Weather in Nairobi in May
May in Nairobi is warm outdoor weather. Days are long enough to be useful. Shade starts to matter at midday.
In Kenya, this is how Nairobi actually wears May, not how a country centroid would. Compared with March and July, May sits in the middle of Nairobi's year.
Pack for Nairobi in May, not for a brochure that was photographed in another season.
- Average temp
- 20°C
15–25°C
- Rainfall
- 103 mm
Showers likely
- Sunshine
- 5.8 h
hours per day
What to expect
Daytime
Warm days in Nairobi in May. A hat starts to earn its keep at midday. Evenings are the comfortable part of the clock.
You can walk at more hours than in the fierce months. Still build in a pause when the sun is high. Nights are easy.
Rain
May is a wetter month in Nairobi. Showers are part of the deal, not a spoiled surprise.
Waterproof shoes matter more than a rain plan for a beach, especially if a beach is not why you came. Build indoor hours into the afternoon.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What to pack
Rain jacket
A layer for cooler evenings
Where to stay in Nairobi
Dates are a starting point for May.
Travel guides for Nairobi
What to read before you book.
Average weather in Nairobi
TemperatureRainfall
Check another month
This is the month you are reading. Change either side to look at another.
FAQs about Nairobi
Climate averages for Nairobi, 1991–2020.
The best time to visit Nairobi is between June and October, the most comfortable stretch of the year on these averages.
March is the hottest month, with an average around 22°C.
November is the wettest month, with about 128 mm of rain.
No. These are 1991–2020 climate normals from Meteostat, not a live forecast. Actual weather in any given week can differ.
