End of the wetter season · Weather & things to do
Maasai Mara in May
This is the coldest month in Maasai Mara: highs average 77°F (25°C) and lows 58°F (15°C), with about 4.1 in (103 mm) of rain.
It scores 75/100 for comfort, 7th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 77°F (25°C)
- Avg low
- 58°F (15°C)
- Rain
- 4.1 in (103 mm)
- Humidity
- 78%
- Cloud cover
- 66%
- Daylight
- ~11 h 56 min
- Comfort score
- 75/100 · Great
What May feels like
Warm afternoons near 77°F (25°C) make long days outdoors easy.
Nights cool to an average low of 58°F (15°C).
Some rain is likely, about 4.1 in (103 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Plan around May
May is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (June – August).
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, March – May.
- Comfort improves from 65/100 in April to 75/100.
- Our Kenya & Tanzania Safari route recommends Jun – Oct, so May falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for May
- Light, breathable clothes77°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 4.1 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Maasai Mara in May
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Mara Serena Safari Lodge
Hilltop lodge in the Mara Triangle whose terrace bar overlooks the Mara River plains.
Why now May scores 75/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Oloololo Escarpment
Steep western rim of the Mara Triangle with sweeping views over the plains below.
Why now Highs near 77°F and 4.1 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Governors' Camp
Classic tented camp on the Mara River in Musiara, serving meals with hippos below the bank.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Mara Naboisho Conservancy
Community-owned conservancy bordering the reserve, allowing walks and night drives with fewer vehicles.
Governors' Balloon Safaris
Dawn hot-air balloon flight over the reserve, finished with a champagne bush breakfast.
Nearby in May
- Serengeti in May~62 mi · highs 79°F, 2.6 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, drier
- Nairobi in May~117 mi · highs 77°F, 2.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, drier
- Ngorongoro in May~121 mi · highs 72°F, 3.7 in rain · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Maasai Mara in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Maasai Mara?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 75/100 against a best of 90 in June – August. Expect highs of 77°F (25°C) and 4.1 in (103 mm) of rain. Our Kenya & Tanzania Safari route recommends Jun – Oct, so May is outside its suggested window.
How hot is Maasai Mara in May?
Average highs are 77°F (25°C) and average lows 58°F (15°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Maasai Mara in May?
Some: about 4.1 in (103 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 6th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 44.3 in (1124 mm).
What should I pack for Maasai Mara in May?
Bring light, breathable clothes (77°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (strong sun this month), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 4.1 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Maasai Mara
Planning Maasai Mara in May?
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