Nairobi in March: a seasonal travel plan
Nairobi, Kenya. In march, the average daytime high is 29.8 °C and the night-time low is 15.9 °C. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
Choose a month
Selected month: March
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Nairobi
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 29.8 °C
- Nighttime low
- 15.9 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 54.7 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 10.1
- Daylight
- 12.1 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | 29.9 | 15.7 | 3.1 |
| Days 11–20 | 30.2 | 15.8 | 2.6 |
| From day 21 | 29.3 | 16.2 | 4.4 |
What this month is like
Nairobi, Kenya. In march, the average daytime high is 29.8 °C and the night-time low is 15.9 °C. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
There are 10.1 wet days on average, with about 54.7 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
How to plan the day
Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
Average daylight is 12.1 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack light clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for the evening. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What to pack
Light breathable clothes, a hat, sunglasses and a water bottle will be useful. The day-to-night temperature difference is noticeable, so dressing in layers is practical. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 29.7 °C, March — 29.8 °C, next month — 27.5 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 4.9, 10.1 and 18.7.
Things to do
Nairobi sits on a plateau at about 1,700 metres, and a national park with lions and giraffes begins at its southern edge. The city is businesslike and spread out, with offices, embassies and green suburbs far apart, so plan each day around one zone.
National Park
The reserve starts at the city boundary, and a morning drive may bring rhinos, giraffes and lions against a skyline of towers. Leave at gate opening with a driver who knows the dirt tracks, since the routes are unsigned.
Elephants at Sheldrick
The David Sheldrick trust raises orphaned elephant calves and shows them to visitors at set hours. Arrive before the session begins, listen to the keepers and stand at the rope when the young animals come to drink.
National Museum
The Nairobi National Museum explains the country from early finds to the present, and a snake park stands beside it. Afterwards walk through the centre to the Maasai Market for beadwork, cloth and carvings.
Where to stay
Westlands
Westlands keeps hotels, restaurants and nightlife within a few blocks, which makes evenings easy. Traffic towards the park and the airport eats time, so leave early and keep mornings free for the drive.
Karen
Karen and Langata are green and spacious: gardens, embassy villas and large houses behind walls. The centre is a slow drive through traffic, but the reserve, elephant orphanage and giraffe centre are close.
Kilimani
Kilimani suits anyone who wants mid-range prices and cafes within walking distance, and young professionals settle here. The museum and centre are ten minutes by car, though the streets are not made for long walks.
Getting to and around Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta airport lies about twenty kilometres south-east of the centre, and the expressway shortens the run to hotels in Westlands. Domestic flights for safari lodges leave from Wilson Airport nearer the city. Matatus and ride-hailing cars cover the rest, and because distances are long, build traffic into every morning.
Three days in Nairobi
Centre and museum
Spend the morning at the National Museum, then walk through the business district. In the afternoon look at the Maasai Market and return to your hotel before the evening traffic.
Park and elephants
Drive into the national park at gate opening and stay through the morning with a driver who knows the tracks. After lunch head to the elephant orphanage, then have dinner in Westlands.
Karen and the forest
Visit the giraffe centre and the Karen Blixen Museum, then walk in Karura Forest among eucalyptus and streams. Drive back through Kilimani, stop for coffee and have an unhurried dinner.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28.2 | 14.8 | 34.3 | 7.1 | 12.2 |
| February | 29.7 | 15.2 | 25.3 | 4.9 | 12.2 |
| March | 29.8 | 15.9 | 54.7 | 10.1 | 12.1 |
| April | 27.5 | 15.9 | 110.2 | 18.7 | 12.1 |
| May | 26.3 | 14.4 | 53.6 | 12.1 | 12.1 |
| June | 26.1 | 13.6 | 23.5 | 6.1 | 12.0 |
| July | 26.3 | 13.0 | 14.5 | 3.6 | 12.1 |
| August | 27.4 | 13.3 | 12.2 | 3.4 | 12.1 |
| September | 28.9 | 14.1 | 15.4 | 3.0 | 12.1 |
| October | 29.5 | 14.9 | 40.1 | 9.7 | 12.1 |
| November | 27.2 | 15.7 | 81.8 | 20.1 | 12.2 |
| December | 26.9 | 15.2 | 54.3 | 14.0 | 12.2 |
Frequently asked questions
Nairobi: what is the temperature in March?
The average daytime high is 29.8 °C and the night-time low is 15.9 °C. Start a long walking route in the morning. Plan lunch and shaded breaks for the middle of the day.
How many days with precipitation are there in March?
On average, there are 10.1 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 54.7 mm. There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What should I pack for walks in March?
Light breathable clothes, a hat, sunglasses and a water bottle will be useful. The day-to-night temperature difference is noticeable, so dressing in layers is practical. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — 29.9 °C; 11–20 — 30.2 °C; 21 to month-end — 29.3 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in March?
The average is 12.1 hours. Spread walks between the morning and afternoon, then leave the evening for dinner or indoor activities.
Is Nairobi worth visiting in March?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around 29.8 °C and nights around 15.9 °C work for you. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
What can I do in Nairobi on a wet day in March?
Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Nairobi in March?
Pack light clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for the evening. Average daylight is 12.1 hours.