Things to Do in Nairobi in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Nairobi
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Fewer crowds at major attractions - May falls in the long rains season, which means tourist numbers drop significantly. You'll have Nairobi National Park, Giraffe Centre, and David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust largely to yourself. Weekday mornings especially feel empty compared to the July-August rush.
- Lush green landscapes for photography - The long rains transform Nairobi into a surprisingly verdant city. The parks are brilliantly green, jacaranda trees are finishing their purple bloom cycle, and wildlife photography benefits from animals gathering at predictable water sources. If you're shooting landscapes or wildlife, this is actually peak season.
- Lower accommodation rates - Hotels drop prices by 20-35% compared to high season. Mid-range properties in Westlands and Karen that normally run 12,000-15,000 KES per night drop to 8,000-11,000 KES. Book 2-3 weeks out and you'll find excellent deals, though honestly last-minute bookings work fine too given the lower demand.
- Comfortable temperatures for city exploration - That 14-24°C (58-76°F) range is genuinely pleasant for walking around. Mornings are cool enough that you'll want a light layer, afternoons warm up but rarely feel oppressive. It's infinitely better than the hot, dusty months of January-March when walking any distance becomes sweaty work.
Considerations
- Afternoon rain disrupts outdoor plans - Those 10 rainy days don't tell the full story. May sits in the long rains period, and while it doesn't rain constantly, afternoon downpours are likely 3-4 days per week. They typically hit between 2pm-5pm and last 30-90 minutes. Roads flood quickly in certain areas, and getting a taxi during heavy rain becomes frustratingly difficult.
- Muddy conditions at wildlife parks - Nairobi National Park and safari day trips to Amboseli or Lake Nakuru deal with muddy tracks. Some roads become impassable for 2WD vehicles. Game drives still happen, but expect slower going and potentially shortened routes. If you're doing a serious safari, the mud limits access to remote areas.
- Unpredictable day-to-day weather - You'll wake up to sunshine and blue skies, then watch clouds roll in by noon. Planning outdoor activities becomes a gamble. That hike at Karura Forest might be perfect or might involve sheltering under trees for an hour. The variability is the real challenge, not the rain itself.
Best Activities in May
Nairobi National Park morning game drives
May mornings at Nairobi National Park offer some of the year's best wildlife viewing. Animals concentrate around remaining water sources, making them easier to spot. The grass is lush but not overgrown yet, and morning hours between 6:30am-10am typically stay dry. You'll see rhinos, lions, giraffes, and zebras against that famous Nairobi skyline backdrop without the July-August crowds. The park gets muddy after rain, but main tracks stay accessible. UV index hits 8 by midday, so morning drives make sense anyway.
Nairobi museum and cultural center visits
May weather makes indoor cultural activities genuinely appealing. The Nairobi National Museum, Karen Blixen Museum, and Bomas of Kenya cultural center provide excellent rainy afternoon backup plans. The National Museum's natural history exhibits and contemporary art galleries easily fill 2-3 hours. Bomas of Kenya does traditional dance performances at 2:30pm and 3:30pm daily, which conveniently coincides with when afternoon rain often starts. These attractions are never crowded in May, so you'll actually have space to enjoy exhibits properly.
Giraffe Centre and elephant orphanage visits
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage does public viewing 11am-12pm daily, while the Giraffe Centre operates 9am-5pm. Both work perfectly in May because they're partially covered, quick visits that fit between rain showers. The baby elephants are incredibly active during the 11am feeding, and you can hand-feed Rothschild giraffes at the Centre regardless of weather. These are genuinely special experiences, not tourist traps, and May's lower crowds mean better photo opportunities and more time with the animals.
Karura Forest walking and cycling
Karura Forest's 50 km network of trails becomes beautifully lush in May. The forest stays cool and pleasant even when the city heats up, and the waterfalls actually flow with volume during the rains. Morning walks between 7am-10am usually stay dry, and the forest canopy provides some rain protection anyway. Cycling the main trails works well since they're well-maintained murram that drains reasonably. You'll see Colobus monkeys, tons of bird species, and possibly bushbuck. Weekday mornings you'll have the place nearly to yourself.
Nairobi restaurant and food market exploration
May is actually perfect for exploring Nairobi's food scene since you'll want indoor activities anyway. The city's restaurant scene has exploded recently, with everything from nyama choma joints to contemporary fusion spots. Westlands, Kilimani, and Karen neighborhoods have the highest concentration. Weekday lunches offer business lunch specials at 800-1,200 KES. City Market downtown stays lively regardless of weather and gives you a genuine local experience, though it's chaotic and requires some street smarts.
Day trips to Kiambethu Tea Farm
The tea farms in Limuru, about 30 km northwest of Nairobi, are spectacularly green during May rains. Kiambethu Tea Farm does guided tours including tea picking, factory tour, and lunch in a colonial farmhouse. The cool, misty weather is exactly what tea plants love, and honestly what makes the experience atmospheric. Tours run 10am-2pm, fitting nicely into the morning dry window. You'll learn the full tea production process and get genuinely excellent food. This is one of those experiences that's better in the rain.
May Events & Festivals
Madaraka Day celebrations
June 1st is Madaraka Day, Kenya's self-governance commemoration, but celebrations and preparations ramp up in late May. You'll see increased patriotic displays, flags throughout the city, and cultural events in the final week of May. Uhuru Park and Central Park host music and cultural performances on weekends leading up to the holiday. It's worth experiencing if you're around late May, giving you insight into Kenyan national identity and pride.