Happy Layover

The best time to visit Nairobi

Best weather Jan–Feb and Jul–OctPeak season Jul–Oct2h 30m behind India
Photo: Nite Owl, CC BY 3.0

Nairobi is at its best from January to February and July to October.

It is busiest and priciest in July to October.

Expect the most rain in March to May and November.

Here is every month at a glance, the dates to plan around, and flights from five Indian cities.

Nairobi month by month

Average highs and lows, rain, the season and what's on, for the next twelve months.

MonthWeatherSeasonWhat's on
October 2026Best weather 27° / 15°rainy spells, 90 mm Peak
Dussehra
November 2026 25° / 16°rainy spells, 149 mm Off-season
Diwali
December 2026 25° / 15°some rain, 81 mm Shoulder
Christmas and New Year
January 2027Best weather 26° / 15°some rain, 50 mm Shoulder
Christmas and New YearRepublic Day weekend
February 2027Best weather 28° / 15°mostly dry, 43 mm Shoulder
Hot, dry and green after the short rains: good game viewing with fewer crowds.
March 2027 28° / 16°some rain, 83 mm Off-season
HoliGood Friday weekend
April 2027 26° / 16°wet, 187 mm Off-season
Indian summer holidays
May 2027 24° / 15°rainy spells, 106 mm Off-season
Indian summer holidays
June 2027 24° / 14°mostly dry, 32 mm Shoulder
Indian summer holidays
July 2027Best weather 23° / 13°dry, 18 mm Peak
The Great Migration: wildebeest river crossings in the Maasai Mara, usually July to...
August 2027Best weather 24° / 13°mostly dry, 29 mm Peak
The Great Migration: wildebeest river crossings in the Maasai Mara, usually July to...
September 2027Best weather 26° / 14°mostly dry, 30 mm Peak
The Great Migration: wildebeest river crossings in the Maasai Mara, usually July to...

Dates to plan around

Festivals, holidays and closures in Nairobi, and the Indian holiday rushes that raise fares.

  • 20 OctDussehraDussehra falls on Tuesday 20 Oct: many take the Monday off for a four-day weekend, so short trips abroad cost more that week.
  • 6–10 NovDiwaliDiwali (Lakshmi Puja on Sunday 8 Nov): the busiest travel week of the autumn. Fares out of India rise, and short trips to Dubai, Bangkok and Singapore book up.
  • 19 Dec – 3 JanChristmas and New YearThe priciest fortnight of the year to fly out of India: school holidays, Christmas and New Year all at once. Book early or go just before or after.
  • 23–26 JanRepublic Day weekendRepublic Day falls on Tuesday 26 Jan: take the Monday off and it's a four-day weekend, so short trips abroad book up.
  • 22–23 MarHoliHoli (22-23 Mar) and Good Friday (26 Mar) fall in the same week, a favourite week for short trips abroad, so fares rise.
  • 26–28 MarGood Friday weekendGood Friday (26 Mar) makes a long weekend in India, just after Holi.
  • 15 Apr – 15 Jun · expectedIndian summer holidaysSchool holidays (roughly mid-April to mid-June, varying by state): outbound family travel peaks and fares climb, especially to the Gulf, Southeast Asia and Europe.
  • 27–31 OctDiwaliDiwali (Lakshmi Puja on Friday 29 Oct): the busiest travel week of the autumn. Fares out of India rise, and short trips abroad book up.

Flights to Nairobi from India

The cheapest fare our scanner has seen from each city in the last two weeks. Open a route to price every month live.

Good to know

When is the best time to visit Nairobi?

The best weather in Nairobi is from January to February and July to October. Hot, dry and green after the short rains: good game viewing with fewer crowds. Peak season, with the most visitors and the highest hotel prices, is July to October. The quietest months are March to May and November.

When is the rainy season in Nairobi?

The wettest months are March to May and November. Long rains (April is wettest): muddy park roads, some lodges close, and the lowest prices.

When is Nairobi most crowded?

Peak season is July to October, when stays cost the most and the sights are busiest.

What is the cheapest way to fly to Nairobi from India?

Of the Indian cities we track, Mumbai has the lowest fare right now: ₹40,515 (return, 10 nights) for Sun 25 Oct.

How hot does Nairobi get?

The hottest month is February, with average highs of 28°C; the coolest nights come in July, around 13°C.

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