The short answer
- Month
- May
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Safari weather
- Rains easing late
- Great Migration
- Central and western Serengeti, the rut
- Kilimanjaro
- Poor early, better late
- Zanzibar
- Wet
May is the tail of the long rains. It's still wet, especially on Zanzibar, but by late May the northern parks dry out and the herds start their long walk west, with the wildebeest rut in full swing.
Tanzania in May at a glance
The map opens on May; tap another month to compare.
Choose your month
May
Still wet, especially on the coast. Green and empty, with low season fees in the Serengeti until mid month.
- Serengeti (mixed)plus the Great Migration all year
- Ngorongoro and Tarangire (mixed)the rest of the northern circuit
- Kilimanjaro (wet or difficult)climbing conditions
- Zanzibar (wet or difficult)beaches and Stone Town
- Southern parks (wet or difficult)Nyerere and Ruaha
Where is the Great Migration in May?
Choose your month
Highlighted months: herds mostly in Tanzania.
May
- Base in the Serengeti
- Seronera or Western Corridor
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serengetiplus the Great Migration | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Best |
| Ngorongoro and Tarangirenorthern circuit | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Best |
| Kilimanjaroclimbing | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed |
| Zanzibarbeaches | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Best |
| Southern parksNyerere, Ruaha | Mixed | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed |
Where to go in May
- Central and western Serengeti: Long columns of wildebeest heading west.
- Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire: Green and quiet.
What to avoid in May
- Zanzibar early in the month.
- The southern parks, many of which stay closed.
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 | Arushaabout 1,400 m, Moshi is warmer | SerengetiSeronera, about 1,500 m | Ngorongoro rimabout 2,300 m, cold at night | ZanzibarStone Town |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28° / 13°60 mm | 28° / 15°90 mm | 21° / 9°80 mm | 32° / 24°70 mm |
| Feb | 28° / 13°75 mm | 28° / 15°90 mm | 21° / 9°85 mm | 32° / 24°60 mm |
| Mar | 27° / 14°145 mm | 28° / 15°140 mm | 20° / 10°140 mm | 32° / 24°150 mm |
| Apr | 25° / 15°320 mm | 27° / 15°170 mm | 19° / 10°210 mm | 30° / 24°350 mm |
| May | 23° / 14°170 mm | 26° / 14°90 mm | 18° / 9°110 mm | 29° / 23°250 mm |
| Jun | 22° / 12°25 mm | 26° / 13°20 mm | 17° / 7°25 mm | 28° / 22°55 mm |
| Jul | 21° / 11°10 mm | 26° / 12°10 mm | 16° / 6°15 mm | 28° / 21°45 mm |
| Aug | 22° / 11°10 mm | 27° / 13°15 mm | 17° / 6°15 mm | 28° / 21°40 mm |
| Sep | 24° / 11°15 mm | 28° / 13°25 mm | 19° / 7°20 mm | 29° / 21°50 mm |
| Oct | 26° / 12°30 mm | 29° / 14°45 mm | 20° / 8°45 mm | 30° / 22°90 mm |
| Nov | 26° / 13°110 mm | 28° / 15°110 mm | 20° / 9°110 mm | 31° / 23°200 mm |
| Dec | 27° / 13°90 mm | 27° / 15°110 mm | 20° / 9°100 mm | 32° / 24°140 mm |
Rounded long term averages. Blue shading marks the wetter months. Individual years can be hotter, colder or wetter.
A 6 day trip for May
Our suggestion for May: Tarangire, the central Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. Every trip can be made private, or try your own route in our Tanzania trip planner.
Tip: Late May is a good value window before peak prices begin in June.
Want a May trip made for you?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 6 days, built around your dates.
Other months
Thinking about April or June? See Tanzania in April and Tanzania in June, or compare every season in our guide to the best time to visit Tanzania.
Rather have a trip to Tanzania 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 month for a Tanzania safari?
Late May can be good value, with the rains easing and the herds moving west. Early May is still very wet.
Sources we checked
Tanzania month by month
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