Tourist Kenya is enjoying the ‘post-August holiday’ effect.
The incoming of tourists compared to the beginning of the season has not dropped at all, on the contrary, it tends to rise, both in beach and safari destinations.
Flight prices are falling, accommodation prices are falling, and those who had booked their African trip after 20 August are being joined by ‘last minute’ visitors, especially for a relaxing holiday, also because it is very difficult to find a ‘hole’ on safari.
In addition, the end of summer is approaching, and what could be better than putting some ‘African sickness’ in your soul and in your memories, to reserve for the Italian winter with all the stress it brings?
The last reason, which we are seeing from the letters and messages we are receiving these days, is the fear of a new pandemic (by the way, in my opinion, the comparison with covid 19 seems far-fetched). Many ‘addicts’ from Kenya are wondering whether they will still be able to pop over to their favourite place in a few months' time, so to avoid any misunderstandings they are anticipating the trip.
Needless to say, the very popular Watamu is always at the top of the list, but the boom at the end of August also benefits Malindi, which has suffered the most from the drop in admissions (historically, however, the town, more residential than touristy, experiences its peak from Christmas to Easter), Kilifi, which is increasingly a favourite destination for young people and an emerging international destination, and Diani, which always has its charm.
Paraphrasing the ancient Greeks, if the coast smiles, Nairobi and the Rift Valley do not weep: as we said, Kenya remains mainly a safari destination, the numbers say so, and the August of migrations and the green and densely populated savannah also confirms this.
As the agencies advise, it is already worth booking your safari for 2025, because not only are the organisers taken by storm, but also the best lodges and tented camps, with the best value for money, are taken by storm.
Our advice for those arriving at this time in and around Nairobi is to also bring late autumn Italian clothing, contrary to the seasonal average, it is still quite cool.
Temperatures are average, i.e. late spring, on the other hand on the coast, with a pleasant wind that mitigates the humidity and makes the days very pleasant, especially in contrast to the Mediterranean heat.
Here, the advice is to be careful about sun exposure, as the breeze and the frequent passage of clouds can be deceptive, but the equatorial sun, if you overdo it, can give you problems, both of skin irritation and sunstroke.