A Kenya safari in December offers green landscapes, newborn animals, superb birding and mostly dry, sunny days once the short rains ease early in the month. The Great Migration herds have left for Tanzania, but the Masai Mara, Amboseli and Samburu stay excellent, and it is the ideal month to add a beach week on the coast.
The catch is timing and price. December splits into two very different halves: a quieter, better-value first fortnight and a festive peak from Christmas to New Year, when the best camps fill up and rates climb. This guide explains the weather region by region, where to go, what it costs with park fees we checked in October 2026, and how to plan a December trip that works.
Quick Facts
- Weather: warm and mostly sunny; the short rains usually end in the first half of December in Nairobi and on the coast, and later in the month around the Masai Mara
- Daytime temperatures: roughly 22-29°C in Nairobi and the Masai Mara, 29-33°C on the coast; early mornings can drop to around 11-16°C on the highlands
- Great Migration: the herds are in Tanzania, heading for the southern Serengeti; no Mara River crossings in December
- Best parks: Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, Laikipia and Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru, plus the coast for bush and beach
- Masai Mara fee: US$200 per non-resident adult per day from July to December (checked October 2026)
- Busiest dates: roughly 20 December to early January, when festive rates and minimum stays often apply
Is December a Good Time for a Kenya Safari?
December is a very good time for a Kenya safari if you want green scenery, baby animals, excellent birding and the option of a beach finish. It is less suited to travellers whose main goal is the Great Migration, and the festive weeks are among the most expensive of the year.
Rain from the October to December short rains leaves the plains fresh and the dust down on a Kenya safari in December. Most of it falls as short afternoon storms, so mornings are usually clear.
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Who a Kenya safari in December suits best
A Kenya safari in December suits families travelling in the school holidays, couples who want a safari and beach honeymoon, keen birders and photographers, and anyone who has already seen the migration and wants a calmer Mara. First-timers do well too, because the Big Five and other resident animals stay in the parks all year.
It suits you less if you are set on a river crossing or want to book late for Christmas. For crossings, look at July to October instead, using our Great Migration month-by-month guide.
What Is the Weather Like on a Kenya Safari in December?
The weather on a Kenya safari in December is warm, bright and changeable early in the month, then mostly dry. The Kenya Meteorological Department’s short rains outlook expects rain to stop in the first or second week of December around Nairobi and the coast, and in the third or fourth week around Narok.
Dates shift each year, so check the latest forecast on the Kenya Meteorological Department website. Temperatures below are rough averages.
| Region | Typical December weather | Day / night temperature | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masai Mara and Narok | Green plains, short storms possible until the third or fourth week | About 22-29°C / 11-16°C | Bring a warm layer for 6am drives; some tracks get muddy early in the month |
| Nairobi and central highlands | Rains usually end in the first or second week; occasional late showers | About 24-28°C / 13-17°C | Easy city day trips; cool evenings |
| Amboseli and Kajiado | Rains usually end in the first or second week | Warm days, cool nights | Clearer air, good odds of seeing Kilimanjaro at dawn |
| Samburu and the north | Hot and largely dry; rains often end by early December | About 31-35°C / 18-22°C | Sun protection matters; wildlife gathers near the Ewaso Nyiro River |
| Coast (Diani, Watamu, Mombasa) | Rains usually end in the first or second week; hot and humid | About 29-33°C / 21-24°C | Sea around 27-28°C; perfect for a bush and beach finish |
Packing for December weather
Layers suit a Kenya safari in December: early drives feel cold, middays are hot and storms roll in quickly. Pack a fleece, a light waterproof and quick-drying neutral clothes. Our Kenya safari packing list has the full checklist.
Where Is the Great Migration in December?
In December the Great Migration is in Tanzania, not Kenya. After leaving the Masai Mara in October and November, the wildebeest and zebra move south through the Serengeti towards the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and Ndutu, where calving usually begins around late January and peaks in February.
A Kenya safari in December will not include river crossings. If the herds are your priority, consider adding northern Tanzania, as described in our Serengeti migration guide.
The upside is a calmer Masai Mara on a Kenya safari in December: lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants and buffalo all stay, and sightings are often quieter outside the festive week.
Best Parks to Visit in December
The best places for a Kenya safari in December are the Masai Mara for big cats, Amboseli for elephants and Kilimanjaro views, Samburu for the northern special species, Laikipia and Ol Pejeta for rhinos, and the Rift Valley lakes for birds. Most combine easily on a 7 to 10-day route.
Masai Mara
The Masai Mara is still Kenya’s best big cat destination in December, even without the migration. The private conservancies on the reserve’s edge add night drives and guided walks with fewer vehicles. Read our guide to the best time to visit the Masai Mara for a fuller month-by-month view.
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli is about 215 km from Nairobi, around four hours by road, and December is one of its loveliest months. Clear air often gives sharp sunrise views of Kilimanjaro, and the swamps draw large elephant families.
Samburu and Laikipia
Samburu in the north is hot and dry by early December, so animals stay close to the Ewaso Nyiro River. It is the place for Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and Beisa oryx. Laikipia and Ol Pejeta Conservancy add black and white rhinos on a cooler plateau, as covered in our Laikipia wilderness guide.
Lake Nakuru, Naivasha and the birding lakes
December falls within the season when migrant birds from Europe and Asia spend the northern winter in Kenya, roughly from October or November to March or April. Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and the Mara grasslands are all rewarding, and Lake Nakuru adds black and white rhinos within an easy drive of Nairobi.
Ending a Kenya safari in December on the beach
Ending a Kenya safari in December on the coast is one of the best reasons to travel this month. Once the short rains clear, Diani, Watamu and Malindi enjoy hot, sunny days and warm sea, a short flight from Nairobi. A Kenya safari in December with a beach finish needs no extra long-haul flight.
