Kenya Weather in January

  Season: Dry Season
  In Short: In the beginning of dry season, hot and dry.

Generally, Kenya weather in January is not the hottest, with the average temperature fluctuating between 18 - 30℃ (64.4 - 86°F). But there’s a certain temperature difference between day and night: the temperature during the daytime varies between 25 - 30°C (77 - 86°F), while at night can drop to 15°C (59°F). So you may need to take a thin coat for the cooler hours. Besides, falling in the beginning of dry season, it does not rain a lot. The average precipitation for the month is 38mm and the average precipitation days is only 4 days, exerting little influence on travelling. 

Safari in January in Kenya

Overall, thanks to the good Kenya climate in January, it belongs to the best time to visit Kenya, when you need not to worry about the continuous rain and can enjoy game viewing, hiking and safari-going, as well as beach activities on the coast. January is during the peak tourist season in Kenya and popular attractions are crowded. If you want to pay a visit to Kenya in this month in 2025, it is a necessity to book accommodation and tickets in advance. In January 2024, the number of international visitors to Kenya exceeded 134,600.

 The hottest places in Kenya in January: 
Garissa: 22 - 35°C (71.6 - 95°F); Mombasa: 23 - 32°C (73.4 - 84.2°F); Kisumu: 24 - 31°C (73 - 82°F); Lamu: 24 - 31°C (73 - 82°F)
 The coolest places in Kenya in January: 
Nairobi: 12 - 24°C (51.8 - 73.4°F); Masai Mara National Reserve: 14 - 26°C (57.2 - 78.8°F)

What to Wear and Pack to Visit Kenya in January

During the daytime, it is highly recommended to wear cool and breathable clothes such as cotton and hemp shirts, thin long skirts and thin T-shirts. At night, a short suit, T-shirt, thin jeans, and other comfortable clothes are suitable. When you go to Muslim sites, make sure you wear clothes that cover your knees and shoulders. As it is not very convenient to wash clothes in Kenya, it is highly recommended that you bring extra changes of clothes, as well as disposable socks and underwear.

Despite the suitable clothes, mosquito repellent, sunscreen and sunglasses are necessities if you plan outdoor activities.  

Top Things to Do in Kenya in January

Tourism Rate: 

Thanks to the pleasant weather, outdoor activities and game viewing are all excellent things to do, as well as enjoying a cozy time on the coastal beaches.

1. Masai Mara National Reserve

The Masai Mara National Reserve is experiencing the dry weather in January, so it’s sunny and the skies are clear, with wildlife gathering along the rivers and lakes. And newborn wildlife can be seen, such as wildebeest and zebras. If you are willing to do something exciting, driving a four-wheel jeep to race with lions, cheetahs and other wild animals will give you unforgettable memories. 

If you want to have a close look at the life and culture of the indigenous people here, you can spend half a day visiting Masai Village. Here, you can see the Masai survival skills passed down from generation to generation- drilling wood to make fire, and visit their bedrooms.

Masai Mara Safari in January

2. Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park, known as the “Paradise of Elephants”, is home to more than 1,000 African elephants. It is also the best place to see the highest mountain in Africa- Kilimanjaro, which has snow-capped peaks that never melt. The sunny weather and pleasant temperature in January make for comfortable days here. Just imagine, the elephants leisurely strolling on the vast grasslands, under the vast blue sky and by the magnificent snow-capped mountains, what a memorizing sight! 

You can travel on safari through grasslands, rivers and deserts to trace the animals and the best times are around 7:00 in the morning and 4:00 in the afternoon, because the animals are active then. Staying in the safari lodge and watching the animals pass by your door is also an amazing experience. 

3. Beach Towns of Mombasa and Malindi

If you are planning some relaxing things to do, Mombasa, Malindi and other coastal towns are highly recommended. The coastal areas in Kenya in January has low humidity and pleasant weather, so it’s great to take a sunbath on the beach and enjoy a wonderful moment. Besides, the seawater is keeping at a comfortable temperature of around 28°C (82.4°F), providing perfect conditions for diving.

4. Mount Kenya

If you’re a mountain climber, Mount Kenya is the one you can’t miss, since January is in the dry season with little rain and clear skies. It is the second highest mountain in Africa, and it is worth mentioning that Mount Kenya has different trails for different levels of hiking enthusiasts, allowing hikers of all levels to enjoy the joy of hiking. Along the way, you can see many clear lakes, streams, and the unique vegetation of the equatorial mountains, as well as some wildlife, such as wild buffalo and a kind of monkey with black and white fur. 

5. Air Balloon Safaris

If you want a bird’s eye view of Kenya’s landscape and animals, there is no better time to enjoy a hot air balloon ride on a cool and clear January morning in Kenya. Floating on the prairie, you can leisurely enjoy the sunrise and many wild animals. The Masai Mara, Amboseli and Laikipia are among the destinations that offer the hot air balloon trips.

Air Balloon Safari in Amboseli

Travel Tip

From January 2024 on, Kenya has been visa-free for global tourists, which provides great convenience for tourists all over the world to travel to Kenya. A new ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is what you need to obtain, and that ensures you stay up to 90 days in Kenya.  

Weather in Major Cities / Destinations in Kenya in January

City / Destination	Temp.	Rainfall (mm)	Sunrise / Sunset
Nairobi	12 - 24°C (51.8 - 73.4°F)	64	06:27 / 18:31
Mombasa	23 - 32°C (73.4 - 84.2°F)	33	06:20 / 18:16
Kisumu	24 - 31°C (73 - 82°F)	79	06:34 / 18:41
Nakuru	9 - 27°C (55 - 77°F)	29	06:29 / 18:35
Malindi	23 - 31°C (73.4 - 82°F)	11	06:20 / 18:37
Amboseli National Park	15 - 28°C (59 - 82.4°F)	49	06:32 / 18:48
Masai Mara National Reserve	14 - 26°C (57.2 - 78.8°F)	83	06:43 / 18:55
Lamu	24 - 31°C (73 - 82°F)	6	06:18 / 18:32
Garissa	22 - 35°C (71.6 - 95°F)	13	06:15 / 18:21

Kenya Weather by Month

Recommended Kenya Tours:

Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration: 6 Days Nairobi - Masai Mara National Reserve - Lake Nakuru National Park - Amboseli National Park - Nairobi

Best Kenya Safari Tour: 7 Days Nairobi - Lake Nakuru - Masai Mara National Reserve - Nairobi

Kenya Safari & Beach Lesiure: 12 Days Nairobi - Amboseli - Tsavo West - Taita Hills - Tasvo East - Diani Beach