Best time to visit Nairobi

January to February and July to October. Month by month below, with the weather, what's on and what it costs to fly there from your city.

January to February and July to October

Sources favor the dry months, January to February and July to October, for wildlife and good weather around Nairobi.

“The best time to visit Nairobi is from late June to October, which is the dry season and an excellent time to view wildlife.” tripsavvy.com
“Visitors generally rush to Kenya during the country's dry seasons, which run from January to March and July to October” kenyaimmigration.org
“Most safari destinations are at their best during the dry season from June to October or December to March” intrepidtravel.com

5 of the 9 travel guides we read name these months.

Nairobi month by month

Average high and low in Nairobi, and days with rain

Best timeJanuary80°F / 57°F · 4 rainy daysChecking fares…Dry and sunny, with lower visitor numbers and good wildlife viewing.Nairobi Restaurant Week begins at the end of January.Nairobi averages about 24°C in January with around 4 rain days.
Best timeFebruary81°F / 57°F · 4 rainy daysChecking fares…Hot and dry, still good for wildlife viewing and hiking.Tripsavvy calls February high season in Nairobi, with the International Safaricom Jazz Festival.Typically one of the hottest and driest months, with days around 27°C.
March82°F / 59°F · 7 rainy daysChecking fares…The main rainy season starts, with rain often arriving in the second half of the month.Roads can be rough, but accommodation is cheaper outside peak season.The Kenya Kite Festival takes place in March.
April79°F / 60°F · 11 rainy daysChecking fares…One of the rainiest months; roads can be treacherous and some lodges close.Heavy rain makes moving around and spotting wildlife harder.Good Friday and Easter Sunday are public holidays and many places close.
May77°F / 59°F · 9 rainy daysChecking fares…Rain stays high until late in the month, then eases.Rains let up by late May and the city is green.Labour Day events are held in Uhuru Park.
June75°F / 56°F · 4 rainy daysChecking fares…The rains subside and brighter days begin.Madaraka Day is on June 1 and the NBO Film Festival runs early to mid-June.Dry weather returns and safaris become worthwhile again.
Best timeJuly75°F / 53°F · 2 rainy daysChecking fares…Warm, with the lowest rainfall of the year in Nairobi.The coolest month of the year in Nairobi.July is the driest month, with under an inch of rain on average.
Best timeAugust75°F / 55°F · 2 rainy daysChecking fares…Wildebeest crossings draw crowds to the Masai Mara in July and August.Cool, dry months run July through September.
Best timeSeptember79°F / 55°F · 2 rainy daysChecking fares…The wildebeest are still in the Mara, with fewer people than in July and August.Cool, dry season with daytime highs of 70 to 77 F.
Best timeOctober80°F / 58°F · 6 rainy daysChecking fares…Wildebeest remain in the Mara in October and November before heading back to the Serengeti.The short rains begin in mid to late October.
November78°F / 60°F · 14 rainy daysChecking fares…Short rains cause less disruption than the long rains and refresh the vegetation.November is the wettest month of the short rainy season.Rain, when it comes, is usually passing afternoon or night storms.
December78°F / 59°F · 7 rainy daysChecking fares…Early December is quiet, with short grass that makes wildlife easy to see.December and January are the busiest tourist months.

Weather: Nairobi averages from Deutscher Wetterdienst (1961 to 1990 averages), as listed in its climate table on Wikipedia.

Every date to Nairobi from your city

Live fares from your airport. Watch them and we alert you when they drop.

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

June to OctoberDry season with the wildebeest migration, the traditional high season in Kenya.
December and JanuaryDry weather and visitors from the northern hemisphere mean larger crowds.

Quietest

April to MayThe long rains bring lower visitor numbers and prices but harder wildlife viewing.
March to MayLodges may shut down and travel can be tough during the long rains.

Watch for

March to MayFlash flooding, storms and road closures can disrupt travel.
AprilRoads can be treacherous and the coast becomes very hot and wet.
RamadanMany stores close during the day until sunset.

Questions people ask

Which month is the coldest in Nairobi?: July is the coolest month, at about 71 F on average.
What is the hottest month in Kenya?: February is the hottest month in Nairobi, at about 81 F.
What is the best month to go to Kenya?: One operator says the dry season July to October is most popular, but prefers the quieter shoulder months.

Best time to visit Nairobi

January to February and July to October

Nairobi month by month

Every date to Nairobi from your city

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

Best time to visit other places

Best time to visit Nairobi

January to February and July to October

Nairobi month by month

Every date to Nairobi from your city

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

Best time to visit other places