The average annual rainfall is 660 mm and varies greatly in distribution and amount from year to year. Drought years with low erratic rainfall, are frequently experienced. About 90 % of the rain falls between December and April, and there is usually a dry spell in February.
The average minimum temperature is 15.5°C, the coolest month being August (13.8°C). The average maximum temperature is 27.5°C, the warmest month being November (30.2°C).
The soils are sandy loams on the slopes and clay loams along the valley bottoms. Soils are low in nitrogen and phosphorus, but adequate in potassium. The pH in the top soil range between 5.6 and 7.7, while that of the subsoil lies between 5.3 and 8.6.
The natural vegetation consists of deciduous thicket of Acacia, Cassia, Grewia, Commiphora and Lannea. At altitudes above 1,200m there is fairly open Brachystegia woodland, with interspersed grass.