Visiting Kenya in December: Festive Season Safari Guide
December in Kenya sees the end of the short rains and a return to dry season conditions for most of the month. Christmas and New Year bring a surge in international visitors — December is one of Kenya’s busiest months, with lodges filling up for the festive period. Conditions are good; booking ahead is essential.
Weather in December
| Region | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainfall | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nairobi | 24°C | 13°C | 100mm | Short rains ease; dry from mid-December |
| Masai Mara | 26°C | 13°C | 80mm | Drying through the month; good conditions |
| Amboseli | 28°C | 15°C | 90mm | Improving; Kilimanjaro views return |
| Samburu | 30°C | 17°C | 50mm | Dry and warm |
| Kenya Coast | 31°C | 23°C | 90mm | Dry season returns; beach conditions improving |
| Mount Kenya (base) | 18°C | 9°C | 100mm | Some rain; conditions improving late December |
Kilimanjaro in December: The mountain becomes increasingly visible through December as the short rains ease. By late December, morning views from Amboseli can be very clear — building towards the January–February peak clarity window.
Wildlife in December
Masai Mara: No migration, but resident wildlife is excellent. The Mara’s lions, cheetahs, elephants, and buffalos are all very active.
Calving season: December is calving season for wildebeest in the Serengeti. Some calving spills into the Mara’s southern reaches.
Whale sharks: The season continues at Watamu and Chale Island (Diani) through December — one of the best months for whale shark encounters as the Indian Ocean warms.
Christmas and New Year
The festive period (December 23–January 3) is peak season for Kenya’s safari lodges. Demand is very high and most lodges require minimum stays (often 3–4 nights) and book out months in advance.
Book by: September–October for Christmas and New Year dates at popular lodges. Some upmarket properties book out by July for December.
Pricing: Many lodges charge festive surcharges or have mandatory gala dinner packages for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. These add USD 50–150/person to standard rates.
Coast in December
December is excellent for the Kenyan coast. The short rains ease, the Indian Ocean calms, and the festive period brings a lively atmosphere to Diani and Mombasa. Whale sharks continue at Watamu. Turtle nesting season is active.
Diani Beach in December: Popular with both international visitors and Nairobi residents escaping for the holiday break. The beach is livelier than usual — book accommodation well in advance.
Budget December vs. Festive December
December 1–20: Shoulder conditions, reasonable availability. Conditions improving through the month. Good value window.
December 21–January 3: Peak festive pricing, full lodges, mandatory minimum stays. Budget significantly more than standard rates.
Best Activities in December
- Masai Mara — excellent resident wildlife, improving conditions
- Whale shark trips at Watamu — peak season
- Diani Beach — Christmas atmosphere, warm Indian Ocean
- Amboseli — Kilimanjaro views return from late December
- Nairobi National Park — always accessible for a morning drive
Where to Go in December
Early December (1–20): Amboseli + Samburu combination — early December is shoulder pricing but with improving dry season conditions. Samburu is fully dry and excellent; Amboseli’s Kilimanjaro views improve through the month. A 7-night split between the two is excellent value compared to peak-season prices.
Festive period: Diani Beach — if budget allows only one festive season destination, Diani is the best choice. The Indian Ocean is warm and calm, whale sharks are active offshore at Chale Island, and the beach atmosphere over Christmas is genuinely festive. Book 6+ months ahead for December 23–January 2.
New Year: Masai Mara — several Mara lodges run New Year’s Eve packages with outdoor dinners and entertainment. The Mara in late December is beautifully green and quiet (for the Mara) — most visitors are at the coast for Christmas and the Mara fills for New Year specifically.
December Budget Guide
Safari costs (per person/night, full board — non-festive December rates):
- Budget camp, Masai Mara: approximately KES 13,000–22,000
- Mid-range lodge, Masai Mara: approximately KES 26,000–55,000
- Luxury lodge, Amboseli: approximately USD 350–600
Festive surcharges (December 23–January 3): Add USD 50–150/person/night to the above rates at most lodges. Mandatory gala packages for December 31 are common.
Coast costs (Diani/Watamu):
- Budget guesthouse: approximately KES 3,500–7,000/night
- Mid-range beach hotel: approximately KES 12,000–25,000/night (peak season; significantly higher over Christmas)
What to Pack for December
- Light clothing for warm afternoons (28–32°C in Amboseli, Samburu, coast)
- Warm layer for game drives — December mornings at the Mara can be 12–14°C
- Packable rain jacket for early December (short rains still possible in the first two weeks)
- Swimwear for the coast
- Sunscreen (UV is high throughout)
- Festive clothing if attending lodge New Year/Christmas dinners
FAQs
Is December a good month to visit Kenya? Yes — conditions improve through the month and the festive atmosphere at top lodges and beach resorts is excellent. The main challenge is advance booking: December (especially the 23rd–January 3rd) books out faster than any other month.
Is it cheaper to visit Kenya before Christmas? Yes — December 1–20 is significantly cheaper than December 21–January 3. Conditions are similar. If flexibility exists, December 1–18 offers good value with excellent conditions.
Do I need to book flights early for December Kenya? Yes — book international flights to Nairobi at least 4–6 months ahead for December travel. Nairobi flights fill quickly over the Christmas period and prices rise steeply in the 8–12 weeks before Christmas.