Start of the drier season · Weather & things to do
Serengeti in May
This is the coldest month in Serengeti: highs average 79°F (26°C) and lows 58°F (15°C), with about 2.6 in (66 mm) of rain.
It scores 82/100 for comfort, 4th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 79°F (26°C)
- Avg low
- 58°F (15°C)
- Rain
- 2.6 in (66 mm)
- Humidity
- 75%
- Cloud cover
- 64%
- Daylight
- ~11 h 54 min
- Comfort score
- 82/100 · Great
What May feels like
Highs settle around 79°F (26°C), warm enough for short sleeves.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 58°F (15°C).
With 75% average humidity, it feels muggy.
Some rain is likely, about 2.6 in (66 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 & July).
- Comfort improves from 68/100 in April to 82/100.
- Our Kenya & Tanzania Safari route recommends Jun – Oct, so May falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for May
- Light, breathable clothes79°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- Quick-dry fabrics75% average humidity
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 2.6 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Serengeti in May
May is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Seronera Valley
River valley in the central Serengeti with year-round water and dense leopard, lion and cheetah sightings.
Why now May scores 82/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Retima Hippo Pool
Pool at the junction of the Grumeti and Seronera rivers packed with hundreds of hippos.
Why now Highs near 79°F and 2.6 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Serengeti Visitor Centre
Seronera information center with an elevated walkway and displays on the ecosystem and migration.
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Hilltop lodge styled like a Maasai village, with sundowners over the central plains.
Nearby in May
- Maasai Mara in May~62 mi · highs 77°F, 4.1 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Ngorongoro in May~76 mi · highs 72°F, 3.7 in rain · 4°C (7°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Nairobi in May~155 mi · highs 77°F, 2.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,664 m to Serengeti's ~1,468 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.
Serengeti in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Serengeti?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 82/100 against a best of 92 in June & July. Expect highs of 79°F (26°C) and 2.6 in (66 mm) of rain. Our Kenya & Tanzania Safari route recommends Jun – Oct, so May is outside its suggested window.
How hot is Serengeti in May?
Average highs are 79°F (26°C) and average lows 58°F (15°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Serengeti in May?
Some: about 2.6 in (66 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 6th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 37.5 in (953 mm).
What should I pack for Serengeti in May?
Bring light, breathable clothes (79°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (strong sun this month), quick-dry fabrics (75% average humidity), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 2.6 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Serengeti
Planning Serengeti in May?
Share this May plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.