Month guide · Nairobi · Kenya
Nairobi in January
What January is really like in Nairobi: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
January is one of the best months to visit Nairobi. Expect average highs of 25°C (77°F), lows of 12°C (54°F), about 5 rainy days and roughly 12.2 hours of daylight. Warm, dry and sunny after the short rains; a popular safari month with green landscapes and newborn animals in the parks.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 25°C (77°F) / 12°C (54°F)
- Rainy days
- About 5
- Daylight
- About 12.2 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in January
January is the 3rd-warmest month in Nairobi: days average 25°C (77°F) against a yearly average high of 24°C (75°F), and nights fall to about 12°C (54°F). Rain falls on roughly 5 of its 31 days. Compared with December (23°C (73°F)), January is warmer; by February highs stay near 26°C (79°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 06:36
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 18:47
- Daylight
- About 12.2 hours
Short rains (November–December). Showers in the afternoons and evenings with clear mornings; quieter and cheaper until the Christmas holiday rush.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 4 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: January is one of the pricier months.
Events in January
- New Year holiday traffic eases by mid-month
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Nature · Langata
Nairobi National Park
Enter as the gates open in the early morning, when predators are most active and traffic on Langata Road is lighter; KWS gates are cashless, so carry a card.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Museum · Karen
Karen Blixen Museum
The Danish author of Out of Africa lived in this farmhouse below the Ngong Hills from 1917 to 1931 while running a coffee farm.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Couples
- Outdoors
Zoo · Langata
Nairobi Safari Walk
Pair it with a game drive from the main gate, which is right next to the boardwalk entrance.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Park · Gigiri
Karura Forest
About 1,000 hectares of indigenous and planted forest in the north of the city, saved from land grabbing in the late 1990s by a campaign led by Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Active
- Kids
What to pack
For highs near 25°C, lows near 12°C and 5 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Nairobi?
One of the best months to visit Nairobi, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are February and June–September. Compare every month.
Nairobi in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Nairobi?
It is one of the best months to visit Nairobi. Warm, dry and sunny after the short rains; a popular safari month with green landscapes and newborn animals in the parks.
+How warm is Nairobi in January?
Average highs are around 25°C (77°F) and lows around 12°C (54°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Nairobi in January?
Expect rain on about 5 days of the month.