Weather in Great Rift Valley

About Great Rift Valley

The Great Rift Valley cuts through Kenya as Earth's most dramatic geological scar, its escarpments dropping 600 metres into valleys where soda lakes glimmer and wildlife roams. The valley spans 6,000km from Syria to Mozambique.

Country

Kenya

Best months to visit

January, February, March, April, September, December

Currency

KES

Language

English, Swahili

Things to do in Great Rift Valley

Hike escarpment rim trails Spot wildlife in the valleys Visit scenic viewpoints Camp on the rim Photography of geological features Visit geothermal sites

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

Recommended

January

25C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

February

26C

Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.

Recommended

March

26C

Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.

Recommended

April

25C

Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.

May

24C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

June

23C

Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.

July

22C

Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.

August

22C

Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.

Recommended

September

24C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

October

24C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

November

23C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

Recommended

December

24C

Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.

Kenya's stretch of the Great Rift Valley cuts a dramatic trench through the country's highlands, lined with a chain of soda and freshwater lakes — Naivasha, Elementaita, Bogoria and Baringo — each with its own character, from Naivasha's boat trips among hippos to Bogoria's geysers and hot springs. Escarpment viewpoints along the valley's edge offer some of Kenya's most sweeping landscapes, often visited en route between Nairobi and the country's northern and western parks.

Best areas to stay in Great Rift Valley

Lake Naivasha

The closest Rift Valley lake to Nairobi, known for boat safaris and Crescent Island walks.

Lake Elementaita

A quieter soda lake with flamingo and pelican populations and scenic lodges.

Lake Bogoria

Known for hot springs, geysers and dramatic, less-visited scenery.

Escarpment viewpoints

Roadside lookout points along the valley edge offering sweeping views over the rift floor.

Getting to Great Rift Valley

✈

Flights

Fly into Nairobi, then travel by road — Lake Naivasha is around 1.5-2 hours, with other lakes further north.

⏱

From London

~9-10 hours from London plus a short road transfer from Nairobi.

🚕

Getting around

A hired car or driver covers the lakes; boat trips are arranged locally at Naivasha and Baringo.

Frequently asked questions

What are the main lakes in Kenya's Rift Valley?

Lake Naivasha, Lake Elementaita, Lake Bogoria and Lake Baringo are among the most visited, each offering different wildlife and scenery.

Is Lake Naivasha good for activities?

Yes — boat trips among hippos and birdlife, and walking safaris on Crescent Island (which has no predators), are popular.

What is Lake Bogoria known for?

Hot springs and geysers along its shores, plus flamingo populations that shift between Rift Valley lakes depending on conditions.

How far is the Rift Valley from Nairobi?

Lake Naivasha is around 1.5-2 hours by road from Nairobi, making the Rift Valley one of the easiest scenic escapes from the capital.

Can you combine Rift Valley lakes with safari parks?

Yes — they're often visited en route to Lake Nakuru, the Maasai Mara, or as a standalone weekend trip from Nairobi.

Traveler reviews

★★★★☆

The boat trip on Naivasha got us close to hippos and fish eagles, and walking among giraffe and zebra on Crescent Island afterwards was a great contrast.

Simon T. · June 2023

★★★★★

Lake Bogoria's hot springs and geysers were unexpectedly dramatic — steam rising right along the shoreline with flamingos nearby.

Faith M. · September 2022

★★★★☆

An easy weekend escape from Nairobi — the escarpment views on the drive down were some of the best scenery of our whole trip.

James K. · December 2023