May safari - start of the southern dry season

May safari highlights

May announces the start of the dry season in Southern Africa, while the 'long rains' season has settled into East Africa. Seasonal camps and walking safaris open for business in Southern Africa as the dry weather settles in. Expect lower lodge prices and no crowds in both regions.

Southern Africa

Southern Africa has entered the dry season - enjoying lower temperatures and a low chance of rain. The bushveld is still dense, and wildlife viewing is not yet optimal, but the transition to winter landscapes has begun as the grass dries up and shrubs begin to shed leaves. Areas like Greater Kruger enjoy good sightings year-round due to a higher lodge and vehicle density. Botswana offers good wildlife experiences in May, as does Namibia. Seasonal camps and lodges in Zimbabwe and Zambia open in May, after being closed during the wetter months.

South African combo safari options

This diverse country offers various combo safaris linking coastal holidays with a bushveld safari. Cape Town, the Garden Route, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal and Greater Kruger can be combined to cover all interests and budgets, with convenient flights linking these iconic destinations.

Beaches and islands

Mozambique's Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos offer perfect temperatures in May - with light breezes and clear blue skies. Seychelles enjoys warm temperatures, clear water for diving and sand-in-your-toes chilling out for families.

Great Wildebeest Migration - rain & predators

The ‘long rains’ keep on throughout the month of May - so bring rain jackets. The wildebeest calves get stronger and cover greater distances each day. You’ll most likely find the herds between Moru and Mokoma, moving north towards Lake Magadi in central Serengeti. Predators continue to enjoy plenty of success targeting young animals. The wettest part of the day is the evening. The rainfall makes the plains slippery, and vehicles without 4×4 mode will battle to go anywhere. Find out more about the Great Migration here.

Maasai Mara secret season

May continues to enjoy green landscapes with low visitor numbers, making it an excellent time for wildlife viewing. Note that you will need rain jackets as this is the wettest time of the year. Resident cheetahs, lions, leopards and hyenas continue to achieve high success rates by targeting young animals.

Victoria Falls

High May water levels in Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe and Zambia - means that 'the smoke that thunders' sports a massive plume of spray that can be seen from afar - sometimes even obscuring the falls. There is little chance of river rafting due to high water levels, but most other activities are available. Read more about Victoria Falls seasons and other useful info.