Start of the drier season · Weather & things to do
Ngorongoro in May
Ngorongoro edges cooler than April, with highs of 72°F (22°C), lows of 55°F (13°C) and about 3.7 in (95 mm) of rain.
It scores 83/100 for comfort, 6th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 72°F (22°C)
- Avg low
- 55°F (13°C)
- Rain
- 3.7 in (95 mm)
- Humidity
- 84%
- Cloud cover
- 62%
- Daylight
- ~11 h 51 min
- Comfort score
- 83/100 · Great
What May feels like
Days are warm, averaging 72°F (22°C), easy weather for being outside from morning to evening.
Nights cool to an average low of 55°F (13°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 3.7 in (95 mm).
Plan around May
May is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (June – October).
- Comfort improves from 58/100 in April to 83/100.
- Our Kenya & Tanzania Safari route recommends Jun – Oct, so May falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for May
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 72°F
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hathigh UV on clear days
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Ngorongoro in May
May is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Gibb's Farm
Coffee farm and lodge near Karatu serving lunches built on its own organic gardens.
Why now May scores 83/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Lake Magadi
Shallow soda lake on the crater floor where flamingos feed and hippos wallow.
Why now Highs near 72°F and 3.7 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Ngoitokitok Springs
Spring-fed pool on the crater floor used as a picnic stop, with hippos nearby.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Stone lodge built into the crater rim, with a bar and terrace looking over the caldera.
Entamanu Ngorongoro
Small Nomad Tanzania camp on the crater's western rim, serving set meals with views across the crater floor.
Nearby in May
- Serengeti in May~76 mi · highs 79°F, 2.6 in rain · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, drier
- Maasai Mara in May~121 mi · highs 77°F, 4.1 in rain · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Nairobi in May~160 mi · highs 77°F, 2.9 in rain · 3°C (6°F) warmer by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~2,006 m to Ngorongoro's ~1,756 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Ngorongoro in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Ngorongoro?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 83/100 against a best of 95 in June – October. Expect highs of 72°F (22°C) and 3.7 in (95 mm) of rain. Our Kenya & Tanzania Safari route recommends Jun – Oct, so May is outside its suggested window.
How hot is Ngorongoro in May?
Average highs are 72°F (22°C) and average lows 55°F (13°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Ngorongoro in May?
Some: about 3.7 in (95 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 6th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 44.6 in (1134 mm).
What should I pack for Ngorongoro in May?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 72°F), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (high UV on clear days), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Ngorongoro
Planning Ngorongoro in May?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.