Part of Africa
Quick answer
Reviewed · 3 min read
May is the smart shoulder month. Southern Africa’s dry season begins, so Kruger, the Sabi Sand, Namibia and Hwange offer clear days, thinning bush and pre-peak rates. In Tanzania, the long rains ease and the Serengeti herds move into the central and western areas for the wildebeest rut. Expect cold early mornings in the south and some East African camps reopening late in the month.
Researched and maintained by Empyrean Travel · How we research
- Top pick
- Kruger & Sabi Sand, South Africa (dry season begins)
- Also great
- Namibia; Hwange; the Serengeti’s central and western areas
- Weather pattern
- Southern Africa: dry, sunny, cool mornings. East Africa: long rains easing
- Wildlife highlight
- The Serengeti wildebeest rut; game starts gathering at water down south
- Crowds & rates
- Shoulder rates almost everywhere; peak pricing starts in June or July
Where to go on safari in May
Kruger & Sabi Sand
South Africa · dry season begins
Thinning bush, leopards and lions, crisp mornings and pre-peak rates.
ExploreEtosha
Namibia
Waterholes come alive as the bush dries, with elephants, rhinos and lions.
ExploreSossusvlei
Namibia
Comfortable temperatures for dune climbs and Deadvlei photography.
ExploreHwange
Zimbabwe
Elephant herds start gathering at waterholes as the dry season begins.
ExploreSerengeti
Tanzania · wildebeest rut
Herds massing in the central and western areas, with quiet roads and low rates.
ExploreMadikwe
South Africa · malaria-free
Big Five viewing in mild early-winter weather.
Explore
Where is the best safari in May?
Southern Africa. By May the rains have usually stopped, grass begins to dry and animals start returning to permanent water. In Kruger and the Sabi Sand, visibility improves week by week, days are warm and mornings crisp, and mosquito numbers fall as the dry season sets in.
Namibia is excellent too: Sossusvlei’s dunes are more comfortable than in summer, and Etosha’s waterholes begin drawing wildlife as the bush dries. In Zimbabwe, the pumped waterholes of Hwange become focal points, and Zambia’s South Luangwa camps start reopening for the dry season.
What’s happening in East Africa in May?
The long rains usually ease through May. In the Serengeti, the herds are on the move from the south toward the central and western areas, and the wildebeest rut brings bellowing, battling males. The grass is tall and green, and the parks are quiet.
Lodges that stay open, and camps reopening in late May or June, offer some of the year’s lowest rates. It suits travelers who value solitude over guaranteed dry weather; our Great Migration guide maps the herd movements.
What should you avoid in May?
A little planning sidesteps May’s few pitfalls.
- Southern Tanzania early in the month: many camps in Ruaha and Nyerere reopen only around June.
- Expecting the full Okavango flood: water is arriving in the delta but usually doesn’t peak until about June to August.
- Underpacking: dawn drives in Southern Africa can be close to freezing; bring a warm jacket, hat and gloves.
- Zanzibar early in May: the long rains often continue into the month.
Which beach pairs with a May safari?
Mauritius is in one of its best windows, with warm, settled weather from about April to June before the cooler, breezier winter. The Seychelles stay in their calm transition period until the southeast trade winds pick up, often from late May or June. Both work beautifully after a Southern African safari.
How far ahead should you book a May safari?
Four to eight months is usually enough for May, and some camps offer shoulder-season incentives. Memorial Day week is busier for US travelers. If your dates slide into June, the start of peak season, book earlier, as rates and demand rise sharply.
Frequently asked questions
Is May a good month for a safari?
Where is the Great Migration in May?
How cold does it get on safari in May?
Is there malaria risk on safari in May?
Official sources
Rules, fees and schedules change — confirm the latest details at the source before you travel.