Kenya's short rainy season begins in the middle of October. The dry first half of October is great for touring Kenya's beaches, wilderness areas, and national parks. In wetter late October, it's harder to spot wild animals and travel, so developed Nairobi/coastal areas are better.
Read on for our travel advice and weather information including average temperatures, rainfall, and humidity, and travel tips…
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Kenya Weather in October: Overview
Averages:
- Temperature range: 18–30°C (65–86°F)
- Rainfall: 8 cm (3 inches)
- Rainy days: 9
- Sunshine hours/day: 7
The first half of October usually has good weather for most tourists in Kenya. By the end of October, a season of gentle rains and warmer weather starts that makes the land green and lush.
Weather of Kenya's Major Cities in October
| Kenya City | Temperature | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi (Capital, largest city, travel hub) | Mild | Moderate |
| Maasai Mara (Game reserve) | Mild | Moderate |
| Mombasa (Beaches, second largest city) | Warm | Moderate |
| Turkana (Beautiful desert lake, ethnic culture) | Hot | Low |
| Kisumu (Lake Victoria, wildlife, 3rd largest city) | Warm | Moderate |
| Amboseli (Nature Reserve, Kilimanjaro) | Mild | Low |
| Kenya City | Daily High Temp. | Daily Low Temp. |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi (Capital, largest city, travel hub) | 26ºC (79ºF) | 11ºC (52ºF) |
| Maasai Mara (Game reserve) | 28ºC (82ºF) | 12ºC (54ºF) |
| Mombasa (Beaches, second largest city) | 31ºC (88ºF) | 21ºC (70ºF) |
| Turkana (Beautiful desert lake, ethnic culture) | 34ºC (93ºF) | 27ºC (81ºF) |
| Kisumu (Lake Victoria, wildlife, 3rd largest city) | 31ºC (88ºF) | 24ºC (75ºF) |
| Amboseli (Nature Reserve, Kilimanjaro) | 29ºC (84ºF) | 15ºC (59ºF) |
| Kenya City | Rain (cm) | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi (Capital, largest city, travel hub) | 6 | 2 |
| Maasai Mara (Game reserve) | 10 | 4 |
| Mombasa (Beaches, second largest city) | 10 | 3 |
| Turkana (Beautiful desert lake, ethnic culture) | 5 | 2 |
| Kisumu (Lake Victoria, wildlife, 3rd largest city) | 10 | 4 |
| Amboseli (Nature Reserve, Kilimanjaro) | 4 | 2 |
Early October is good for beach going and going to places further afield from the better infrastructure around Nairobi and the southeastern coast, such as the desert lake of Turkana.
The highland plateau attractions, such as Nairobi and the large savanna wildlife preserves, have moderate to low rainfall and comfortable weather. Hell's Gate, Mount Kenya, and other high mountain areas sometimes have flash floods. A good tour guide is important for safety there.
The southeastern coastal lowlands are warm with moderate rainfall falling mostly in late October. Early October is a top time for beach going and water sports around Mombasa and Malindi, where it's hot with sunny beaches and good sea temperatures for swimming. Storms arrive in late October.
The Best Places to Visit in Kenya in October
Top things to do in October include enjoying the great wilderness areas where you can safari and hike and going to the beaches for relaxation, basking in the sun, hiking, and water sports.
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1. Nairobi — Appreciate the Vibrant Downtown and Natural Parks
Nairobi is the big capital. Most tourists arrive through its airport. October has moderate rainfall that mostly falls in the latter half of the month. It is sunny with comfortable temperatures. At night, it might be cool. The weather is good for touring in the city and having countryside excursions.
Places to go in the city: Giraffe Centre and the Oloolua Nature Trail next to it, the Elephant Sanctuary, and the Nairobi National Museum.
Natural highlights in the Nairobi area: Nairobi National Park is adjacent to the city. Further afield, there are Lake Naivasha (2½ hours' drive), Lake Nakuru (3½ hours), Amboseli (4 hours), and the Maasai Mara (4½ hours).
2. Maasai Mara — Watch the Wildlife Migration
Maasai Mara is an exciting place to go in October because it is the last month of the animal migration. In the migration's last two months, more animals arrive than in the first two months. It is better to visit before the rains start because then the animals disperse and hide.
