Things to Do in Nairobi in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Nairobi
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Short rains season means lush green landscapes and crystal-clear air - Nairobi National Park looks spectacular after morning showers, and you'll actually see Mount Kenya from the city center on clear days, something that's nearly impossible during the dusty dry months
- Wildlife viewing hits peak performance as December marks the beginning of calving season in the Maasai Mara (2.5 hours from Nairobi). Predators are more active, and the grass is short enough that you can actually spot animals without straining
- Festive atmosphere without overwhelming tourist crowds - Nairobi's expat and local communities create a genuinely celebratory vibe with Christmas markets at Village Market and Karura Forest, but you're not competing with peak safari season crowds that hit in July-August
- Comfortable temperatures for city exploration - those 26°C (78°F) afternoons are perfect for walking through neighborhoods like Karen or Westlands without the oppressive heat you'd get in January-March. Mornings at 14°C (58°F) are ideal for early game drives when animals are most active
Considerations
- Afternoon rain showers are genuinely unpredictable - they typically roll in between 2pm-5pm and last 20-40 minutes, but some days you'll get nothing and others you'll get drenched three times. This makes planning outdoor activities a bit of a gamble, and Nairobi's drainage isn't great, so expect flooded streets in areas like Ngong Road
- December 20-January 2 sees significant price increases (30-50 percent higher) for accommodations and safari lodges as both international tourists and Kenyan diaspora return home for holidays. If your dates fall in this window, you're paying peak rates for everything
- Some restaurants and smaller businesses close December 24-26, and the city genuinely empties out as locals head to their rural homes. If you're here over Christmas itself, you might find your neighborhood spots shuttered and need to stick to hotel restaurants or major shopping centers
Best Activities in December
Nairobi National Park morning game drives
December is actually one of the best months for the park because the grass is shorter after the rains, making wildlife easier to spot, and morning temperatures around 14°C (58°F) mean animals are active early. You've got a legitimate chance of seeing lions, rhinos, and giraffes against the Nairobi skyline backdrop - something that still feels surreal no matter how many times you do it. The park is only 7 km (4.3 miles) from the city center, so you can do a 6am-10am drive and still have your full afternoon. Go early though - by 11am it gets warm and animals retreat to shade.
Karura Forest walking and cycling trails
This 1,063-hectare urban forest is spectacular in December when everything is green and the waterfalls are actually flowing. The 50 km (31 miles) of trails range from easy walks to proper mountain biking routes, and the canopy is thick enough that you'll stay dry even during those afternoon showers. Locals use this as their weekend escape, so you'll see Nairobi families picnicking and couples on dates - it's a genuine slice of how people actually live here, not a tourist attraction. The caves and waterfalls make for decent photo opportunities without the crowds you'd get at more famous spots.
Giraffe Centre and elephant orphanage visits
December timing works well because the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage does its public feeding at 11am daily, which lets you do an early Nairobi National Park drive and still make it to the elephants. The baby elephants are genuinely charming, and the keepers actually explain the individual rescue stories. Giraffe Centre is 20 km (12.4 miles) from downtown in Karen, and feeding Rothschild giraffes from an elevated platform never gets old. These are both conservation projects doing legitimate work, not tourist traps, though they are popular so expect other visitors.
Nairobi food market tours and nyama choma experiences
December is festival season, so City Market and Maasai Market have expanded offerings with holiday crafts and seasonal foods. More importantly, the nyama choma (grilled meat) scene is in full swing as Kenyans celebrate. The experience of choosing your meat, having it grilled over open flame, and eating with ugali while locals debate football is about as authentic as it gets. Carnivore Restaurant is the famous tourist spot, but locals will tell you to hit neighborhood joints in Kilimani or Westlands instead. December evenings are perfect for outdoor eating - warm enough but not hot, and the afternoon rains have usually cleared by dinner time.
Day trips to Great Rift Valley viewpoints and Lake Naivasha
The drive down the escarpment to the Rift Valley floor is genuinely stunning in December when visibility is excellent after the rains. Lake Naivasha is 90 km (56 miles) from Nairobi, about 2 hours, and you can do boat rides to see hippos and hundreds of bird species, then visit Crescent Island for walking among zebras and wildebeest without fences. The lake levels are good in December, and the weather is perfect for being on the water. Hell's Gate National Park is nearby if you want to cycle or walk among wildlife - one of the few parks where you can do this safely.
Nairobi cultural center and museum visits
Perfect backup plan for those rainy afternoons, and December actually sees special exhibitions at the Nairobi National Museum. The museum covers Kenyan history, tribal cultures, and natural history - it's worth 2-3 hours and gives context for everything else you'll see in Kenya. Bomas of Kenya does traditional dance performances that are admittedly touristy but genuinely well-done, showing dances from Kenya's 40-plus ethnic groups. The Karen Blixen Museum (Out of Africa house) is interesting if you've read the book, though it's very much a colonial-era perspective.
December Events & Festivals
Nairobi Christmas markets and festive fairs
Village Market and Karura Forest host legitimate Christmas markets in December with local artisans, food vendors, and live music. These aren't huge European-style Christmas markets, but they're genuine community events where you can buy Kenyan crafts, try local foods, and see how Nairobi's expat and local communities celebrate together. The atmosphere is festive without being overwhelming, and it's a good way to pick up gifts or souvenirs that aren't mass-produced tourist stuff.
New Year's Eve celebrations across the city
Nairobi goes big for New Year's Eve with events ranging from upscale hotel parties to massive outdoor concerts. Uhuru Gardens and Carnivore grounds typically host major concerts with Kenyan musicians. The rooftop bar scene in Westlands and Kilimani is popular with locals and expats. Worth noting that December 31 accommodation prices spike significantly, and you'll want to book transport home before midnight as taxis become scarce and expensive after 11pm.