May marks a turning point in Zimbabwe’s safari calendar. The last whispers of the rainy season have faded, and the landscape shifts steadily toward the crisp clarity of winter. Grasses begin to yellow, the air cools, and animals start to congregate near permanent water sources. This is the true beginning of the dry season—and while it’s still early, May offers a rare blend of lingering greenery and improving visibility. It’s a time of gentle contrasts and a growing sense of anticipation.

Weather in Zimbabwe in May

May brings cooler, drier air across Zimbabwe. Rainfall is now almost entirely absent, and the days are typically sunny and mild. Temperatures range from 10°C in the early mornings to 26°C (50°F to 79°F) during the day, making it one of the most comfortable months for travel. Humidity drops significantly, skies are crystal-clear, and the light becomes sharper—ideal conditions for photography and long days on safari.

Evenings and early mornings are noticeably cooler, especially in higher areas like the Eastern Highlands or Matobo Hills, where you may want a jacket or fleece. But overall, the weather is calm, stable, and deeply refreshing.

Wildlife Viewing: A Season Awakens

As vegetation continues to thin, wildlife viewing improves dramatically. Water sources begin to shrink, drawing more animals out into the open. Elephant herds move with more predictability, and predators become easier to track. Plains game gather in larger numbers, and each day brings more sightings in clearer terrain.

Hwange National Park begins to shine in May. With its varied habitats and large elephant populations, the park is well-positioned to offer early-season excitement. Lions and painted dogs are frequently seen, and birding—though beginning to quiet down from the peak of summer—still offers rewarding moments, particularly around waterholes and wetlands.

What makes May special is the balance: the landscape still carries the softness and color of the Green Season, but animal activity is rising sharply. There’s a sense of things aligning—of wildlife and weather finding a shared rhythm.

Where to Go on Safari in May

Hwange is one of the best destinations this month, offering a glimpse of the dry season’s promise with fewer tourists and excellent game viewing. Camps that may have been closed earlier in the year are now reopening, and guides are eager to begin the long season ahead.

Mana Pools National Park, located along the lower Zambezi River, also begins to open up in May. While some camps wait until June, others welcome guests early, offering a front-row seat to one of Africa’s most scenic and untouched safari areas. This is a place of ancient forests, deep stillness, and encounters that feel profoundly personal.

Gonarezhou and Matobo Hills remain strong contenders as well, particularly for those seeking landscapes rich in geological drama and cultural heritage. Trails are walkable, roads are dry, and the bush is alive with movement.

Victoria Falls in May

Victoria Falls remains at high flow in May, continuing the powerful display that began in April. The Zambezi River is still surging, and the Falls thunder into the gorge with breathtaking force. Mist blankets the rainforest trails, sunlight catches in the spray, and every viewpoint offers a new angle on nature’s grandeur.

This is peak flow—meaning the Falls are at their fullest and most dramatic. While some views may be partially obscured by the sheer volume of mist, the sensory impact is unforgettable. You don’t just see Victoria Falls in May—you feel it.

Activities such as helicopter flights, gorge swings, and zip-lining are all in full swing, and the town remains relatively uncrowded compared to later months, making for a more relaxed and spacious experience.

Why Visit Zimbabwe in May?

May is an underrated gem in Zimbabwe’s travel calendar. It offers the visual beauty of the wet season’s tail end, paired with the growing clarity and action of the dry. The weather is near perfect, wildlife sightings are on the rise, and the country is open and welcoming without the crowds that come later in the year.

If you want to remember the first crackle of dry grass underfoot, the return of starlit skies, and wildlife beginning to move with purpose, then May is the moment your Zimbabwean adventure truly begins.