Another good thing about visiting in October is that there are fewer tourists than in June to September, but the prices at local hotels generally stay high until the middle of October.
The weather in October is generally warm during the day and cool at night with moderate rainfall of 10 cm (4 inches).
3. Samburu — See the Variety of Different Kinds of Animals
October is a good month to visit Samburu. The first half of the month is better. Samburu is known for being the second-best place to see animals in Kenya other than Maasai Mara. Compared to other parks, there is less rainfall in October, and this helps with seeing the animals like big cats and elephants
Samburu gets about 2 cm (1 inch) of rainfall. Mount Ololokwe near the park is a favorite hiking spot that we recommend for a day excursion because the scenery is awesome.
Transportation: It is about 300 km (190 miles) from Nairobi, and the driving time is about 5 or 6 hours. You could also fly to the local airfield.
4. Turkana — Go Far Out for an Exotic African Experience
October is one of the months with low rainfall in Turkana, and most of the rain falls in the second half of the month. Attractions include the biggest desert lake in the world, an island with thousands of crocodiles, and rugged desert scenery.
You could stay in guesthouses and enjoy the lake fish. It is a way to get far away from the tourist crowds and experience tribal life in a remote part of Kenya.
Transport: Turkana is a 16-hour or 2-day drive from Nairobi. For safety and ease of travel, it is better to go with a private driver and a guide who is familiar with the people and area.
5. Diani Beach — Relax, Snorkel, Scuba Dive, and Hike
Diani Beach is a long beautiful white beach with clear, warm, greenish-blue water that stretches as far as the eyes can see. It is generally recognized as the best beach in East Africa.
There are a lot of things to do there. You could hike in the adjacent forests, enjoy water sports, and dine on some of the best food in Kenya.
Diani is 30 kilometers (19 miles) south of Mombasa, and it takes about 30 minutes to drive there. In October, Mombasa gets about 10 cm (4 inches) of rain. It is warm or hot during the day, and the water temperature ranges from 28°C (83°F) to 25°C (78°F).
6. Watamu Beach — See White Sands, Sea Life, and Islets
Watamu Beach is another beautiful white beach with clear warm water. It is a better place to go to get away from other tourists. If you like exploring, a fun activity is to tread out to the little islets offshore at low tide.
You may see dolphins, whales, and an array of other sea creatures. There is a marine park. You can hike at Mida Creek and other natural areas. Watamu is also known for Italian food, and there is an Italian community there.
It is warm or hot during the day, and the water temperature in October ranges from 28°C (83°F) to 25°C (78°F). Driving from Mombasa takes 2 hours.
High Tourist Season: Touring Advice for October
October is one of the best times of the year to visit Kenya. It is dry or moderately rainy with comfortable temperatures, and the crowds are less compared to the peak tourism times.
Peak tourist season rates and prices remain in effect until towards the end of October though, when costs decrease a little. Airfares are also more expensive at this time of year.
Public holidays in October: October 10 is Utamaduni Day commemorating Daniel Moi, and October 20 is Mashujaa Day that commemorates those who contributed to Kenyan independence.
What to Wear in October
October is sunny, and there might be a lot of mosquitoes. In general, to avoid sunburn and mosquito bites, wear a hat, long-sleeved shirts, and light trousers or long dresses. Bring mosquito repellent and a mosquito net. Bring a jacket for the highlands.
Wildlife parks: To avoid alarming the animals, wear neutral-colored clothes. Bring rain gear or umbrellas. In the higher mountains, bring winter clothing.
Monthly Weather in Kenya
Recommended Tours for Kenya in October
A private tour is recommended. Travel experts who know the local conditions will benefit comfort, enjoyment, safety and speed of travel. A private driver and a local guide could help you tour the country and surrounding region.
At Global Highlights, we recognize that you may want some private time with your traveling companion(s) to hike in a wilderness preserve or go on a safari. So, we are flexible to do as much itinerary arranging and guiding as you would wish to make the best trip for you.
See our recommendations for the best Kenya itineraries or Contact us to begin a tour inquiry.
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