The Best Time to Visit Nairobi : Nairobi City is not just the capital of Kenya, but also a great tourist destination, the best time to visit Nairobi is from Late June to October which is the dry season and an excellent time to view wildlife in wildlife parks such as Nairobi national park. Due to elevation, Nairobi national park’s year-round temperatures are often quite mild, however in the late summer months, going into fall is when the visitors can enjoy magnificent views of the animals throughout the bush and also the stunning beaches along the Kenya’s Eastern Coast.
Nairobi City has a number of tourist attractions/ sites to visit while in the city and these include Nairobi national park, the Nairobi Snake Park, The Giraffe Center and Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, regardless of when you decided to visit Nairobi City, this guide will help you prepare for your trip to Nairobi also known as The Green City in the Sun.
Weather in Nairobi
Nairobi is at a 5,400 – foot elevation with its year-round temperatures being relatively warm. From December to March, you can experience average temperatures between 77 and 82 degrees F during the day. Additionally, Nairobi City has 2 different rainy seasons, one is a long rainy season lasting from mid-March to May and then a shorter rainy season which begins from late October through December.
Popular Events and Festivals
Nairobi hosts a number of events and festivals throughout the year, some of these include
- the Madaraka Day festival held in the summer months
- The Kenyatta Day and Janhuri Day held later in the winter months
- The Kenya Musical Festival – the country’s longest running music festival showcasing an array of African artists.
Nairobi City also hosts a mix of religious events and festivals due to having both Christians and Muslims represented throughout the city, the local celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr and Ramadan. During Ramadan, expect many stores to be closed during the day until sunset when the local Muslims break their fast.
Tourist Attractions in Nairobi
Nairobi City has tones of attractions you can enjoy year round, these include the Nairobi National Museum, The Nairobi Giraffe Center, Nairobi National Park, and the Karen Blixen Museum. From museums and safaris to shopping and city tours. Regardless of your interests as an individual, Nairobi has you covered with numerous things to do.
Note
The best time to plan Nairobi tourist activities is during the dry months of July through October and in January and February, these are the best times for going on safari as you do not want to visit the parks during the rainy months.
Avoid planning a visit during the rainy months of March to May and from late October to Decembers.
Bring adequate clothing mostly dressing in layers, this makes it easy to dress up or down depending on the conditions.
Monthly Breakdown
January
In January, tourists can expect warm spring – like temperatures averaging around 80 degrees F in the day time, however, in the evening the temperatures can drop to the mid- 50s after sunset.
Event to check out in January – Nairobi Restaurant week which begins at the end of January, this month is a fabulous time to enjoy wildlife watching as it is a dry season.
February
February is a high season in Nairobi, Kenya and days tend to be hot and dry with temperatures continuing in the 80s
Events to checkout in February – The annual International Safari.com Jazz Festival is held in February, the event features community – based acts and international performers.
March
March is the start of big annual rainfalls in Nairobi and throughout Kenya, it is an affordable time to visit Nairobi, however roads can be a bit unbearable but it’s a great time for wildlife sightings due to the amount of still water for animals to drink
Events to check out in March: Wildlife watching in watering holes and wetlands in Nairobi national park, the annual Kenya Kite Festival is also held in this month.
April
April showers are prominent during this time making it difficult for tourists to move about due to heavy rains, thus making it even more difficult to spot wildlife.
Events to checkout in April: locals celebrate Good Friday and Easter Sunday which are public holidays with small gatherings, many establishments will be closed for these holidays.
May
Spring showers continue through May, bring about lush greenery around the city. However, he rains let up by late May making the horizon shine bright with stunning views by the end of the month.
Events to Checkout in May: local Kenyans celebrate Labor Day by attending events in Uhuru Park hosed by the government.
June
By June, rain showers finally subside and brighter days begin, by mid-June the annual migration of zebra and wildebeests begin.
Events to checkout in June – The annual Madaraka Dat festival held on June 1 to celebrate self-rule in Kenya, Madaraka in Swahili means “authority or ruling power”. The NBO Film Festival also takes place from early to mid-June annually.
July
In July temperatures are warm with an average temperature in the high 70s F which makes it an ideal time to visit, tourists can enjoy an array of safari options during the high seasonal time. July also offers the lowest amount of rainfall in Nairobi.
Events to check out in July – The Annual Kenya Safari Motorsports competition typically occurs in Nairobi in July.
August
August is an extension of the high season with mid average temperatures in mid-70s, however if you are planning to visit Nairobi in this month, make sure to book your accommodations early as prices can be high due to low availability.
Events to checkout in August – The Kenya Music Festival which is held in August for a period of over 10 days, this festival attracts international acts and Africa performers from across the continent.
September
September is another drier month and cooler which makes it a great time to visit the bustling city of Nairobi. High average in the lower 70s F.
Events to checkout in September: The Nairobi International Trade Fair begins in late September, this event is hosted by The Agricultural Society of Kenya.
October
Late October marks the start of the short rainy season, however it is still a fantastic time to visit Nairobi as it is the beginning of both the migratory bird and wildebeest season for those interested in safari drives.
Events to checkout in October – The International Ruby Tusker Safari Sevens, this event brings about world-class rugby players for the annual tournament.
November
November receives about more short rainy periods with an average of 2 inches of rain overall throughout the month, however the short rains are perfect for animal watchers as it minimally disrupts the animal viewing.
Events to Checkout in November: The formal Maulid Festival takes place outside of Nairobi in Lamu which is when Muslims celebrate the birth of prophet Mohammed. Tourists can expect to see locals having smaller gatherings within Nairobi city and at parks and establishments.
December
December is an ideal time to visit Nairobi due to its magnificent mild weather and affordable prices since it is not high season, the city is primarily lush and green offering incredibly scenic views.
Events to ckeck out in December: The annual Pawa Festival which is a street festival hosting various visual and performing artists. The Jamhuri Day festival celebrating when Kenya officially became a republic.
