The month in detail
What to expect in May
In May, Nairobi sees 24°C during the day with 5.8h of sunshine per day. Expect rain on 29% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended. A good balance between weather and crowds, even if February (9.2/10) remains theoretically better.
May ranks 10 out of 12 months in Nairobi. Compared to April: 7 pts fewer rainy days, −1.0h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
8 · high
sunscreen and hat advised
Feels like
comfortable
14°
Daylight
11.9h of daylight
Air quality
fair
AQI 43
Compare
Is May the right month?
The best month in Nairobi is February (9.2/10), 1.4 pt higher than May.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Nairobi
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Nairobi
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a city break.
Country · Kenya
🗣️LanguageEnglish
💶CurrencyShilling kényan (KSh)
🚗DrivingLeft-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘSafe · 2/5
💰Cost of living ⓘVery cheap · 1/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeEquatorial tropical
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthFebruary · 28°C
❄️Coolest monthJune · 23°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘNovember · 46%
🏛️ City break
📅Tourist peak seasonJune → August
☔Indoor sights ⓘYear-round
🚇Public transportGood
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Nairobi ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
KenyaEquatorial tropical climate with a 9.2 → 7.5 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
1.29°S · 36.82°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Nairobi?
February is the best month with 28.0°C highs, 15.0°C lows, 9.4h of sunshine and 12.0% rainy days. The months of February & January offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Nairobi get in February?
Nairobi averages 9.4 sunshine hours per day in February. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.9/10.
What is the rainiest month in Nairobi?
November is the most unfavourable month with November has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Nairobi in February?
In February, overnight lows reach 15.0°C, while afternoon highs average 28.0°C.
Is Nairobi good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Nairobi scores 8.4/10 on average — Decent period conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains February with a score of 8.9/10.
When should you avoid Nairobi?
November is the most difficult month to visit Nairobi, with November has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Do you need sun protection in Nairobi in May?
The average UV index reaches 8 in May in Nairobi (high), with about 11.9h of daylight. Sunscreen and hat advised.