Kenya Weather in February: Travel Tips for First-Timers

The weather in Kenya in February is relatively hot and dry. In this shoulder tourism season, mountain hikes, safaris, beaches, and water sports are recommended. Kenya's February weather is a welcoming attraction for those in frigid northern climates.

Read on for our travel advice and weather information including average temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and travel tips…

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Weather in February: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: 19–31°C (66–87°F)
• Rainfall: 5 cm (2 inches)
• Rainy days: 7
• Sunshine hours/day: 9

February is the end of one of Kenya's two annual dry seasons. It is the driest month of the year in two popular tourist places: the southeast coast and Turkana in the northwest. For somewhere cooler, you could go to the mountains where it is cool and even snowy. Other options include savanna safari tours and beaches and water sports before the heavy rains of March.

In February, there is a big variety of things to do. The pleasant warm and dry weather might make February the best month for hiking on the mountains. Malindi and Mombasa on the coast have sunny, dry, and hot weather, which is great for the beaches and water sports. The highland tourist highlights have pleasant warm weather for touring and safaris.

Weather of Kenya's Major Cities in February

Highland plateau: February is one of the hottest months in the highlands where Nairobi, Maasai Mara, Kisumu, Amboseli, and Mount Kenya are. The sunny and dry weather is great for touring. To escape the heat, you could go to the mountains for hiking, sightseeing, and mountain resorts.

Coastal lowlands: The weather in the coastal lowlands in February is hot during the day, and it can be hot at night too. It is actually the driest month of the year with scant rainfall.

The Best Places to Visit in Kenya in February

Top things to do in February include going to Kenya's natural parks and safari in the savanna wildlife refuges, hiking and resting in the mountains; going to the southeastern lowlands for hiking, beaches, and surfing; and visiting Turkana.

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1. Nairobi — Vibrant Downtown, Natural Parks, and Airport Gateway

Nairobi is Kenya's big capital city with 7 million people. It is the regional travel hub. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is the biggest airport in East Africa and the No. 1 travel gateway for the region.

There are many natural highlights in the area. Nairobi National Park is just outside the city, and there are zoos in the city. Landing at Nairobi put you within a few hours of great places to safari: Lake Naivasha National Park (~2.5 hours' drive), Lake Nakuru National Park (~3.5 hours), Amboseli National Park (~4 hours), and the Maasai Mara (~4.5 hours).

In February, the weather is quite comfortable for tourists in Nairobi and the surrounding highland plateau savanna countryside. There are only about 4 rainy days in the month with low total rainfall.

2. Maasai Mara — Stunning Wildlife and Natural Beauty in February

For seeing lots of wildlife in a natural savanna, we recommend Maasai Mara. It is the most famous natural area of Kenya, and moderate tourism in February means lower prices and crowds. The moderate rainfall provides beautiful green scenery without the rains that hamper travel at other times.

Big animals and big cats such as leopards, cheetahs, and lions abound more in Maasai Mara than most other African savannas. The Serengeti is adjacent, and other great travel highlights such as Lake Victoria and Kilimanjaro are nearby. The Maasai towns and villages are cultural opportunities.

The weather in February is generally warm during the day, comfortably cool for sleeping at night, and sunny with moderate rainfall of 10 cm (4 inches).

3. Mombasa — Beaches, Hiking, Dining and Water Sports

During the dry and sunny weather, Mombasa is a good place to go. The city has a million people and international influences ranging from British, to Arab, to Indian, to Chinese.

Only a centimeter (½ inch) of rain in February allows for better touring, shopping and sightseeing at historical places such as the 15th century Portuguese fortress called Fort Jesus and Old Town.

There are pristine white sandy beaches and the Bamburi Natural Trail. If the weather conditions are right, advanced surfers can surf. Mombasa Marine National Park and Wasini Island are great for scuba divers. The temperature hovers around 34°C (93°F) in the afternoons.

4. Turkana — Exotic Remote Getaway

If you want a remote getaway from crowds and to experience African tribal life and wild desert nature, then the best area of Kenya in February is Lake Turkana in northwestern Kenya. It is a long 16-hour or 2-day drive from Nairobi. For safety and ease of travel, it is better to go with a private driver and guide who knows the area.

Lake Turkana is the biggest desert lake in the world. Locals fish in the salt lake, and you can swim and enjoy sandy beaches. You can stay at guesthouses at Eliye Springs and take excursions into the desert countryside such as the rugged rock formations of the Pyramids of Wadach.

February is a good month to go for a tour or refreshing, relaxing stay since it is both the hottest and driest month of the year, and the unusually dry and hot weather in February helps keep the mosquitoes at bay. There is only about a centimeter (½ inch) of rainfall in February, and temperatures generally reach 36°C (97°F) in the afternoons.

5. Hell's Gate — Hiking and Tent Camping

Hell's Gate is the only nature reserve in Kenya that permits visitors to hike and ride bikes freely because there are no big predators. The others require that you travel in vehicles. It might be your favorite hiking experience in the country. It is a good time of year for hiking to see the stunning volcanoes and bubbling hot springs along with wildlife such as zebras and giraffes.

Park officials permit hiking amid the rugged canyons, and you can tent camp in the park too! By Kenyan standards, it is a small park (68 square kilometers (26 square miles).

It is only 90 kilometers (56 miles) from Nairobi, and the entrance fee is about 27 USD. There is relatively dry and sunny weather in the hot season. The altitude is around 1,900 meters (6,200 feet), and there are low temperatures at night.

6. Mount Kenya — Hike to the Top

February, Kenya's warmest low-rainfall month, is one of the best and safest months for hiking up mountains such as Mount Kenya, second highest mountain in Africa, with two rocky snow-capped peaks over 5,000 m (17,000 ft). The big range of climate zones makes for an interesting trek from jungle up to glaciers.

It is only about 120 km (70 miles) from Nairobi. The mountain is heavily forested, and ecological diversity is one of its primary attractions. Most hikers hike to Lelian, at 4,895 meters altitude, and a trek up and back usually takes about 4 days.

A Moderate Tourism Season: Crowds and Costs

February is a popular time for tourism and travel in Kenya because the weather is so warm, sunny and dry. You can enjoy the savannas with less crowds, and there are moderate prices for flights and hotels. February is one of the best months for touring and travel.

There are no Kenyan public holidays in February. Unofficial celebrations you could enjoy include the East African Community Arts Festival at Nairobi's Kenyatta International Convention Centre in late February or early March for music and art from various East African countries. Restaurants showcase their best food, often with discounted prices, during Nairobi Restaurant Week that is a 10-day event in late January or early February.

What to Wear in February

On the highland plateau: In general, dress in layers with spring/autumn clothes. To avoid sunburn, wear a sun hat and light cotton long-sleeved shirts and pants or dresses. For visiting parks and reserves, wear neutral-colored clothes to avoid alarming the animals. In the higher mountains, bring winter clothing and rain gear or an umbrella. Wear good hiking boots for hiking.

Coastal areas: Bring comfortable clothing for hot weather. To avoid sunburn, bring a hat and long-sleeved shirts and wear light trousers/shorts or dresses.

Monthly Weather in Kenya

Recommended Tours for Kenya in February

In Kenya in February, having things professionally arranged for you by local experts would definitely benefit your comfort, enjoyment, and safety. You can get around better with the services of a private driver and a local guide.

At Global Highlights, we recognize that you may want some private time with your traveling companion(s), perhaps to safari together or hike in a national park. So, we are flexible to do as much itinerary tailoring and expert arranging as you want to make the best trip for you. Contact us to begin a tour inquiry.