May is a good time to visit most of southern Africa, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia. It is less ideal for safaris in East Africa, which experiences the Wet season at this time. Wildlife viewing gets better in southern Africa as the bush is drying out. This autumn month offers mild temperatures, in which to enjoy a safari to the fullest. It’s not high season yet, so prices tend to be favorable.
| Botswana | Excellent |
| Kenya | Fair |
| Namibia | Excellent |
| Rwanda | Fair |
| South Africa | Excellent |
| Tanzania | Fair |
| Uganda | Fair |
| Zambia | Good |
| Zimbabwe | Good |
See below for an overview of the best parks to visit in Africa by country. Please note that the listings focus on the most popular parks only and are not comprehensive.
Central Kalahari GR Excellent
Chobe NP Excellent
Moremi GR Good
Okavango Delta Good
No Best Parks & Reserves in May
Kenya does not have parks that are best visited in May.
When to visit Kenya?
Namib-Naukluft NP Excellent
Skeleton Coast NP Good
Akagera NP Good
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR Excellent
Kruger NP Excellent
Phinda GR Excellent
Sabi Sands Excellent
Ngorongoro Crater Excellent
Ruaha NP Fair
Murchison Falls NP Good
Kafue NP Good
Lower Zambezi NP Good
South Luangwa NP Good
Hwange NP Good
Mana Pools NP Good
Every safari is special and wherever you go, there will be memories you’ll cherish. Having said that, wildlife viewing is highly seasonal. To ensure a successful trip, it makes sense to plan your adventure properly. Here are some pointers if you are wondering where to go on safari in May.
As the Dry season starts, the Okavango Delta fills up with rainwater traveling down all the way from the Angola highlands. This watery wonderland, surrounded by the Kalahari Desert, becomes a haven for thirsty animals. For a safari, the timing is ideal. The channels are now deep enough for exploration in mokoros (dugout canoes), but the peak season hasn’t started yet.
Okavango Delta Tours
May is a lovely shoulder month in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia. It marks the beginning of the Dry season, the best time for wildlife viewing. The bush starts to dry out and animals start to gather around reliable water sources, which makes them easier to find. As the high season only really starts in June, you can capitalize on some good deals in May. Furthermore, the milder evenings and mornings make open-vehicle game drives more enjoyable in this month than in the colder winter months of June and July.
South Africa Tours
May is a great month to visit Sossusvlei in Namibia. The cool autumn air offers fantastic photography conditions with skies clear of dust or clouds. The contrasts of colors between the red dunes and blue heavens are breathtaking, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. And then there is the night sky – you have to see it to believe it. This shoulder month is also superb temperature-wise. It’s not too hot during the day, but nights aren’t freezing either, as is the case in June to July.
Sossusvlei Tours
With the intense heat and rains of the summer out of the way, May is a lovely month to go to Mozambique. The moderate temperatures of this month are excellent for enjoying the picture-perfect beaches of the Bazaruto and Quirimbas Archipelagos. These islands are renowned for their diving and snorkeling opportunities, and the calm waters of May offer fine conditions with incredible visibility.
Bazaruto Holidays