Direct operator since 1978Original photographyNamed local guides4.8★ on Google
Lush green Tarangire landscape in May — the plains vibrant with new grass, elephants browsing near the river, and dramatic clouds against a bright sky

Tarangire in May

Rains easing. Landscape still green. Crowds still low. The last month of green-season value.

Plan My Safari

May is the month when Tarangire transitions from the deep green season toward the dry season that will follow. The landscape is still lush — rivers full, grass high, baobabs in full leaf — but the rain is easing, the light is improving, and the wildlife is beginning to concentrate around the water sources that will become critical in the months ahead.

For first-time Tanzania visitors, May offers a compelling combination: excellent wildlife viewing (the animals are there, accessible, and active), dramatically beautiful landscapes (still green, still atmospheric), very few other visitors, and significantly discounted rates compared to the peak June–October season.

For experienced safari travellers who have seen the dry-season spectacle, May offers something different again: a Tarangire in transition, the land still carrying the richness of the wet season, the wildlife resuming its dry-season patterns.

The May Transition

May is characterised by change. The landscape retains its wet-season richness — the plains are still green, the rivers still full — but the animal movements are shifting. As the ground dries gradually, wildlife begins to orient more strongly toward permanent water sources, and our guides adapt their tracking accordingly.

This transitional quality makes May one of the most interesting months for guides and experienced wildlife observers. The animals are in the process of adjusting from their wet-season dispersal patterns, and you can witness that adjustment in real time — following herds as they begin to move back toward the river line, watching predator activity increase as prey becomes more concentrated.

For photographers, May conditions are more reliable than April — more dry periods, better light — while retaining the atmospheric quality of the green season. This is one of the best months for landscape photography in Tarangire.

Green Tarangire plains in May — a giraffe browsing in the lush vegetation with the last dramatic clouds of the wet season in the background
Tarangire river in May — full flowing water winding through the green landscape with elephants on the far bank at sunset

Wildlife in May

May wildlife is transitional and active. After the births of the wet season, many antelope species have new offspring. Lions are active — cubs are visible, and the hunting of returning prey concentrations provides excellent predator viewing. Elephants are moving between the river and the more distant feeding grounds.

The birdlife in May is exceptional. Many resident species are in full breeding plumage, and the combination of resident and lingering migratory birds provides variety. The woodland areas near the river are particularly good for birding.

Compared to June–October, the wildlife concentrations are lower. Compared to March–April, they are recovering and more visible. May sits in the middle — good access to wildlife, in a landscape that is still lush and beautiful.

May vs Other Months

Wildlife concentration

Better than March–April, not yet at dry-season peak. The transition makes May interesting for experienced observers.

Landscape

Still green and lush — better than June–October. May has some of the best landscape beauty of the year.

Crowds

Low — well below peak season. May sees perhaps 10–15% of the vehicles that August sees.

Value

Significant green-season discounts still available. Better value than June–October, close to April rates.

Weather

Rains easing — more dry periods than April. Occasional heavy showers still possible. Mornings usually clear.

Photography

Excellent. Green landscape + more reliable light than April + fewer crowds = ideal conditions.

May Tarangire Itinerary

May is ideal for a 5–6 day Northern Circuit safari combining Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Ngorongoro Crater before heading to the Serengeti as the dry season establishes there in June.

Day 1Arusha → Tarangire. Afternoon game drive on arrival — the park in its May transitional beauty.
Day 2Full day in Tarangire. Dawn to dusk — river crossings, southern plains, western woodlands.
Day 3Tarangire → Lake Manyara (1 hour). Morning game drive — tree-climbing lions, groundwater forest, flamingos on the lake.
Day 4Lake Manyara → Ngorongoro Crater. Descend to the crater floor for a full morning game drive.
Day 5Ngorongoro → Serengeti. Enter via the southern or western corridor — May is excellent in these areas before the big dry-season concentrations form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is May a good time to visit Tarangire?
May is an excellent shoulder-season month to visit Tarangire. The long rains are easing — still occasional heavy showers but more frequent dry periods — the landscape is still lush and green from the wet season, wildlife is recovering from the dry season's stress, and visitor numbers remain very low. Lodge rates are still significantly below peak season. It is one of our favourite months for a first-time Tanzania visitor who wants to balance good wildlife viewing with excellent value.
How rainy is May in Tarangire?
May is transitional — the heavy rains of April ease significantly, and dry periods become more frequent and longer. You should still expect occasional heavy showers, but afternoon thundershowers are less consistent than April, and morning game drives are frequently dry. The landscape is still green from the wet season, and the rivers remain full. May is significantly easier to safari in than April, while retaining much of the green season's atmospheric beauty.
What wildlife can I see in Tarangire in May?
May wildlife is transitional — the concentrations of the dry season have not yet formed, but the full dispersal of the wet season is easing. Waterholes are becoming more important as grazing animals return to lower-lying areas. Elephants are generally well-distributed and visible. Lions are active after the births of spring. Birdlife is excellent — resident breeding species are active, and some migratory species are still present. The combination of conditions makes May a solid all-round wildlife month.
Is May crowded at Tarangire?
May remains well below peak-season crowd levels. Most visitors come in June–October, so May visitors share the park with a small fraction of the high-season traffic. A morning game drive in May will typically see 2–4 vehicles at major sightings, compared to 15–20 in August. May is particularly popular with photographers and repeat safari-goers who know the value of the shoulder seasons.
Peak season groups fill 6–8 weeks ahead — availability is limited

Start Planning Your Tarangire in May

Personal itinerary, zero obligation — just ask Kassim.

4.8/5 from 149 TripAdvisor reviews
WhatsApp KassimGet Instant Quote