Thinking about an African safari in May? If you go to the right locations, the weather is great, and its status as a ‘shoulder season’ means you get most of the benefits of high/peak season without all of the drawbacks of low season. Most of southern Africa, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia, is beautiful in May. As the dense vegetation dries out, wildlife viewing in southern Africa improves. An African safari in May means mild temperatures, making it ideal for a safari. Furthermore, it is not yet high season, so pricing is often favourable. We’ve got a quick guide on where to go on an African safari in May.
Chobe National Park for an African Safari in May
Chobe National Park is home to two spectacular wildlife areas: Chobe Riverfront and Savuti. The Chobe is one of Africa’s most gorgeous rivers, and exploring the riverfront by boat is a terrific way to see wildlife species like elephants and buffalo. The Chobe National Park can be visited all year. However, the park’s wildlife migrates with the seasons, so the riverfront region is best explored during the dry season, which runs from May to October.
Namib-Naukluft National Park
The Namib-Naukluft National Park is one of Africa’s largest and top destinations for a unique African safari in May. It is home to the Sossusvlei area, which is an ocean of massive red dunes and one of Namibia’s most popular tourist attractions. Although the desert habitat does not sustain many large wildlife species, any visit here will be more than enjoyable if you take the time to appreciate the stunning scenery and smaller critters. While the park is open all year, the best time to come is during the cooler months of May through October.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is ideal for an African Safari in May
The Kwazulu-Natal province’s flagship park is Hluhluwe-iMfolozi. It is also one of Africa’s oldest parks, having been established in the 1890s as a refuge for the last remaining population of southern white rhinos. The species was spared from extinction here. Rhinos are becoming increasingly common in the park. The dry winter months of May to September are ideal for visiting Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve. The foliage thins out during this time, and animals concentrate around water sources.
Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is rightfully one of Africa’s most well-known parks and is a great destination for an African safari in May. The park is the size of a small country and is home to a diverse range of wildlife, and the Big Five are all present. Kruger is one of the greatest parks for self-drive safaris due to its extensive road network that is suitable for 2WD vehicles. The dry winter months of May to September are ideal for visiting Kruger National Park. The vegetation thins out during this time of year, and animals concentrate around waterholes and rivers. As the winter progresses, conditions tend to improve.
Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s largest and most visited park. It provides great wildlife viewing, with most of the well-known safari animals, including the Big Five, present. Hwange is best known for the large number of elephants that congregate at the park’s waterholes during the dry season. The dry season, from May to October, is the best time to see wildlife in Hwange National Park. The numerous waterholes serve as gathering spots for animals, and the decreasing undergrowth makes them easier to observe.
