting for your dates when we quote.
The WRC Safari Rally Kenya has run in March in recent years, on the roads around Naivasha. The 2027 rally is scheduled for March 18 to 21. Rooms around Lake Naivasha are in demand that week, so book early if you want to watch, or plan Naivasha for another week if you don't.
Easter falls in March in some years. Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays in Kenya, and in 2027 they fall on March 26 and March 29. Many Kenyan families travel to the coast and the parks over the long weekend. Idd-ul-Fitr, also a public holiday, is expected around March 9 or 10, 2027, depending on the moon.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes for hot days
- A light waterproof jacket for late-month storms
- A warm layer for cool dawns on game drives
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen
- Quick-dry trousers and shoes that can handle a little mud
- Insect repellent: mosquitoes increase once the rains begin
- Modest clothing for the coast's old towns
The verdict: who March suits
Early March suits first-time safari travelers, beach lovers and photographers who want dry roads and clear skies. Late March suits flexible travelers who like green country, quiet parks and better value, and who don't mind an afternoon storm. Rally fans will want the Safari Rally week. Climbers should choose January or February instead, and migration fans should wait for July to October.
We are Kenyan-led, with two U.S. companies behind us, and we plan around the rains, rally week and Easter so you don't have to. Travel with Kenyan guides, pay in full or monthly with no deposit, and hear from a specialist within two business days.
