Nairobi sits at around 1,700 metres, just south of the equator, which gives it a mild climate: warm days, cool nights, and no real winter or summer. What changes through the year is the rain.
The seasons
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| January - February | Dry, sunny and the warmest time of year |
| March - May | The long rains. April is usually the wettest month |
| June - August | Dry, grey and cool. July is the coldest month, with chilly mornings and evenings |
| September - October | Dry and warming up |
| October - December | The short rains, usually heaviest in November |
Daytime temperatures are typically in the low to mid twenties Celsius for most of the year, rising towards the high twenties in February and March. Nights are cooler, and in July they can drop to around ten degrees. The rains tend to come as heavy afternoon or evening downpours rather than all-day drizzle.
What to pack
- Layers. A jumper or light jacket for mornings, evenings and the cool months. Many houses have no heating.
- Rain gear in the rainy seasons, and shoes that can cope with mud.
- Sun protection. The sun is strong at this altitude even when it feels cool.
How the rains change daily life
- Traffic. Rain slows the whole city. Allow much more time, and expect matatu fares to rise.
- Flooding. Low-lying roads and estates flood in heavy downpours. Do not drive or walk through moving water.
- Water and power. Supply often improves in the rainy months, but storms can bring power cuts.
- Mosquitoes increase after the rains, though Nairobi’s altitude keeps malaria risk low. See Healthcare in Nairobi.
The best time to visit
January to February and June to October are the dry seasons, and the best for safaris and day trips, when roads are passable and wildlife gathers near water. See Day trips from Nairobi.