Things to Do in Nairobi in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Nairobi
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- March sits in the green season shoulder - parks are emerald, migratory birds are still in Nairobi National Park, and hotel rates drop 25-30 % before the Easter rush
- Temperatures hover around 75°F (24°C) mid-day, so you can walk the Karura Forest canopy trail without melting or freezing
- Fresh produce markets burst with mangoes, passion fruit, and tiny tree tomatoes; street stalls grill maize over charcoal that smells like campfires
- Traffic eases: schools are in session, so the morning jam on Uhuru Highway shortens by 15 minutes - small win, but locals notice
Considerations
- Short, intense afternoon storms hit at 3-4 pm like clockwork; one burst can dump half an inch in 20 minutes and turn Ngong Road into a river of red mud
- Dust from the dry season lingers, coating phone screens and sunglasses the moment you step outside - carry lens wipes
- Some tented camps in the Mara have packed up for the long rains, so last-minute safari add-ons get trickier
Best Activities in March
Nairobi National Park dawn game drives
March grass is short from the light rains, making lions easier to spot against the green; migratory birds like the European roller are still around, flashing turquoise on the acacias. Mornings stay cool at 65°F (18°C) until 9 am, so you can keep the roof hatch open without roasting. The backdrop of the city skyline behind a rhino feels surreal and is Instagram gold.
Karen Blixen Museum and Ngong Hills trekking combo
March skies are often clear by 10 am, perfect for the 45-minute hike up the first Ngong ridge. The trail starts 2 km (1.2 miles) past the museum, so you can pair colonial history with 360-degree views over the Great Rift Valley. Wind picks up by midday - bring a light jacket for the summit but expect to shed it once you descend.
Westlands rooftop salsa nights
Humidity drops after sunset, so outdoor dance floors finally feel breathable. March is when expats shake off the dry-season lull - expect live bands on Thursdays and serious Cuban dancers who’ll spin you without spilling your Tusker. Most roofs close for Easter holidays, so March is the last reliable month.
Kibera photography walks
Morning light is soft and angled in March, perfect for portraits without harsh shadows. Local guides know which alleyways turn into muddy slides after rain and which stay dry. You’ll smell chapati frying and hear Benga music drifting from tin-roof studios - sensory overload in the best way.
Karura Forest waterfall cycling
The 15 km (9.3 miles) trail network stays firm after light rain, and the 20 m (66 ft) waterfall swells to a roar you can hear 5 minutes before you see it. March is cicada season - the sound tunnels through the bamboo like a living soundtrack. Bike rental shacks close by 5 pm, so start no later than 2 pm.
March Events & Festivals
East African Safari Classic Rally finish line
Vintage Porsches and Datsuns slide through red dust to the finish at the Ngong Racecourse. Mechanics with grease-stained hands cheer louder than drivers; the smell of racing fuel mixes with nyama choma from roadside grills. Public viewing is free along the last 5 km (3.1 miles) stretch.
Nairobi Restaurant Week extension
Usually a February thing, but in 2026 it spills into the first two weeks of March. Set menus at stalwarts like Carnivore and Tamarind drop to fixed prices, and downtown spots you’d normally skip suddenly have tables. Locals use it to try the new rooftop bars they’ve been eyeing.