How Much Does a Kenya Safari in December Cost?
A Kenya safari in December typically costs about US$300-600 per person per day on a mid-range private trip and US$700-1,500 or more at luxury conservancy camps, based on two people sharing. These are estimates; the festive weeks sit at the top of each range, while early December is often better value.
Park fees are a fixed part of the price. The Masai Mara charges its higher July-December rate, while Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) parks use flat year-round rates. The figures below are for non-resident adults and were checked in October 2026 on recent sources; confirm them before booking.
| Park or reserve | Non-resident adult fee per day | December notes |
|---|---|---|
| Masai Mara National Reserve | US$200 (July-December rate) | Children 9-17 pay US$50; tickets cover 12 hours |
| Amboseli National Park | US$90 | KWS flat rate all year |
| Lake Nakuru National Park | US$90 | KWS flat rate all year |
| Nairobi National Park | US$80 | Good half-day option on arrival or departure day |
| Tsavo East and Tsavo West | US$80 | Useful on the way to the coast |
| Hell’s Gate National Park | US$50 | Cycling and walking near Lake Naivasha |
Why festive dates cost more
Between roughly 20 December and early January, many safari camps and beach hotels charge peak or festive rates, and some ask for minimum stays of three or more nights. Flights cost more too. A Kenya safari in December between the 1st and about the 18th usually saves money without losing the green-season benefits.
For a detailed breakdown of where safari money goes, including vehicles, flights and tips, see our Kenya safari cost guide. Most visitors also need a Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation, which costs US$30 for standard processing (checked October 2026); apply only on the official Kenya eTA website.
Plan a green-season Kenya safari this December
Browse our Kenya safaris to the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu and beyond, all tailor-made with private 4×4 vehicles and expert local guides, with an easy beach extension.
How to Plan Your December Trip
To plan a Kenya safari in December well, decide early whether you are travelling before or during the festive peak, book camps first and flights second, and build in a mix of parks rather than relying on one. A 7 to 10-day route covers the highlights, with a few nights on the coast if time allows.
A sample 8-day December route
This example route for a Kenya safari in December avoids long backtracking; days and parks can be swapped to suit you.
| Days | Where | Why in December |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Nairobi | Arrive; optional afternoon in Nairobi National Park |
| Days 2-3 | Amboseli | Clear Kilimanjaro mornings and elephants on green grass |
| Day 4 | Lake Naivasha or Lake Nakuru | Boat ride, migrant birds and rhinos |
| Days 5-7 | Masai Mara | Big cats, quieter roads after the migration, optional balloon flight |
| Day 8 | Fly to Nairobi or the coast | Head home, or continue to Diani for beach days |
Road or fly-in?
The Masai Mara is about 275 km from Nairobi, roughly five and a half hours by road, while scheduled light aircraft from Wilson Airport cut that to a short flight. Early in the month, when some tracks are muddy, flying is more comfortable. Our fly-in safaris combine parks by air to save time.
Insider Tips
- Go early in the month: the first half of December often brings green-season scenery at lower prices than the festive weeks
- Book festive dates early: for travel between Christmas and New Year, secure camps six to twelve months ahead
- Plan around the storms: afternoon showers are common early in the month, so prioritise morning and late-afternoon drives
- Choose a conservancy: Mara conservancy camps limit vehicles at sightings, which helps over the busy holiday period
- Pack a warm layer: 6am drives on the highlands can feel cold in an open vehicle
- Add the coast: a few beach nights after the safari suit December’s dry, hot coastal weather
Let us plan your safari
Tell us your dates, budget and dream sightings, and our Nairobi team will send you a free tailor-made itinerary and quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time for a Kenya safari?
Yes, a Kenya safari in December is a good choice. The short rains usually ease in the first half of the month, the parks turn green, resident wildlife is easy to find and migrant birds are everywhere. The trade-offs are festive-season prices, busier lodges at Christmas and no wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara.
Can you see the Great Migration in Kenya in December?
Not in large numbers. By December most of the wildebeest and zebra have left the Masai Mara and are moving south through Tanzania towards the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti, where calving begins around late January. The Mara still has excellent resident wildlife in December, including lions, cheetahs, leopards and elephants, but no river crossings.
Does it rain in Kenya in December?
It can rain in Kenya in December, mainly in the first two weeks. The Kenya Meteorological Department expects the short rains to end in the first or second week of December around Nairobi and the coast, and in the third or fourth week around Narok and the Masai Mara. Showers are usually short afternoon or evening storms rather than all-day rain.
How far ahead should I book a Kenya safari in December?
Book a Kenya safari in December six to twelve months ahead if your dates fall between about 20 December and early January. Popular camps in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and on the coast fill early for the festive weeks, and some set minimum stays. For early December you can often book a few months out and still get good choices.
What should I pack for a Kenya safari in December?
For a Kenya safari in December, pack light layers in neutral colours, a fleece or warm jacket for chilly early game drives, and a light waterproof for afternoon showers. Add sun protection, insect repellent, binoculars and a soft-sided bag if you plan a light-aircraft flight. Coast extensions need swimwear, a sun hat and reef-safe sunscreen.
Final Thoughts
A Kenya safari in December trades the drama of river crossings for green plains, newborn animals, migrant birds and the easy option of a beach finish. Travel in the first half of the month for value and quieter parks, or book well ahead if you want to spend Christmas in the bush.
Weighing up dates, parks or a coast extension? Our Nairobi team can shape a December route around your budget.
Wondering if December is right for your Kenya safari?
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