The Serengeti in May.

Wildlife in May

The migration is in the central Serengeti through mid-month and pushes into the western corridor by late May. The first tentative Grumeti River crossings begin in the last week of May in some years — smaller and quieter than the Mara crossings to come, with the largest crocodiles in East Africa in residence. The wildebeest rut happens this month: short, intense, three weeks of dominant bulls holding territory and challenging each other (you'll hear the grunting from kilometres away). Many mobile camps remain closed but the permanent lodges in central and western Serengeti are open. Resident game in Seronera is strong. Tarangire is starting its dry-season build-up — elephant herds beginning to gather along the Tarangire River. Birds are in breeding plumage and intra-African migrants are still present.

Whatever the season, Serengeti game viewing is strong year-round — resident lion, elephant, leopard, hippo and buffalo populations don't migrate. May simply changes the spectacle.

Weather and what to pack

Rains taper through the month. The first two weeks can still produce heavy afternoon storms; by the last week most days are dry with only occasional showers. Daytime 23-28°C, mornings cool to 15-17°C, humidity dropping. Pack a packable rain shell (still needed for early-month afternoons), warm layers for cold morning game drives, and quick-dry trousers. Black-cotton mud sections remain a real issue in remote areas through mid-month; from late May the dirt roads firm up rapidly.

We send a tailored packing list with your booking confirmation — by month, by region, and by lodge type. See our full Tanzania packing guide for the long version.

Park-by-park in May

What's actually happening across the wider Tanzanian circuit this month — beyond the Serengeti migration line.

Central Serengeti (Seronera)

Migration moving through. Rut audible across the plains.

Western Corridor / Grumeti

Herds arriving by late month. First tentative Grumeti crossings possible.

Tarangire

Dry-season build-up beginning. Elephant gathering along the river.

Ruaha

Excellent from late May. Game concentrating around shrinking water.

Kilimanjaro routes

Late-month windows climbable on Machame and Lemosho.

Recommended itineraries for May

For travelers visiting the Serengeti in May, these are our most-booked options. Each is private — your own guide and Land Cruiser.

• Most balanced
  5-Day Northern Circuit
• Most-booked
  7-Day Classic Tanzania

If Maydoesn't work

Tarangire is building toward its peak — elephant concentrations begin to gather along the river and the western circuit makes a strong shoulder option. Ruaha is excellent from late May onward as water sources shrink and game concentrates. Nyerere/Selous works for travelers who want boating on the Rufiji and walking safaris in the south. Skip Kilimanjaro in the first half of the month; the back half (from around 20 May) is climbable on Machame and Lemosho with experienced operators. Zanzibar weather improves through the month.

Frequently asked

Is May a good time to visit the Serengeti?

Late May is one of the best-value windows of the year — herds are forming up for crossings and lodges drop prices 25-40%. The season is long rains and crowding is low.

Where is the migration in May?

In May, the migration herds are typically at the Western Corridor / Grumeti River.

What's the weather like in May?

Rains taper through the month. The first two weeks can still produce heavy afternoon storms; by the last week most days are dry with only occasional showers. Daytime 23-28°C, mornings cool to 15-17°C, humidity dropping. Pack a packable rain shell (still needed for early-month afternoons), warm layers for cold morning game drives, and quick-dry trousers. Black-cotton mud sections remain a real issue in remote areas through mid-month; from late May the dirt roads firm up rapidly.

How far ahead should I book a May safari?

Green-to-dry transition — book 3-5 months ahead. Late May (last two weeks) is one of the year's best value windows; book by January-February.

If May is fully booked, when else should I consider?

Tarangire is building toward its peak — elephant concentrations begin to gather along the river and the western circuit makes a strong shoulder option. Ruaha is excellent from late May onward as water sources shrink and game concentrates. Nyerere/Selous works for travelers who want boating on the Rufiji and walking safaris in the south. Skip Kilimanjaro in the first half of the month; the back half (from around 20 May) is climbable on Machame and Lemosho with experienced operators. Zanzibar weather improves through the month.