At one and a half degrees south of the equator Nairobi basks in all the sun of a tropical city. However, its altitude of 5,000 to 6,000 feet means that the climate is temperate. Rainfall is theoretically divided between two rainy seansons: the short rains fall in November and early December, and the long rains between April and mid-June. Because it is virtually on the equator Nairobi has a constant twelve hours of daylight per day all year round. The sun rises at 6.30 - 7.00 a.m and sets again at 6.30 - 7.00 p.m.

The average day-time temperature varies only slightly throughout the year, from 85°F (29°C) in the dry season and 75°F (24°C) during the rest of the year. At night, however, the thermometer sometimes drops as low as 48°F (9°C), though rarely lower.