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.
China Highlights, Asia Highlights, and Global Highlights collaborate to provide families and couples with personalized and stress-free experiences in diverse destinations.


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Our trip to Li Jiang and Shaxi Yunnan
We arrived at Lijiang on 9/8. We enjoyed the time in Lijiang a lot with good hotel selection and a well planned program. We went onto Shaxi for the local singing festival of the local minority groups. It was a fantastic experience. What makes the trip most memorable is our guide Alice. She took excellent care of us, anticipating our every need. She was personable, warm and very knowledgeable. We shared many laughters and traded stories. She brought smiles to us during the entire trip. We will specifically ask for her again when we come back to Yunnan. Five star service. More
Consumer,
Sep 2023
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Great trip around Shanghai
This was our first time ever visiting Shanghai so we wanted to see good places to go to and good food to eat in Shanghai. That's why we booked with China Highlights. They're very responsive and quick to arrange our 3 day trip. Our guide name is Qi and she is a very sweet and helpful person. She knew we wanted to explore many local foods, so she brought us some local breakfast foods when she picked us up from our hotel, just so we can try everything! She was knowledgeable as well about the culture and history of the places we went to. Will definitely recommend this tour and use China Highlights again for our next trip to China! More
Sherry,
Sep 2023
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Great way to see the city
Private tour with China highlights made seeing Xi'an super easy. We saved a lot of time with a private driver, and our guide Jenny took really good care of us, sending instructions for where to meet once getting off the train and made everything feel really safe and easy. She also accommodated a number of last minute changes to our itinerary without batting an eye. She was very patient, knowledgeable and friendly. It was great having a guide who grew up locally in the area to show us around (which is not always the case, from my previous experiences elsewhere). Would definitely recommend! More
Stephanie N,
Sep 2023
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One Day Beijing Trip (Great Wall, Summer Palace) With Jennifer
My tour guide Jennifer made this quick one day trip to Beijing great! The day started out a bit overcast and rainy when I landed, but Jennifer’s positive attitude and kind communication (along with her being able to keep up/put up with my jokes) made it fine.Despite this, Jennifer and our driver Chen were able to swing an extra photo shoot stop at the Olympic Stadium. I guess it gives me an excuse to come back to visit again, and when I do - I will use China Highlights and this great fantastic team. More
Alan Landau,
Sep 2023
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Mervyn is what we call a perfect tour guide!
Mervyn is what we call a perfect tour guide! She is extremely informative all the way through. She knows hers stuff and she is also enthusiastic, knowledgeable, personable and very willing to help. The whole day was perfect. A great amount of walking and a lots of physical activity ( hiking) and she was all smiling, accommodating and keeping us informative. She was absolutely the best tour guide we've ever encountered in China. Her English is perfect! Everything was so well organized. Her knowledge of the local culture and history is impressive. Fantastic More
pdaroundthewrorld,
Sep 2023
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Best Great Wall experience
Used China Highlights for a private all-day tour of Jinshanling portion of the Great Wall. One of the best days of my life! Tour guide Alan and a driver met me at my hotel and the ride was very comfortable. Alan was extremely knowledgable and friendly, I really enjoyed talking with him. The scenery was astoundingly beautiful; this is a less touristy portion of the Wall. The hiking was fun, Alan brought plenty of water, and showed me things I would not have noticed by myself. On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at a local restaurant for lunch that Alan had arranged - delicious! Once in a lifetime experience. More
LZviajera,
Sep 2023
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Wonderful experience!
