Nanyuki weather in short
Nanyuki lies at about 1,947 m on the equator, so the days are mild and the nights are cool. The year has two rainy seasons. The long rains fall from March to May, and the short rains from October to December. The months between them are drier, and that is when most visitors come.
Rain also varies from place to place. In the short rains of 2025, the Nanyuki weather station recorded 231.8 mm, and the Ol Pejeta Kamok station recorded 485.7 mm. These are totals for one season in one year, but they show that the conservancy can be much wetter than the town. If you plan an early start, see the Ol Pejeta day trips and check the forecast the day before.
Best time to visit Ol Pejeta
The answer depends on what you want from the trip.
| Goal | Months | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Wildlife viewing on dry tracks | June to October | Dry phases make animals easier to find, and this is the conservancy's high season |
| A second dry window | January to February | The other high season, with low rainfall in nearby Nyeri |
| Camping with fewer road problems | Outside April, May, September and October | 4WD is needed to reach the campsites in those rains |
| Wetter trips | March to May, October to December | Rains are heavier, and roads and tracks can be muddy |
For most visitors, June to October, or January to February, is the better choice. No month guarantees dry weather or any particular sighting.
Our pick: a day safari for the dry months
The June to October and January to February dry phases are when this full-day safari fits best, and the park entry fees are already in the price.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Ol Pejeta tours and safaris by season
Game drives, rhino and chimpanzee visits and day trips, with live prices and availability.
Monthly climate reference: Nyeri, not Nanyuki
Long-term averages from a nearby town, for orientation only.
Nyeri lies at 1,768 m, lower than Nanyuki, and its values will differ from Nanyuki and from the conservancy. Temperatures are averages for 1980 to 2018, and rainfall is the average monthly total for 1988 to 2018. Use the table to see the shape of the year, not exact numbers for your hotel.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25.9 °C | 10.3 °C | 47.6 mm |
| February | 27.2 °C | 10.4 °C | 38.8 mm |
| March | 26.8 °C | 12.2 °C | 71.0 mm |
| April | 24.7 °C | 14.3 °C | 187.2 mm |
| May | 22.9 °C | 14.2 °C | 182.9 mm |
| June | 21.6 °C | 13.0 °C | 30.0 mm |
| July | 20.4 °C | 12.0 °C | 29.9 mm |
| August | 20.7 °C | 12.0 °C | 33.9 mm |
| September | 23.5 °C | 12.4 °C | 22.6 mm |
| October | 24.7 °C | 13.3 °C | 111.0 mm |
| November | 23.6 °C | 13.0 °C | 126.9 mm |
| December | 24.3 °C | 11.4 °C | 82.1 mm |
The table shows April and May as the wettest months and June to September as the driest. Pack layers for the cool mornings and evenings, and rain gear in the wet months.
Planning around the rain
What changes on the ground.
Campsite access
In the rains of April and May and of September and October, you need 4WD to reach the campsites. Details are in the hotels and camps guide.
October to December 2026
A stronger rainy season is expected in Kenya in these months because of El Niño, with possible floods and landslides. This is a forecast for the country and not specific to Ol Pejeta. Check road conditions with your driver or lodge.
Driving hours
The gates are open from 07:00 to 19:00, and private driving after 19:00 is not allowed. In the rains, build in extra time for the drive from Nairobi, which normally takes 4 to 4.5 hours. See getting there.
Mount Kenya has its own mountain weather, covered at Mount Kenya weather.
Nanyuki weather: frequently asked questions
When is the rainy season in Nanyuki?
The long rains fall from March to May and the short rains from October to December. April and May are the wettest months in the Nyeri reference table.
What is the best time for Ol Pejeta?
For most visitors, June to October or January to February. Dry phases make wildlife easier to find, though no month guarantees sightings.
Is it cold in Nanyuki?
Days are mild, and nights are cool. Nyeri, the nearby reference town, averages lows of 10 to 14 °C. Nanyuki sits higher, so bring layers.
Do the Nyeri figures apply to Nanyuki?
No. They show the shape of the year in a nearby town at a different height. Rain can differ a lot between places, as the 2025 totals for Nanyuki and Ol Pejeta Kamok show.
Is this the official weather or Ol Pejeta website?
No. This is an independent guide. It is not run by, or connected to, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the Kenya Meteorological Department or any operator.