Month guide · Nairobi · Kenya
Nairobi in September
What September is really like in Nairobi: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Samwalton9, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
September is one of the best months to visit Nairobi. Expect average highs of 24°C (75°F), lows of 11°C (52°F), about 3 rainy days and roughly 12.1 hours of daylight. Warmer, dry and sunny; still excellent for safaris with slightly fewer visitors than August.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 24°C (75°F) / 11°C (52°F)
- Rainy days
- About 3
- Daylight
- About 12.1 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in September
September is the 6th-warmest month in Nairobi: days average 24°C (75°F) against a yearly average high of 24°C (75°F), and nights fall to about 11°C (52°F). Rain falls on roughly 3 of its 30 days. Compared with August (21°C (70°F)), September is warmer; by October highs stay near 25°C (77°F).
- Sunrise (15 September)
- About 06:25
- Sunset (15 September)
- About 18:31
- Daylight
- About 12.1 hours
Cool dry season (June–October). Cool, often overcast mornings and dry sunny afternoons; peak safari season with the migration in the Maasai Mara and the highest prices.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, September rates 4 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: September is one of the pricier months.
Events in September
- Nairobi International Trade Fair at Jamhuri Park (usually late September or early October)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in September
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Experience · Karen
Kazuri Beads workshop
Visit on a weekday to see the workshop in full production, then continue to the Karen Blixen Museum nearby.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Central Business District
Nairobi Railway Museum
Next to the old railway station, the museum tells the story of the Uganda Railway around which Nairobi grew from 1899.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
Gallery · Central Business District
Nairobi Gallery
Combine it with the KICC rooftop and the City Market, all within a short walk in daylight.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
Market · Central Business District
City Market
A 1930s covered market off Muindi Mbingu Street, with fruit, vegetable and flower stalls in the main hall and curio dealers selling carvings, soapstone and baskets around the edges.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
What to pack
For highs near 24°C, lows near 11°C and 3 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is September 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 January–February and June–August. Compare every month.
Nairobi in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is September a good time to visit Nairobi?
It is one of the best months to visit Nairobi. Warmer, dry and sunny; still excellent for safaris with slightly fewer visitors than August.
+How warm is Nairobi in September?
Average highs are around 24°C (75°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Nairobi in September?
Expect rain on about 3 days of the month, so it is usually dry.