Our tour guide was Mervyn, and she was amazing! She had great knowledge of Xi'an and the silk road, and we learned so many things we didn't know before. The Muslim quarter is a must-see, with so many streets of food. Terracotta warriors were breathtaking. We did a Hanfu experience and enjoyed walking the city at night in our tang Dynasty outfits. We wish we spent more than 2 days here as there's so much to do. Definitely recommend this tour and will be visiting again! More
Laura A,
Sep 2023
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Unforgettable trip to Guilin
We enjoyed an incredible two day trip in Guilin, taking a brief half-day boat cruise on the Li River and cycling around Yangshuo in the afternoon with our guide Gary. Gary met us at the airport and made us feel very welcome, providing us with five-star service. He gave us a lot of insight about Guilin and the Guangxi region and even gave us a tai chi lesson on the boat. He provided us excellent dining suggestions for the evening as well as suggestions of things to do. Thank you Gary for making our trip to Guilin so memorable! More
Regis B,
Sep 2023
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Rated 5 out of 5 stars
We were paired with great guides on every city, very knowleadgeble and hardworking people that made our trip fabulous. Jack in Beijing was brilliant and very resourceful making sure we enjoyed the city even when he wasn't with us. In Xi'An we were paired with Crystal that was incredibly smart and made sure we felt we had not only a guide but a friend to rely on in Xi'An, we loved how she made sure we tried the best food and fruit available and helped us from arrival to departure from Xi'An. Finally, kudos to Gary (Wei Li) that worked with us in Guiling and Yangshuo. Gary is a local to Guiling and truly proud of his city and origins. We learned a lot from him and he trully went above and beyond to ensure we had a great time in Guiling adjusting the itinerary to our liking and taking time to explain everything. On our flight out of Guiling we had a bit of an issue with our tickets (booked by ourselves) and Gary promptly lent a hand to help us sort it out with the airport staff, trully a champion. If you are heading to Guiling with Chinahighlights, make sure to have Gary as your guide. More
Moises,
Sep 2023
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Amazing tour!
Our guide, Linda, was by far the best person to have for our tours of The Forbidden City, Tianamen Square, and Mutianyu Great Wall. She was an encyclopedia with great knowledge of Chinese History and was able to explain every detail of what we were seeing. She picked us up with a very nice car and driver from our hotel both days, at the time most convenient to us, and dropped us back off wherever we wanted at the end of our tours. Both the Forbidden City and the Great Wall are marvels of human and Chinese achievements and are a must to see in Beijing. Visiting them both with a tour guide that feels more like a friend was certainly helping enjoying it even more. More
Robin Z,
Sep 2023
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Stunning Yellow Mountain and beautiful Ancient Villages
We had the most fantastic experience with our tour guide, Jack Fan, who is very knowledgeable about the Yellow Mountain and was able to get us quickly to the most stunning highlights. He was our "photographer" anytime we wanted a photo and that was very often. We made the most of our time having him guiding us. He was truly the mountain man as he is a local there. He is very passionate about what he does. He loves history, nature, and travel, which is a must for a guide. He provided historical facts about the stunning Ancient villages at Hong Cun and Xidi. He answered any questions we had about history, nature, and current things we had. I felt like he was a professor, and we were his students in a very good way. He was NEVER late, and neither was our driver. They never bought us anywhere to "sell" us things. He took us to buy tea only when we asked to buy a specific tea, staying much later than he should have! I wanted to check out lotus and rice fields, which was not on the itinerary, but he squeezed it in for us. We were very well taken care of. I highly recommend Jack for a tour guide who speaks English. More
annemompt,
Sep 2023
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An Unforgettable Tibetan Adventure - Qinghai Train Ride Y971
