best time to visit laikipia highlands

January sits in the December to March dry period and is an excellent time to visit. Wildlife concentrates around water sources, making sightings reliable, and conditions suit walking, riding and camel safaris.

Expect warmer summer temperatures, with minimums around 20C and maximums up to 34C. Clearer skies favour night drives, off-road photography and sleepouts under the stars.

February continues the second dry period and delivers some of the best game viewing of the year. Animals gather at water, and wide, dusty views open up for photography.

Days are warm in the summer range and skies are usually clear. Walking and riding safaris are at their most comfortable, and night-sky conditions for sleepouts are strong.

March is transitional, opening dry before the long rains arrive. Early in the month wildlife remains concentrated, but conditions shift as the wet season sets in.

Temperatures stay in the warm summer range. As rain returns the landscape begins to green up, wildlife disperses and birding improves, though some extended walking safaris may be adapted.

April falls within the long rains, March to June, when wildlife disperses across greener country. Sightings are less concentrated and some activities may be adapted to conditions.

The landscapes are often very beautiful and birding is frequently excellent. Temperatures remain mild, but expect wetter ground that affects walking and off-road movement.

May is firmly in the long rains, with dispersed wildlife and green, wet country. Game viewing is harder than in the dry months, and extended walking safaris may be adapted.

This is a rewarding time for birding and for travellers who value lush scenery. Conditions are damp underfoot, so plan activities around the weather.

June marks the tail of the long rains as conditions begin to dry out. Wildlife starts to regroup, though the month bridges wet and dry rather than offering peak viewing.

Winter temperatures arrive, cooler with minimums around 11C and maximums near 25C. As the ground dries, walking and riding safaris become easier.

July opens the peak July to September dry season, the best time of year to visit. Wildlife concentrates around water, giving the highest probability of dense sightings.

Cool winter temperatures make walking, riding and camel safaris comfortable. Wide, dusty views suit night drives and off-road photography, with clearer skies for sleepouts.

August is at the heart of the peak dry season and delivers consistently strong wildlife viewing. Animals gather at water sources across the open savanna.

Mild winter days, with maximums around 25C, make for easy walking and riding. Clear conditions favour photography and night-sky sleepouts.

September closes the peak dry window and remains ideal for big game. Concentrated wildlife and wide views make this a rewarding month before the short rains.

Temperatures stay in the cool winter range. Walking, riding and camel safaris are at their best, and skies are usually clear for night drives.

October brings the short rains, marking a shift away from the dry season. Early sightings can still be good, but wildlife begins to disperse as the land greens.

The scenery turns lush and birding picks up. Some activities may be adapted to wetter conditions, so build flexibility into the itinerary.

November sits within the short rains, with dispersed wildlife and green landscapes. Game viewing is less reliable than the dry months, though the country looks beautiful.

Warmer summer temperatures return. Birding is often excellent, but extended walking safaris may be adapted around the rain.

December is a month of two halves: the short rains usually finish around the middle of the month, and the late-December to February dry spell then opens, with wildlife concentrating around water and conditions firming up. Warm days and clear evenings return as the rain clears.

Walking, riding and camel safaris get easier by the week, and clearer skies suit night drives and sleepouts under the stars, so the second half is the one to book.