The Best Time To Visit Nairobi, Kenya: A Complete Guide to Nairobi : The dry season, which lasts from late June to October, is the best time to visit Nairobi and is also the best time to see wildlife. Nairobi is elevated, so its year-round temperatures are frequently quite mild. The best time for tourists to see the beautiful wildlife in the bush and the stunning beaches along Kenya’s eastern coast is in the late summer and early fall.
Visits to the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and Nairobi Snake Park are both popular tourist attractions during this time. Regardless of your choice of travel date, this guide will assist you in getting ready for your trip to Nairobi, also known as the “Green City in the Sun.”
WEATHER IN NAIROBI
Nairobi is located at an altitude of 5,400 feet, so the climate is generally warm. The typical daytime temperature ranges between 77 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit from December to March. Nairobi experiences two distinct rainy seasons. The first is a lengthy wet season that lasts from mid-March to May, and the second is a brief wet season that starts in late October and lasts through December.
POPULAR EVENTS AND FESTIVALS
There are numerous annual cultural festivals and events held in Nairobi. Some of these celebrations include the Madaraka Day festival, which takes place in the summer, and Kenyatta Day and Jamhuri Day, which take place later in the winter. The longest-running music festival in the nation, the Kenya Music Festival, which features a variety of African artists, is also located in Nairobi.
Due to the presence of both Christians and Muslims in the city, it also hosts a variety of religious gatherings and festivals. Muslims in the area are known to observe Ramadan and the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. Many shops will likely be closed during the day during Ramadan until local Muslims break their fast at sunset.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN NAIROBI
In Nairobi, there are a ton of attractions to enjoy all year. Some of them are the Karen Blixen Museum, the Nairobi National Museum, the Nairobi Giraffe Center, and Nairobi National Park. Nairobi offers tourists a wide range of activities, from shopping and city tours to museums and safaris.
Visitors should be aware that January and February, as well as the dry months of July through October, are the best times to schedule Nairobi tourist activities. The best times to go on safari are during these times, because you shouldn’t go to the parks during the rainy season. Avoid scheduling a trip from late October to December and the rainy months of March to May. Bring enough clothes, preferably in layers, so you can adjust your attire according to the weather.
January
Visitors can anticipate warm, spring-like temperatures in January, with daytime highs averaging around 80 degrees F. After sunset, however, the temperature can fall to the mid-fifties during the evenings.
Events to check out: Since January falls during the dry season, it is a wonderful time to enjoy wildlife watching. Also starting at the end of January is Nairobi Restaurant Week.
February
The busiest month in Nairobi, Kenya, is February. Temperatures continue to be in the 80s, and days are typically hot and dry.
Check out the International Safaricom Jazz Festival, which is held every February and features both local acts and performers from around the world.
March
Large annual downpours begin in Nairobi and across Kenya in March. It’s a great time for wildlife sightings because there is a lot of still water for animals to drink, but it can be a bit uncomfortable on the roads.
Events to check out: March is a typical month for observing wildlife in wetlands and watering holes. March is also when the annual Kenya Kite Festival takes place.
April
April showers are common at this time of year, and the heaviness of the rain makes travel challenging for visitors. Consequently, it becomes even more challenging to see wildlife.
Events to check out: Locals frequently hold informal celebrations on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, which are recognized as public holidays. The holidays will see a lot of businesses close.
May
Rainfall from the spring continues into May, resulting in lush vegetation all around the city. But by late May, the rains had stopped, and by the end of the month, the horizon shone brilliantly with breathtaking views.
Events to check out: The government hosts events in Uhuru Park for local Kenyans to celebrate Labor Day.
June
By June, rain showers had finally stopped, and the days were getting brighter. Millions of zebra and wildebeest start their annual migration by mid-June.
Check out these events: On June 1, a festival called Madaraka Day honors Kenya’s independence. Madaraka is the Swahili word for “authority or ruling power.” Early to mid-June each year is also when the NBO Film Festival is held.
July
July is the best month to travel because of the warm temperatures, which average in the high 70s F. During this busy tourist season, visitors can choose from a variety of safari experiences. Nairobi experiences the least amount of rainfall in July. Check out the Kenya Safari Rally Motorsports competition, which takes place annually in Nairobi in July.
August
The busiest time of year to travel to Nairobi is August. Although the average temperature is in the mid-seventies Fahrenheit, if you’re planning a trip, be sure to reserve your lodging in advance because there may not be much availability and prices can be high.
Check out the Kenya Music Festival, which typically takes place in August over a 10-day span in Nairobi and features a wide range of African performers from all over the continent.
September
Nairobi experiences another dry and cool month in September, making it a fantastic time to travel to the busy metropolis. Lower 70s are the norm for highs.
Check out these events: Beginning in late September, the Agricultural Society of Kenya will host the Nairobi International Trade Fair.
October
Beginning in late October, there will be a brief period of rain. However, it’s still a great time to go because, for those interested in safari drives, it’s the start of the migratory bird and wildebeest seasons.
Check out the international rugby tournament, the Tusker Safari Sevens, which is held in Nairobi. For the yearly competition, it attracts rugby players of the highest caliber.
November
More brief rainy periods occur in November, and the month as a whole averages 2 inches of precipitation. The brief rains, however, are ideal for those who enjoy watching animals because they barely interfere with their viewing.
Events to check out: Outside of Nairobi, in Lamu, Muslims celebrate the birth of Prophet Mohammed with the official Maulidi Festival. Tourists should expect to see locals holding smaller gatherings in Nairobi’s city center as well as in parks and other public spaces.
December
Nairobi is at its most beautiful and affordable in December because it is not the peak travel season. The majority of the city is lush and green, providing incredibly picturesque views.
Check out the annual Pawa Festival, a street festival that features a variety of performing and visual artists. The Jamhuri Day festival, which commemorates the day Kenya became a republic, is another annual event that takes place in December.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT NAIROBI?
Nairobi is best visited between June and October, when the weather is mild and rain is less likely because it is the dry season.
WHEN IS NAIROBI’S HOTTEST MONTH?
With an average high temperature of 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius) and an average low temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius), February is the hottest month in Nairobi.
WHAT IS NAIROBI’S COLDEST MONTH?
With an average high temperature of 71 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius) and an average low temperature of 54 degrees Fahrenheit (12 degrees Celsius), July is the coldest month in Nairobi.
