The climate of Amboseli
Amboseli, located in
Kenya, is classified as having a Marine west coast climate, with warm summers according to the Köppen climate classification. This Cfb climate type is marked by ample precipitation throughout the year with mild temperatures.
Throughout the year, the temperature in Amboseli varies but maintains a comfortable range. High temperatures fluctuate from 26.6°C (79.9°F) in
December to 29.6°C (85.3°F) in
October, while low temperatures oscillate from 15.6°C (60.1°F) in
July to18.9°C (66°F) in
March. The climate remains relatively consistent in terms of humidity, fluctuating between 59% in
September and 83% in December.
Rainfall patterns denote a distinctive characteristic of Amboseli’s climate. There is a pronounced rainy season from March to
May, with May experiencing the maximum rainfall of 106mm (4.17"), as well as a high number of rainy days, reaching 26.3 days. In contrast, there is a dry period from
June to September, with June observing a minimum rainfall of 3mm (0.12"). Moreover, the relative lack of rainy days in this period, with only 2.4 days in July, reinforces this seasonality.
The amount of daylight varies somewhat, from 12 hours in June, July, and
August to 12.3 hours in December and
January. A similar pattern is found when looking at the sunshine hours, with a maximum of 9.7 hours in June and a minimum of 8.5 hours in December. The UV index remains constant throughout the year at 6, indicating a moderate risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure.
The best time to visit Amboseli
The most favourable time to plan a visit to
Amboseli depends on individual weather preferences. Nevertheless, if lower precipitation and warmer days are desirable, the months from
June to
September prove to be a suitable period. The weather stays mostly dry with the rainfall measuring between 1mm (0.04") to 3mm (0.12"), accompanied by a high average temperature of 9.7 hours of sunshine per day. Additionally, the UV index of 6, although constant throughout the year, may necessitate sun protection, particularly in the warmer months.
The worst time to visit Amboseli
During the months of
March,
April, and
May, visitors might find the weather conditions in
Amboseli less favourable due to the increased occurrence of rainfall. While the temperature remains warm, with highs oscillating around 29°C (84.2°F), the relative increase in precipitation might not be ideal, particularly for outdoor activities. With rainfall reaching up to 106mm (4.17") in May on an average of 26.3 days, visitors should be prepared for frequent showers.
Spring weather in Amboseli
In
Amboseli, Spring unfolds from
March to
May. This period marks the onset of the rainy season with high temperatures continuing to hover around 29°C (84.2°F). Rainfall begins to increase significantly, marking the year's wettest season with a peak in May at 106mm (4.17"). The number of rainy days progressively increases, reaching a maximum of 26.3 days in May. Despite the increased precipitation, the duration of daily sunshine remains stable around 9 hours.
Summer weather in Amboseli
The Summer in
Amboseli, running from
June to
August, offers an escape from the wet Spring months. Rainfall drops precipitously to a yearly low of 1mm (0.04") in
July. The number of rainy days plummets as well, reaching a low of 2.4 days in July. With the reduced precipitation, the humidity during these months decreases, falling to 61% in July. Despite the temperature highs ranging from 27.5°C (81.5°F) to 27.8°C (82°F) the cool evenings ensure comfortable conditions as the temperature lows hover around 16°C (60.8°F).
Autumn weather in Amboseli
As
Amboseli enters Autumn from
September to
November, weather conditions begin to change. Although the temperatures run consistently from 27.5°C (81.5°F) to 29°C (84.2°F) as highs and around 18°C (64.4°F) as lows, rainfall starts to increase, reaching a level of 121mm (4.76") in November. This marks the beginning of the second rainy season, with the number of rainy days rising to 25.7 days in November, almost mirroring the pattern observed in the Spring.
