What is the weather like in Nairobi in May?

Expect temperatures between 15°C and 24°C with 36% average rain probability and about 8 hours of sunshine daily.

What is the weather like in Nairobi in May?

Nairobi in May scores 65/100 based on 30 years of climate data. Very good conditions overall.

Who should visit Nairobi in May?

May in Nairobi is ideal for: Cultural tourists, Business travelers.

Nairobi Weather in May | 30-Year Forecast

Avg High

24°C

Hottest around day 1

Avg Low

15°C

Coolest around day 31

Rainy Days

16days

36% avg rain chance

Sunshine

8hrs/day

Spring season

Essential Travel Info for Nairobi

🗓️ Best Time to Visit 📖 Travel Guide 🍴 Food Guide

Currency

KES

Sh Kenyan shilling

Language

English

+1 more

Driving

Left side

Connect

There are very many internet cafés aroun...

Safety

Moderate Safety

GPI: 2.303

Travel Intelligence

Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Nairobi

Smart Flight Estimator

Airport-to-Airport Logistics

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Flight Connectivity Analysis

Airport traffic data & seasonal patterns

Moderate

43/ 100

Traffic Index

Balanced traffic

Peak Daily Arrivals

slots per day

Peak

Apr

Low

Nov

Monthly Traffic Distribution

109

Jan

124

Feb

125

Mar

128

Apr

123

May

110

Jun

103

Jul

121

Aug

109

Sep

112

Oct

103

Nov

117

Dec

Traffic Level

Low Season

Key Connections

Mombasa Moi (MBA)

Kisumu (KIS)

Kampala Entebbe (EBB)

Kigali (KGL)

Dar es Salaam Julius Nyerere (DAR)

Health & Safety Advisory

CDC travel health recommendations

13 Recommendations

COVID-19

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please seeYour COVID-19 Vaccinationfor more information.

Chikungunya

All travelers should take steps to prevent mosquito bites. Chikungunya vaccination is generally not recommended. Travelers who wish to consider vaccination can visit “What to consider before traveling” on thechikungunya vaccinespage to learn more.

Cholera

Areas of active cholera transmission arelocalizedto the counties of Garissa (last case reported 3-6 months ago), Kisumu (last case reported 6-9 months ago), Kwale (last case reported 6-9 months ago), Migori (last case reported in the past 3 months), Mombasa (last case reported 6-9 months ago), Nairobi (last case reported in the past 3 months), Narok (last case reported in the past 3 months), and Turkana (last case reported 3-6 months ago) in Kenya. Cholera is rare in travelers.Certain factorsmay increase the risk of getting cholera or having severe disease (more information). Avoiding unsafe food and water and washing your hands can also help prevent cholera.Vaccination may be considered for children and adults who are traveling to areas of active cholera transmission.

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Kenya.Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.Travelers allergic to a vaccine component should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, are immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Kenya. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Kenya.

Malaria

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Kenya take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.Transmission areasAll areas (including game parks) <2,500 m (<8,200 ft) elevation; rare cases in the highly urbanized central part of the city of Nairobi (the capital)Drug resistanceChloroquineSpeciesP. falciparum(primarily)P. malariae,P. ovale, andP. vivax(less commonly)Recommended chemoprophylaxisAtovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine2Highly urbanized central part of the city of Nairobi: No chemoprophylaxis recommended (insect bite precautions and mosquito avoidance only)4Updated April 23, 2025See footnotes

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Source: CDC Travelers' Health

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Is May a Good Time to Visit Nairobi?

👍Very good conditions overall(65/100)

Short Answer

May is Nairobi's peak season for good reason: 24°C temperatures and 36% rain probability. But expect crowds (96% of annual maximum) and premium prices.

Decision Factors

Vaccinations required

Yellow Fever

Peak tourist season

96% of annual peak - expect crowds and peak prices

Ideal temperature range

23.6°C - perfect for sightseeing and outdoor activities

Health precautions needed

Be aware of: Leptospirosis, Melioidosis, Schistosomiasis

Plenty of sunshine

10.2h of sunshine daily

Good For

🏛️
Cultural tourists
Comfortable conditions for exploring museums and sites
💼
Business travelers
Climate-controlled meetings unaffected by weather

Who Should Avoid

💰
Budget travelers
Peak season means premium prices everywhere
👴
Elderly travelers
76% humidity creates difficult conditions

"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA POWER satellite data,Nairobi in May averages 24°C with 36% precipitation probability."

📊 Source: 30YearWeather.com🛰️ Data: NASA POWER (1991-2021)View Methodology →

Frequently Asked Questions: Nairobi in May

What are the temperatures in Nairobi in May?

Daytime highs average 24°C, nights drop to 15°C. Temperatures remain fairly consistent.

How many rainy days in Nairobi in May?

Expect around 16 days with measurable rainfall. An umbrella is advisable.

What to wear in Nairobi in May?

Comfortable casual wear with a light jacket for evenings.

Is May peak season in Nairobi?

This is shoulder season—moderate prices and manageable crowds.

Nairobi Weather in May

Nairobi May Weather Calendar