End of the wetter season · Weather & things to do
Nairobi in May
Nairobi edges cooler than April, with highs of 77°F (25°C), lows of 56°F (13°C) and about 2.9 in (73 mm) of rain.
Its comfort score of 79/100 is still Good, though it ranks 11th of 12 here.
- Avg high
- 77°F (25°C)
- Avg low
- 56°F (13°C)
- Rain
- 2.9 in (73 mm)
- Humidity
- 75%
- Cloud cover
- 70%
- Daylight
- ~11 h 56 min
- Comfort score
- 79/100 · Great
What May feels like
Warm afternoons near 77°F (25°C) make long days outdoors easy.
Nights cool to an average low of 56°F (13°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 2.9 in (73 mm).
Plan around May
May is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – September and December & January.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, March – May.
- Comfort improves from 75/100 in April to 79/100.
- Our Kenya & Tanzania Safari route recommends Jun – Oct, so May falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for May
- Light, breathable clothes77°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Nairobi in May
May is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Orphaned elephant nursery inside Nairobi National Park, open to visitors for a daily one-hour viewing.
Why now May scores 79/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Kazuri Beads
Workshop in Karen employing local women to hand-make ceramic beads and pottery; tours are free.
Giraffe Centre
Raised platform for feeding endangered Rothschild giraffes, run by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife.
Why now Highs near 77°F and 2.9 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Carnivore Restaurant
Long-running open-fire grill where waiters carve skewered meats at the table until you lower your flag.
The Talisman
Garden restaurant in a Karen villa mixing Asian, Middle Eastern and European plates.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Nearby in May
- Maasai Mara in May~117 mi · highs 77°F, 4.1 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Serengeti in May~155 mi · highs 79°F, 2.6 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Ngorongoro in May~160 mi · highs 72°F, 3.7 in rain · 3°C (6°F) cooler by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Nairobi in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Nairobi?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 79/100, held back mainly by cloud cover. The best months are June – September and December & January. Expect highs of 77°F (25°C) and 2.9 in (73 mm) of rain. Our Kenya & Tanzania Safari route recommends Jun – Oct, so May is outside its suggested window.
How hot is Nairobi in May?
Average highs are 77°F (25°C) and average lows 56°F (13°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Nairobi in May?
Some: about 2.9 in (73 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 23.7 in (601 mm).
What should I pack for Nairobi in May?
Bring light, breathable clothes (77°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (strong sun this month), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Nairobi
Planning Nairobi in May?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.