Things to Do in Kenya in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Kenya
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Long rains create spectacular green landscapes - March sits right at the start of the rainy season, meaning you get lush vegetation without the heavy downpours that come in April and May. The Rift Valley and highland areas look absolutely stunning, and wildlife photography benefits from the dramatic cloud formations and golden light between showers.
- Significantly lower accommodation prices compared to peak season - You're looking at 30-40% savings on safari lodges and coastal resorts since March falls outside the main tourist season. Many properties offer flash sales and last-minute deals, particularly in the second half of the month when bookings traditionally slow down.
- Calving season in the Masai Mara means concentrated wildlife action - While the main migration hasn't started yet, resident wildlife congregates around remaining water sources, making game viewing surprisingly productive. Predator action picks up as newborn wildebeest and zebra attract lions and cheetahs, and you'll have far fewer vehicles competing for sightings.
- Coastal waters remain warm at 27-28°C (81-82°F) with excellent visibility for diving - The northeast monsoon winds have calmed down, creating ideal conditions for underwater exploration along the coast and around Watamu Marine Park. Whale shark sightings peak in March and April as they migrate through Kenyan waters feeding on plankton blooms.
Considerations
- Afternoon rain showers disrupt safari schedules about 60% of days - These typically hit between 2pm and 5pm, lasting 30-90 minutes. Many camps adjust game drives to early morning only or offer indoor activities during peak rain hours. Roads in conservancies like Samburu can become temporarily impassable, occasionally requiring itinerary changes.
- Some coastal properties and dive operators close for annual maintenance - March and April represent the traditional low season along the coast, so expect reduced restaurant hours, closed beach clubs, and limited water sports availability in areas like Diani and Malindi. Always confirm operating schedules before booking coastal stays.
- Migration hasn't reached the Mara yet - If witnessing the Great Migration is your primary goal, March is honestly too early. The herds are still in the southern Serengeti in Tanzania and won't cross into Kenya until July. You'll see plenty of resident wildlife, but not the massive herds that define peak season safaris.
Best Activities in March
Amboseli National Park elephant encounters
March offers some of the best elephant viewing in Africa as large herds congregate around Amboseli's permanent swamps. The backdrop of Kilimanjaro appears more frequently in early morning before clouds build up, giving you those iconic tusker-with-mountain photographs. With minimal tourist traffic, you'll often have entire sections of the park to yourself. The light rain keeps dust levels down, improving visibility and making for cleaner wildlife shots.
Lamu Old Town cultural exploration
The Swahili coast in March offers comfortable temperatures without the intense heat of later months. Lamu's car-free streets and centuries-old architecture are best explored on foot during the cooler morning hours. March typically sees the tail end of the Maulidi Festival celebrations, and the dhow sailing conditions are excellent with steady winds. The humidity sits around 70%, which is actually manageable compared to the 85%+ you'd experience in November and December.
Nairobi National Museum and cultural sites
March's variable weather makes Nairobi's indoor attractions particularly valuable. The National Museum recently underwent renovations and offers comprehensive Kenyan history, while the adjacent Snake Park provides educational value for families. The Karen Blixen Museum and Giraffe Centre work well as half-day activities when afternoon showers roll in. Nairobi's elevation at 1,795 m (5,889 ft) means temperatures stay comfortable at 15-26°C (59-79°F) even during midday.
Hell's Gate National Park hiking and cycling
One of Kenya's few parks where you can walk and cycle among wildlife without a guide. March's green landscape makes the dramatic gorges and geothermal features even more photogenic. Morning activities work best before afternoon showers, and the 90 km (56 miles) from Nairobi makes it an easy day trip. The Fischer's Tower rock climbing routes attract adventurous visitors, and you'll spot zebras, giraffes, and various antelope species while cycling the 14 km (8.7 miles) main loop.
Watamu Marine Park snorkeling and diving
March represents peak season for whale shark encounters along the Kenyan coast. Water visibility reaches 15-20 m (49-66 ft), and the coral gardens in Watamu Marine Park show excellent health. The northeast monsoon has ended, creating calm conditions perfect for snorkeling and diving. Water temperature at 27-28°C (81-82°F) means you'll be comfortable in a 3mm wetsuit. Turtle nesting season overlaps with March, offering potential beach encounters at dawn.
Samburu National Reserve wildlife viewing
Samburu's unique northern species - Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, and Somali ostrich - concentrate around the Ewaso Nyiro River during March's dry spells between rains. The semi-arid landscape means less mud than southern parks, and game viewing remains productive even with occasional showers. Elephant research projects operate in the area, sometimes offering educational encounters. The dramatic red earth and acacia landscape photographs beautifully under March's variable cloud cover.
March Events & Festivals
Lamu Cultural Festival
This Swahili cultural celebration typically extends into early March, featuring traditional dhow races, donkey races, henna painting competitions, and Swahili poetry recitals. The festival showcases centuries-old coastal traditions with locals in full traditional dress. You'll find increased accommodation demand in Lamu during this period, so book well ahead if your dates overlap. The festival atmosphere transforms the already atmospheric old town into something genuinely special.