I recently embarked on an unforgettable journey to Tibet, a land steeped in mysticism and rich cultural heritage. My train trip on the famous scenic Qinghai route on train Y971 Lhasa played a significant role in making this trip an extraordinary experience.Upon my arrival in Lhasa via an overnight train, I was warmly welcomed by the guide assigned Tenzin Lhatse. He had waited for more than 3 hours as he was not informed there was a change in the train schedule. Nontheless, it did not dampen his warm attitude and the seamless transferfrom the train station to the hotel set a positive tone for my stay.The highlight of my stay was undoubtedly the visit to the iconic Potala Palace. The sheer grandeur and architectural brilliance of this historic site left me in awe. The guidance of my knowledgeable tour guide, who revealed the stories behind each shrine, enriched my experience. However, the strict visitor limits and rules underscored the importance of preserving this ancient marvel. The Old Barkhor Street Walking Tour was a journey through time. From Jokhang Temple to the bustling local market, each stop offered insights into Tibetan daily life and folk customs. The Pandatsang Compound's history and the cup of Tibetan sweet tea at Ani Tsangkhung Nunnery added unique flavors to the tour.Overall, my journey through Tibet was an incredible odyssey into a world of spirituality, culture, and natural beauty. I'm glad to have taken this step with my wife to challenge the train ride which was totally worthy of this lifetime. More
GOH-family-tours,
Sep 2023
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Wonderful trip to the Chinese Silk Road
Special shout out to our guide for the Gansu leg, Helen, who was the most caring guide we have come across in all of our travels. Make sure you ask for her! More
ED,
Sep 2023
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Fantastic first trip in Shanghai
My partner and I were visiting China for the first time. Our tour guide was Martin, who was friendly and very knowledgeable. He adjusted the tour to our needs and gave us an extensive tour of Shanghai as well as many fascinating insights on China. He also went above and beyond and offered us plenty of recommendations on what to do in the evenings, how to get there, and even made bookings for us. Martin, thanks again! More
Regis,
Sep 2023
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Yangshuo is magical from the misty…
The guide Lily has a great knowledge in hidden gems and the history about the places. Very memorable experience that i have thanks to them. More
Dony Yugo,
Sep 2023
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Beijing is AMAZING
Linda Wang our amazing tour guide helped us to have an unforgettable trip to all the best of Beijing. From organizing the driver (also excellent) to drop us/pick us up exactly when we were leaving busy tourist sites, excellent food recommendations, fascinating knowledge relevant to us and our children (13yo and 11yo) making The Forbidden City, Tiannamen Square, Great Wall, Beijing Zoo and The Hutongs thoroughly enjoyable. Handling all the entrance/exit passport and ticket requirements, interpreting, answering any questions we had about local culture, we were so comfortable and happy, never rushed, everything you could want and more. More
Michelle A,
Sep 2023
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Incredible 2 day tour of Jiuzhaiguo
Our tour guide Mary spoke perfect English, was so nice to us and took us to all the best sights in Jiuzhaiguo. It was an unforgettable tour with incredible views! More
Declan O,
Sep 2023
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Helen is the best Panda tour guide going around!
I had a fantastic Panda tour with Helen in Chengdu City. From the moment she picked me up, my energy was low from a heap of travelling, but Helen quickly brought me up a notch with her breathtaking passion for Pandas. Not only did she provide a fantastic experience accommodating my every need, but she was also a genuinely kind and joyful company to tour the city with. I can't recommend Helen enough - you won't regret it! More
Isaac C,
Sep 2023
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Two days in Xi’an
What an amazing few days in Xi’an! Our guide Jenny was first class - very knowledgeable and very helpful, she went out of her way to make sure we had the best experience like ordering us coffees & food and booking dinners for us. The highlight was of course visiting the Terracotta Warriors, but we also really enjoyed visiting a local family to make dumplings. Can’t recommend this trip and Jenny enough! More
Marvin K,
Sep 2023
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Fantastic experiences in Guilin and the beautiful surroundings together with Vincent.
Lib230524097 More
Go44854472794,
Sep 2023
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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 safari. So, we are flexible to do as much itinerary arranging and guiding as you would wish to make the best trip for you.
Why Travel with Global Highlights (98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+)
- Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
- Hassle-free travel and peace of mind: Every aspect of your trip will be carefully planned and organized by your 1:1 travel consultant.
- Experienced and knowledgeable guides: Your guides will be local and love to work for travelers' smiles.
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