Where to go in May
The best places to explore at this time of year
The best places to explore at this time of year
May sees the beginning of the peak dry season in Southern Africa. The bush is starting to dry out, and the vegetation begins to thin producing top-notch wildlife viewing conditions. More and more of the smaller bush camps that are inaccessible in the green season are beginning to open their doors for business, especially in Zambia and Zimbabwe. In Botswana, the rains are mostly over but the Okavango Delta is filling up nicely, and in South Africa it’s a great time to visit Kruger but be wary of dropping temperatures in Cape Town. East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda) are still in the grips of their rainy season.
Madagascar’s weather and climate is as diverse as its flora and fauna. Generally speaking, the north is hot and humid, the south is much drier, and the east is rather wet, and whenever you go, you’ll get a mix of everything. But in May, the cyclone season is over and it’s much drier over the whole country in general. It’s still not quite peak season (which begins in June and lasts until November), so the main attractions are less crowded, and you’ll find lush landscapes and bounding lemurs.
May is the beginning of Namibia’s winter, but no fear! This isn’t a northern hemisphere winter and you’ll find plenty of sunshine, long, dry days and low humidity. In Etosha National Park, the Big Five are all present and correct and starting to gather around the waterholes. The dunes of Sossusvlei are magical year-round, but in May, they can still be covered in a layer of grass attracting desert-adapted animals from near and far; an incredible sight. In the far north, Damaraland and Kaokoland are pleasantly warm, and in the south, take advantage of the slightly cooler weather to hike Fish River Canyon.
Zimbabwe is technically still in the ‘shoulder season’ in May, and the perfect cross between the green and the dry seasons. So, what does that mean if you’re travelling? Clear, fresh days, excellent wildlife sightings as the animals begin to congregate around the permanent water holes, and fewer crowds all round. Matobo is beautiful at this time of year and in Hwange the iconic elephant herds are back. In Mana Pools, the bush camps are re-opening and walking safaris are a go. Oh, and many of the camps and lodges offer spectacularly good rates before the peak season truly kicks in.
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Namibrand, Namibia
