The short answer
- Month
- May
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Safari weather
- Long rains ease late in the month
- Great Migration
- In Tanzania, heading west and north
- Masai Mara fee
- US$100 a day
- Coast
- Wettest month
May is still part of the long rains inland and the wettest month on the coast. Late May can bring the first dry spells.
Kenya in May at a glance
The map opens on May; tap another month to compare.
Choose your month
May
Still wet inland and the wettest month on the coast. Quiet and green.
- Samburu and Laikipia (mixed)Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lewa
- Amboseli and Tsavo (mixed)elephants below Kilimanjaro
- Rift Valley lakes (wet or difficult)Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha
- Masai Mara (wet or difficult)plus the Great Migration, July to October
- Coast (wet or difficult)Diani, Watamu, Lamu
Where is the Great Migration in May?
Choose your month
Highlighted months: herds usually in Kenya.
May
- Masai Mara
- Not in Kenya
- River crossings
- None
The rut begins and long columns head west and north.
Where the herds are: Central Serengeti and Western Corridor
May across the year
How May compares with the rest of the year in each region. The ringed column is May.
Swipe sideways to see all 12 months →
| Region | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masai Maraplus the Great Migration | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Best |
| Rift Valley lakesNakuru, Naivasha | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Best |
| Amboseli and Tsavosouth | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed |
| Samburu and Laikipianorth | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Mixed |
| CoastDiani, Watamu | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Best |
Where to go in May
- Lake Nakuru and Naivasha: Short distances and good wildlife in any weather.
- Masai Mara: Green, quiet and at the lower fee.
What to avoid in May
- A beach stay: the coast is at its wettest.
Events and holidays in May
- Labour Day (1 May): A public holiday.
Weather in May
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with May highlighted.
Average daily high / low and monthly rainfall
| Month | Nairobiabout 1,700 m | Masai Maraabout 1,600 m | Amboselidry, below Kilimanjaro | MombasaDiani is similar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25° / 12°55 mm | 28° / 13°85 mm | 30° / 15°50 mm | 32° / 24°35 mm |
| Feb | 26° / 12°40 mm | 28° / 13°90 mm | 31° / 15°45 mm | 33° / 24°15 mm |
| Mar | 26° / 13°80 mm | 28° / 14°120 mm | 30° / 16°80 mm | 33° / 25°55 mm |
| Apr | 24° / 14°170 mm | 26° / 14°195 mm | 28° / 17°140 mm | 31° / 24°155 mm |
| May | 23° / 13°150 mm | 25° / 13°120 mm | 27° / 15°45 mm | 29° / 23°240 mm |
| Jun | 22° / 12°40 mm | 25° / 11°40 mm | 26° / 13°5 mm | 28° / 22°90 mm |
| Jul | 21° / 11°15 mm | 24° / 10°30 mm | 25° / 12°5 mm | 28° / 21°70 mm |
| Aug | 22° / 11°25 mm | 25° / 11°45 mm | 26° / 12°5 mm | 28° / 21°65 mm |
| Sep | 24° / 11°25 mm | 27° / 11°45 mm | 28° / 13°5 mm | 29° / 21°65 mm |
| Oct | 25° / 13°50 mm | 28° / 12°60 mm | 30° / 14°30 mm | 30° / 22°90 mm |
| Nov | 23° / 13°125 mm | 27° / 13°115 mm | 29° / 16°110 mm | 31° / 23°95 mm |
| Dec | 23° / 13°90 mm | 27° / 13°100 mm | 29° / 15°80 mm | 32° / 24°70 mm |
Rounded long term averages. Blue shading marks the wetter months. Individual years can be hotter, colder or wetter.
A 5 day trip for May
Our suggestion for May: Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara. Every trip can be made private, or try your own route in our Kenya trip planner.
Tip: Look for green season offers at Mara camps from late May.
Want a May safari made for you?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 5 days, built around your dates.
Other months
Thinking about April or June? See Kenya in April and Kenya in June, or compare every season in our guide to the best time to visit Kenya.
Rather have a trip to Kenya made just for you?
Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
Is May a good time for a Kenya safari?
It is mixed: rainy but quiet and good value, improving at the end of the month.
Sources we checked
Kenya month by month
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