If you want heat, December has three answers in Kenya: the north (the hottest, but remote), the low-lying Tsavo and Samburu savanna (hot and dusty, good for game), and the coast (hot, humid and swimmable). Expect 31-32°C on the coast with 28°C sea, 25-26°C in Nairobi and the Mara, and 32-34°C in Tsavo. This page ranks the regions by December daytime temperature, names a town and a hotel in each, and explains which is the best fit for a winter break. All prices are approximate as of 2026. For a wider seasonal comparison, see our Kenya winter sun guide 2026-27 and the Kenya in December guide.
The Ranking at a Glance
| Rank | Region | Town | December day / night | Hotel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Turkana and the north | Loiyangalani | 34-37°C / 25°C | Basic lodges, fly-camping |
| 2 | Tsavo East and West | Voi | 32-34°C / 22°C | Voyager-style safari lodges (check availability) |
| 3 | Samburu and Isiolo | Archer’s Post | 32-33°C / 21°C | Samburu riverside lodges |
| 4 | Lamu archipelago | Shela | 31-32°C / 25°C | Peponi Hotel |
| 5 | Diani and south coast | Diani Beach | 31-32°C / 25°C | Diani Reef Beach Resort & Spa |
| 6 | Watamu and Malindi | Watamu | 31-32°C / 24-25°C | Turtle Bay Beach Club |
| 7 | Kisumu and Lake Victoria | Kisumu | 29-30°C / 18°C | Lakeside hotels |
| 8 | Amboseli | Ol Tukai | 30°C / 18°C | Ol Tukai Lodge |
| 9 | Lake Naivasha and Nakuru | Naivasha | 26-27°C / 11°C | Lakeside lodges |
| 10 | Masai Mara | Sekenani | 26°C / 14-16°C | Mara Serena Safari Lodge |
| 11 | Nairobi | Karen | 25-26°C / 13-15°C | Hemingways Nairobi |
| 12 | Mount Kenya and Laikipia | Nanyuki | 22-24°C / 8-10°C | Nanyuki lodges |
Temperatures are climatological averages and vary by a few degrees each side.
1. The North: Lake Turkana
December is hot, windy and dry around Lake Turkana, with highs near 34-37°C. It is a place for photography, desert landscapes and the Jade Sea, not for resort life. Access is by long drives or light aircraft from Nairobi, and accommodation is basic. For most visitors this is a specialist add-on rather than a winter sun base. See our Lake Turkana guide.
2. Tsavo East and Tsavo West
Tsavo is the hot, red-earth heart of Kenya’s safari circuit. December days reach 32-34°C. Dry conditions pull elephants, buffalo and lion towards waterholes and the Galana and Tsavo rivers. Entry fees and lodge rates are lower than in the Mara. Plan game drives for 6am and 4pm and rest in the heat of the day. See our Tsavo guide and Tsavo stay guide. A Tsavo stop combines naturally with a coast stay, because the Nairobi-Mombasa road passes both parks.
3. Samburu and Isiolo
Samburu sits at about 800 metres in the Ewaso Ng’iro valley, with December highs of 32-33°C. It is dry and dusty, with the Samburu Special Five (Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, gerenuk and beisa oryx) in good view. Our Samburu stay guide covers the riverside camps. See Samburu.
4. Lamu
Lamu’s steady north-east breeze makes 31-32°C feel milder. Shela’s beach is long, and the only vehicles are donkeys and dhows. Peponi Hotel (from approximately USD 200 per person a night) is the established address, and Kijani Hotel is a boutique alternative, also in Shela. See the Lamu guide and Lamu stay guide.
5. Diani and the South Coast
Diani is the strongest all-round beach base in December: 31-32°C, a sea at 28°C, white sand and the widest range of hotels. Diani Reef Beach Resort & Spa runs from approximately USD 120-200 per person full board, and The Sands at Nomad from approximately USD 280-500 a night. Book early for Christmas week. See Diani Beach and Diani hotels.
6. Watamu and Malindi
Watamu has the best snorkelling at the Marine National Park, with Turtle Bay Beach Club from approximately USD 120 per person. Malindi has Sandies Tropical Village for families. Temperatures match Diani, with slightly lower humidity. See Watamu and Malindi.
7 to 12. Inland: Cooler but Pleasant
Kisumu on Lake Victoria is warm and humid at about 29-30°C. Amboseli sits near 30°C with Kilimanjaro views at dawn from Ol Tukai Lodge. Naivasha and Nakuru are mild at about 26°C. The Masai Mara is warm by day and cool at night, at about 26°C and 14-16°C, with rainfall around 80mm for the month. Nairobi is about 25-26°C. Mount Kenya and Laikipia are coolest; frost is possible above the snowline. See our Masai Mara in December guide, Nairobi in December and Amboseli guide.
Which Region Should We Pick?
- Pure beach heat: Diani, Watamu or Lamu.
- Hot and wild: Tsavo East, then Samburu, with a coast extension.
- Comfortable temperatures and big game: the Mara or Amboseli.
- City plus comfort: Nairobi, with a short Wilson flight to the coast.
December is a peak-price month: coast and Mara rooms are approximately 20-50 percent more than in November, and Christmas week is the highest. See Christmas in Kenya 2026 and New Year’s Eve in Kenya 2026 for the festive weeks. For tours, browse Tsavo tours and Diani tours. The Kenya Meteorological Department publishes official forecasts, and the Kenya Wildlife Service lists park fees.
Sun Safety in the Heat
At 32-34°C, an equatorial sun is strong year-round. Wear a hat, drink at least two litres of water on game drives, and reapply sunscreen after swimming. In Tsavo and Samburu, expect dust, so a buff or scarf helps. Check our Kenya health and vaccinations guide before you travel.