Things to Do in Nairobi in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
March Weather in Nairobi
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
82°F (28°C)
High Temp
59°F (15°C)
Low Temp
2.9 inches (74 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Sudden afternoon storms can flood streets and snarl traffic across the city. Plan buffer time.
Is March Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + The long rains haven't quite arrived, so the dust that coats the city in the dry season is washed away, leaving the air smelling of wet earth and flowering jacaranda, not diesel fumes.
- + The landscape around Nairobi is at its greenest, which means the animals in Nairobi National Park are easier to spot against the lush grass and the Ngong Hills look like they've been dipped in emerald paint.
- + You're sandwiched between the peak tourist seasons, so the crowds at the Giraffe Centre and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust are still manageable, and you can often get a last-minute booking for a decent safari.
- + The temperatures are about as good as they get here - warm enough for a sundowner on a terrace in Karen. But cool enough at night to sleep without the air conditioner screaming all night.
Considerations
- − March in Nairobi is famously unpredictable. You can get a morning of brilliant sun that bakes the red soil, followed by a thunderstorm that turns the streets of Westlands into rivers within twenty minutes.
- − The humidity climbs noticeably from the bone-dry January and February, hovering around 70%. It's not tropical-coast heavy, but it's the kind of dampness that makes your shirt stick to your back by noon if you're walking.
- − While it's not peak, it's also not the deep-value season. Flight deals are fewer, and you'll find mid-range lodges in the city are booked up by conference-goers more often than in the true low seasons.
Best Activities in March
Top things to do during your visit
Nairobi in March is a city holding its breath. The air is thick, warm, and smells of damp earth from showers that drum on corrugated iron roofs. The long rains are still weeks away. Yet these quick bursts leave jacaranda and bougainvillea gleaming against the overcast sky. Locals know the drill: sun in the morning, clouds by noon. No festivals this month, just quiet prep for April's heavier downpours. Pack flexibility. Mornings are bright and good for outdoor plans before the sky might open. Humidity lingers, so a cafe veranda's shade feels like salvation. March gives you a slower Nairobi, its buzz softened by rain that freshens the city's green spaces. Carry a light jacket. Weather flips fast. Safety? Use common sense and local tips. Stay in busy areas, book executive airport transfers, watch your bag in crowds. After dark, Westlands and Karen keep their terraces, gardens, and clubs humming. No beaches here. The social life is on rooftops and in courtyards.
3 days Masai Mara on Private 4x4 Land Cruiser
adventureA safari inside Nairobi city limits. Nairobi National Park gives you zebra grazing while skyscrapers loom behind. Giraffes stand tall against office blocks. Rhinos snort in the morning air scented with wild sage.
No other capital lets you frame wildlife and towers in one shot.
Insider tip: come on a weekday morning, skip the weekend bump, and own the dusty tracks.
Nairobi Park Wildlife Safari
otherThree days in a private Land Cruiser from Nairobi to the Masai Mara. You will feel tires bite red earth and hear lions grunt at dusk. Days are for tracking wildlife. Nights are for stars above a secluded camp.
the drive across savanna is the adventure.
Insider tip: tell your guide your top wish, cats or birds, the moment you set off.
Masai Mara 3 Days Tour Safari Private 4WD Landcruiser
guided_experienceThree-day private Mara tour in a 4WD that balances guidance with space. You will taste wood-smoked breakfast in the bush and feel dewy grass at sunrise during a short walk near camp. The goal is watching, not list-ticking.
a private guide turns the Mara into a living classroom.
Insider tip: ask for a pop-up roof for 360° views, important when cheetahs crouch in long grass.
2-Day Private Tour in Masai Mara with Pick Up
private_tourTwo days, one private Mara blast for travelers short on time. You will meet elephants at a river crossing and wake to weaver birds above your tent. The schedule squeezes every possible hour on the golden plains.
it distills the Mara drama into a compact, intense escape.
Insider tip: pack a fleece. The plains chill fast after sunset and the campfire feels better for it.
Safe and Executive Airport transfer in Nairobi
transportAirport pickup that slides you from plane to city in cool comfort. You will swap recycled cabin air for Nairobi's humid hug, then watch roadside maize roasters through tinted windows. No haggling, no getting lost.
it hands you a calm first impression, priceless after a red-eye or night landing.
Insider tip: confirm driver name and meeting point before you board. Arrivals hall is chaos.
Masai Mara 3 Days Luxury Tented Safari
otherThree-day safari with luxury tents in the Masai Mara. You will drift off to hyena whoops and wake to coffee on your veranda, thick linen under bare feet. Dinners under acacias match the wild days.
raw bush by daylight, refined comfort by night.
Insider tip: pick a camp near a river or marsh. You will watch hippos and birds without leaving the deck.
Where to Stay in Nairobi in March
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for March travellers.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Nairobi Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Locals dub March the 'month of long shorts'. Warm days, cool nights. Copy them and fit in.
Nairobi traffic is bad. Rain makes it hell. If skies darken, double Google's estimate for flights or meetings.
March is prime for Karura Forest. Waterfalls roar, scents hang damp, and the club's clay courts stay playable, not cracked.
Skip the hotel buffet. Hunt mandazi and milky chai at unmarked kiosks where workers queue. Best start.
Avoid These Mistakes
Don't pack only for heat. That 59°F (15°C) low plus wind or rain feels colder than it sounds after dark.
Don't cram a tight afternoon schedule. A 3 PM Karen meeting and 5 PM Westlands dinner is a risky gamble in March.
Don't treat every park the same. Nairobi National Park works in March. But southern strips on dirt airstrips get tricky with early rains. Check access.
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