Tanzania Weather in May

  Season: Long Rainy Season
  In Short: Cool; showers often fall in late afternoon and at night

Tanzania weather in May is generally cool in the morning and evening, and warm or hot at noon. The average temperatures range from 20 - 29°C (68 - 84.2°F). It’s coming to the late period of the long rainy season, with the average monthly rainfall reducing to around 84 mm and rainy days decreasing to 9. In addition, the rainfall is often showers in the late afternoon and at night.

The climate in the savannah can be changeable, especially in rainy season. So if you’re planning to travel in May 2025, you’d better check the weather forecast in advance and avoid going out in bad weather.

Ngorongoro Crater Visit in May

 The rainiest places in Tanzania in May:

 The driest places in Tanzania in May: 
Dodoma: 6 mm, 1 day; Morogoro: 7 mm, 2 days

 The hottest places in Tanzania in May:
Zanzibar: 23 - 30°C (73.4 - 86°F); Dar es Salaam: 22 - 30°C (71.6 - 86°F)
 The coolest places in Tanzania in May: 
Tabora: 16 - 28°C (60.8 - 82.4°F); Morogoro: 16 - 28°C (60.8 - 82.4°F)

Pros and Cons of Traveling to Tanzania in May

 Sunny daytime: Although it’s in the rainy season, it mostly rains in the late afternoon and at night, making daytime safari feasible.
 Lush vegetation: The grassland is verdant and full of vitality. And there will be less flying dust.

Travel to Tanzania for a Safari in May

Packing List

 Clothes: During the day, you can wear a tank top or a T-shirt, and add a sunscreen shirt or a thin long-sleeved shirt to protect you from strong ultraviolet rays on sunny days. Shorts and light trousers are acceptable. It will be cooler when you go on night safari or visit high altitude places like Ngorongoro, so take a hoodie or a hardshell jacket; a relatively thick scarf is also fine.

Tips: Disposable change of clothes are highly recommended. And it’s better to wear light or earth colored clothes to avoid flies’ bites.

 Shoes: Walking shoes and sneakers are good for your walking safari. Slippers are perfect for beach tours, and also will be more comfortable for long safaris in off-road vehicles and convenient to be taken off when you need to step on the seat to see animals.

 Accessories: Face masks, hats with strings and sunglasses are good sun protection helpers. Mosquito repellent is also a must. Take an umbrella in case of the rain. And some wipes, band-aids and cold medicines are suggested.

Recommended Places to Go

Tourism Rate: 

A Lot of Hippos in Serengeti

1. Ngorongoro Conservation Area

2. Serengeti

Boating around Zanzibar

Nourished by rain in May, Serengeti savannah is with lush vegetation and full of life. A wide variety of wild animals are living here, including lions, elephants, zebras, wildebeest, and giraffes. It’s a place that you won’t take long to see all members of the “Big Five”. In May, herds of wildebeest arrive in central and western Serengeti. It is worth mentioning that during this period, cute baby animals haven’t grown up yet and you are so likely to see them travelling with their mother or group.

3. Zanzibar

After safari, come to the beach to relax. In May, the average temperature of Zanzibar is around 26°C (78.8°F), making it cozy to stay. There are plenty of interesting activities to attend, such as chasing dolphins, snorkeling, and riding horses along the beach. Moreover, you can go to the Stone City and bargain for souvenirs. Then go to the Prison Island to see the century-old turtle. There is also a prison restaurant, suitable for taking photos.

Weather in Major Destinations in Tanzania in May

Tanzania Weather by Month