Expect 24-26°C days in Nairobi and the Masai Mara, rainfall easing to 80-100mm, and a dry, 31°C coast by mid-month. 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.
Beach-bound? See Diani Beach in December 2026.
If you are travelling over the holidays, we have built a Christmas itinerary and a New Year itinerary.
Search hotels in Kenya on Booking.com, or jump straight to Diani, Watamu or Masai Mara.
Festive planning: see Christmas in Kenya 2026, New Year’s Eve in Kenya 2026 and the warmest place in Kenya in December.
Short Rains Ease Through December: Dry from Mid-Month as Kilimanjaro Views Return
| 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.
Resident Mara Predators and Wildebeest Calving Starts in the Southern Serengeti
Masai Mara: No migration, but resident wildlife is excellent. The Mara’s lions, cheetahs, elephants, and buffalos are all very active - and the resident grazer population is entering one of the year’s most productive life-stage windows.
Resident Grazers in December: Calving Cycle Begins Again
December marks the restart of the calving cycle for several of the Mara’s permanent resident species - the same cycle whose peak we observe in January–February.
Thomson’s gazelle (December): The Mara’s resident population of approximately 30,000 Thomson’s gazelle begins calving in late December through February. In early December, females are visibly pregnant in the final stages; from late December, the first fawns appear - lightly spotted, weighing approximately 3 kg, capable of standing within 20 minutes of birth. The compressed, synchronised birth strategy floods the landscape with fawns to overwhelm predator capacity. December cheetah activity near gazelle herds in the Mara Triangle and Mara North Conservancy reflects this renewed fawn availability.
Impala (December): Impala calved in October–November; December lambs are now 1–2 months old and increasingly mobile alongside their mothers. Impala lambs at this age are weaning and beginning to graze, though they remain close to nursery groups. The Mara’s approximately 30,000 resident impala are well-distributed across the ecosystem as the short rains ease. Leopard predation on impala remains reliable in the Mara River woodland year-round.
Topi (December): Topi calved in October–November; December calves are now 1–2 months old and running at near-adult speed. The Mara’s approximately 12,000 topi are conspicuous on the open short-grass plains of the Mara Triangle - December’s greening landscape makes their characteristic upright posture and dark colouration highly visible against the fresh grass. Adult males have re-established territories post-calving and are actively defending them.
Burchell’s zebra (December): The Mara’s resident herd of approximately 80,000 zebra foals year-round, with a modest pulse of new foals in January–February following gestation aligned with the previous year’s rains. December game drives regularly encounter zebra mares in late pregnancy or with very new foals. Lion prides are active across zebra herds as the dry season returns and prey becomes more concentrated.
Calving season: December is also calving season for wildebeest in Tanzania’s Serengeti, particularly around the Ndutu and Kusini plains. Some calving wildebeest are in the Mara’s southern reaches near the Tanzania border, and predators - particularly cheetah, spotted hyena, and lion - respond to the available wildebeest calves.
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.
Birdwatching in December
December is one of the best months for birdwatching in Kenya. The short rains have attracted insects and seeded the grasslands, and - crucially - the Palearctic migrants (European and Asian species that breed in the northern hemisphere and winter in Africa) are now fully established across Kenya’s habitats. By December, over 170 migratory species supplement the resident population, making this the most species-rich period of the year.
Kenya is home to approximately 1,100 recorded bird species - more than the whole of Europe. In December, several habitats peak simultaneously:
- Lake Nakuru: Flamingos are reliably present in large numbers, along with pelicans, African fish eagles, and the rich waterbird community that makes Nakuru one of Africa’s great birdwatching lakes. The dry December conditions concentrate birds at the lake margin.
- Arabuko-Sokoke Forest (near Watamu): One of East Africa’s most important coastal forests for endemic species. The Sokoke scops owl, Clarke’s weaver, and Amani sunbird all live here. Pair a visit with whale shark trips - the forest is 30 minutes from Watamu beach.
- Rift Valley lakes - Baringo and Bogoria: Lake Bogoria attracts flamingos in spectacular numbers (sometimes over 100,000 birds). Lake Baringo has 470+ recorded species, including the rare Jackson’s hornbill and Goliath heron.
- Masai Mara: The lilac-breasted roller, carmine bee-eater, and dozens of migratory raptors are all present. Open grasslands are excellent for ground-level species including the kori bustard - the world’s heaviest flying bird - and the striking secretary bird.
For birders visiting in December: a 10-day itinerary combining Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, and the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest covers habitats with 600+ possible sightings. A local guide makes a significant difference - species like the Sokoke scops owl are nearly impossible to find independently.
Top Experiences: Whale Shark Peak at Watamu, Festive Amboseli, Diani Beach for Christmas
- 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
- Arabuko-Sokoke Forest birdwatching - endemic species + Watamu whale sharks in one trip
Best Destinations in December: Amboseli and Samburu Early, Diani Beach for Festive Season
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.
Recommended Lodges for December: Amboseli, Samburu, and Diani
Amboseli (improving Kilimanjaro views through month):
- Ol Tukai Lodge - classic 80-room Amboseli lodge in the central section of the park, well-positioned for elephant and Kilimanjaro photography. December shoulder rates apply for the first three weeks. Rates approximately USD 280–420/person/night full board (pre-Christmas); festive surcharges apply December 23–January 3. Search availability at Ol Tukai Lodge
- Tortilis Camp - small luxury tented camp above the swamp. Late December’s returning dry season makes for clear morning Kilimanjaro light by the final week. Book well ahead for the Christmas/New Year period. Rates approximately USD 450–650/person/night full board (festive surcharges apply Christmas week). Search availability at Tortilis Camp. More options in our Amboseli hotel guide.
Diani/Watamu Coast (festive season and whale sharks):
- Hemingways Watamu - boutique luxury property on Watamu beach, known for whale shark snorkel trips. December is an excellent whale shark month; the lodge’s house reef is accessible directly from the beach. Festive period demand is high - book by September for Christmas week. Rates approximately USD 400–600/night room only (festive surcharges December 23–January 3). Search availability at Hemingways Watamu. Undecided between the two resorts? Read Diani vs Watamu.
December Costs: Shoulder Rates Until the 20th, Festive Surcharges for Christmas Week
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: Light Safari Clothes, a Rain Jacket for Early December, Festive Evening Wear
- 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.
For a full month-by-month comparison, see our best time to visit Kenya guide. If you’re planning Watamu whale sharks or a beach trip, the Watamu beach guide and Diani beach guide have detailed seasonal tips. For a December 7-day trip combining Nairobi, safari, and coast, see our 7-day Kenya itinerary.
Plan Your Trip
December splits neatly in two. Early December (before 20th): green-season rates with improving dry conditions - excellent value at Amboseli (Kilimanjaro views returning through the month) and Samburu. Christmas and New Year (20th–31st): lodges switch to festive pricing and fill quickly - Tortilis Camp in Amboseli and Elephant Bedroom in Samburu both run Christmas specials, as does Diani Beach’s AfroChic. For the festive window, book 3–4 months ahead and secure flights to Kenya even earlier - December 20–January 2 routes are among the year’s busiest. Travel insurance is essential for any festive travel. An eSIM covers Nairobi, the parks, and the coast; Diani to Amboseli by road takes a hired car approximately 5 hours via Nairobi.