Late May is a great time to safari in Tanzanias Northern circuit.
Tanzania safari in May heralds the beginning of the dry season in Tanzania and the start of the northward migration season. Dry conditions prevail and the occasional afternoon or evening thundershower is a welcome relief. Wildlife viewing can be tremendous in May when the migration is on the move and the great herds pour through the Central and Westerns regions of the Serengeti. With pleasant temperatures and extraordinary wildlife viewing, May is one of the most popular months in Tanzania for a safari.
Northern Tanzania: It rains half of the days of the month, but seldom all day, at the famous northern attractions. There are warm to hot temperatures and moderate to high rainfall. Tanzania has the greatest concentration of large wild animals in the world, and though conditions are not the best for spotting the most wildlife, with a good guide, you still can see many amid beautiful scenery.
Southern Tanzania: In May, there is moderate to low rainfall since some areas such as Ruaha National Park are in dry season earlier than the rest of Tanzania. Weather conditions are usually fair or good in both Ruaha and Nyerere by the end of May.
Tanzania Weather in May
May heralds the end of the wet season, which lasts from about the beginning of November to mid May. By mid May, the weather generally begins to clear and all the parks begin their season of change. There is a chance of heavy rain in the beginning of May and lighter showers can be expected for a few hours every other day during the remainder of May. However, when it does rain, it will usually clear in 1-2 hours and more then likely the rain will be localized. It is rare that rain clouds will settle over a large area for an extended period of time. May is the end of the season of the so-called ‘long rains’, which simply does not mean much of anything in the Serengeti and is more applicable to other areas in East Area. There is a risk that the heavier rains will pose an inconvenience on game drives especially during the beginning of May. This risk is mitigated by the fact that it tends to rain less on the Serengeti plains where the best wildlife viewing is located during May. Additionally, we believe the month of May offers superb game viewing opportunities. We strongly recommend longer duration safaris during the beginning May. We view the extra night or two as insurance against the potential of sour weather having a negative impact on any one day.
Temperatures are pleasant with an average high of 81 degrees and an average low of 56 degrees. However, the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater can get quite cold at night and in the early morning. Visitor numbers drop off dramatically at the beginning of March and during April and May the parks are completely empty of tourists. April and May see the fewest visitors of any month and lodging costs are substantially reduced. There is hardly anyone around in the parks, wildlife concentrations are at their highest in the Southern Serengeti, and the landscape is a lush green. May is one of our favorite times to take a safari!
The Best Places to Visit in Tanzania Safari in May
Top things to do in May include enjoying the urban highlights and seeing wildlife.
Dar Es Salaam — Tour the Highlights
Dar Es Salaam is the capital city with a population of 6 million. Many tourists use its airport, and the airport is the largest in Tanzania. It is hot, and its rainfall is high with flooding possible.
Things to do in the city when rain hampers outdoors activities include visiting the The National Museum to learn about Tanzanian history and culture. When it is not raining, you could shop at the local street markets such as Kariakoo and the see the Botanical Gardens. Bongoyo Island is a protected island offshore for a natural get away.
Natural parklands within driving distance of Dar Es Salaam: Pugu Hills Forest Reserve (1 hour’s drive) and Mikumi National Park (4½ hours’ drive).
Ngorongoro Crater — Safari
Of all the famous safari areas of Tanzania you could visit in May, Ngorongoro is recommended for best weather conditions and animal sightings. There are a lot of big animals such as elephants in the biggest volcanic crater on the planet, and conditions for driving and sightseeing are usually fine.
The crater floor is milder and drier because the altitude-2,300-meter (8,500-feet) rim shelters it and forms a drier micro-climate. The floor is about 1,700 meters (5,600 feet) above sea level. Expect freezing temperatures and more precipitation on the rim.
An advantage of going in May is that there are thinner crowds and lower costs. Tanzania is green, lush and beautiful. Driving from Arusha takes about 3 hours.
Tarangire NP — Wildlife and Beautiful Wilderness Close to Arusha
Tarangire preserve is in the plain below Ngorongoro. It is a good place to safari in May, especially at the end of the month when it is drier, because it is much like the Serengeti and conveniently close to both Arusha and the Ngorongoro rim where you could stay in a guesthouse or hotel.
It is suited for a day trip from Arusha since there are good roads. Tarangire is known for its elephant herds and river animals, but the big baobab trees and other vegetation often block the views.
Transport: Tarangire is located 100 km (60 miles) southwest of Arusha and is about a 2-hour drive away. There are landing strips for flights. It is a 3-hour drive from Ngorongoro.
Central Serengeti — See the Great Migration
The Serengeti and Maasai Mara are world famous for the annual Great Migration of about 1.5 million wildebeest, 300,000 gazelles, 200,000 zebras, and 100,000 buffaloes along with hyenas and other animals in the vast plains. Serengeti has the most lions in Tanzania, about 3,500.
The Serengeti is the third largest national park in Tanzania and attracts tens of thousands of tourists each year. A perk for visiting in May is that costs are low since it is low season. There are many fewer people competing to see one of the most impressive natural events.
You can take full advantage of the permanent central Serengeti camps for about half the price when it is quieter with fewer people. The rainfall is moderate though. While the rains are heaviest in the first half of May, the herds congregate in the central Serengeti. Then they start going to the Western Corridor.
Transport: It takes about 9 hours to drive there from Arusha airport. There are direct flights.
Arusha — Resting, Food, and Excursions
The little city of Arusha is called the Safari Capital because people going on wilderness excursions use it as a base. There are luxurious lodges and hotels, spas, places to go, and a domestic airport. In May, the weather is warm and the rainfall is high.
You could visit the Natural History Museum, the Tanzanite Museum, or the Snake Park. Tanzanite, a unique beautiful gemstone that changes colors based on viewpoint, is mined only near Kilimanjaro. It would be an excellent souvenir, and you can buy it locally.
Transport: Driving from Nairobi takes 5 hours. Driving from Kilimanjaro International Airport takes an hour. Arusha NP is about an hour away, and Ngorongoro is about 3 hours away.
Recommended Tours for Tanzania Safari in May
We recommend a private tour for Tanzania. Our travel experts know the local conditions and are good at optimizing your trip for comfort, enjoyment, safety, and speed of travel. Our guides and private drivers speak the local languages to help you communicate better with the people and shop. We recommend you tour in the northern Tanzania in May for better weather conditions, better nature preserves, and more things to do. In May, the parks in the north still get a lot of visitors, but many lodges and hotels are closed in the southern and western park areas. Check out our Tanzania safari itinerary of different durations during the month of January