Winter weather in Amboseli
Winter in
Amboseli stretches from
December to
February. Despite the typical association of Winter with low temperatures, Amboseli experiences a high of 26.6°C (79.9°F) to 29.3°C (84.7°F), with the lows fluctuating between 16.7°C (62.1°F) in December and 17.6°C (63.7°F) in February. However, rainfall remains fairly substantial in December, with 110mm (4.33") recorded, gradually decreasing to 54mm (2.13") by February. The number of rainy days is also substantially high in December at 26.6 days before tapering off to 16 days in February. Yet, despite the Winter showers, visitors can still enjoy the consistent average of 12.2 hours of daylight in these months.
Weather in January
January in
Amboseli,
Kenya, sees a marked shift from the previous month's weather conditions. The lower temperatures ranging from 16.7°C (62.1°F) to 27.8°C (82°F) and rainfall reaching 56mm (2.2"), make it less harsh than
December.
Weather in January » Weather in February
February weather does not deviate much from
January's climate. Slight warming of the temperature occurs, shifting between 17.6°C (63.7°F) to 29.3°C (84.7°F). February sees a further reduction in rainfall with 54mm (2.13") precipitation recorded, creating an interesting mix of warmth and moisture.
Weather in February » Weather in March
March brings a significant increase in rainfall, reaching 77mm (3.03"), providing a refreshing cover to the landscape. Relative warmth envelops
Amboseli, with temperatures taking an upward turn, spanning 18.9°C (66°F) to 29.5°C (85.1°F).
Weather in March »
Weather in April
Compared to previous months,
April experiences the highest rainfall of the year, receiving 106mm (4.17") of precipitation. Temperatures fluctuate between 18.3°C (64.9°F) and 28.3°C (82.9°F), marking a slight dip from
March. There's a noticeable increase in relative humidity which, coupled with the heightened rainfall, creates a wetter environment.
Weather in April »Weather in May
May brings a welcome respite from the previous month's heavy rainfall, tallying up to around 38mm (1.5"). Temperature values slowly decline, with the range narrowing from 17.1°C (62.8°F) to 27.9°C (82.2°F). Noticeable is the decline in cloud cover percentage compared to
April.
Weather in May » Weather in June
The first month of summer,
June, witnesses a further fall in rainfall, down to a mere 3mm (0.12"). Temperature variations from 16.3°C (61.3°F) to 27.8°C (82°F) mark a transition from the relatively cooler
May. Winds speed up a notch, making June's weather quite pleasant.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July carries on the dry weather trend, receiving a nominal rainfall of 1mm (0.04"), the least in the year. It maintains a temperature range from 15.6°C (60.1°F) to 27.5°C (81.5°F), not far off from
June. Clear skies and long daylight hours mark the summit of summer.
Weather in July » Weather in August
August in
Amboseli sees consistent weather conditions matching those of
July, with an insignificant increase in rainfall to 2mm (0.08"). Temperatures stay within the spectrum of 16.3°C (61.3°F) to 28.1°C (82.6°F), introducing a small tinge of warmth.
Weather in August » Weather in September
September brings back slight showers with 3mm (0.12") rainfall, while keeping temperatures similar to
August, ranging from 16.8°C (62.2°F) to 29°C (84.2°F). Accompanied by longer sunshine hours, it strikes a perfect balance between warmth and precipitation.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
As
October rolls in, there's a substantial increase in rainfall to 35mm (1.38"). However, the temperatures continue to rise, fluctuating between 18.1°C (64.6°F) and 29.6°C (85.3°F). Despite the climatic shift, sunshine hours maintain their consistency.
Weather in October »Weather in November
November, with its enhancing showers at 121mm (4.76"), ushers in the most rainfall after
April. A fairly consistent temperature range from 18.3°C (64.9°F) to 27.5°C (81.5°F) is seen. Dramatic cloud formations become a common sight, increasing the aesthetic charm of the ambience.
Weather in November » Weather in December
December concludes the year's weather cycles in
Amboseli, with a sustained rainfall of 110mm (4.33") and a temperature spectrum from 17.2°C (63°F) to 26.6°C (79.9°F). The chill in the air is offset by the gentle rays of the sun, striking a balance in weather conditions.
Weather in December »