The month in detail
What to expect in May
In May, Tanzania sees 82°F during the day with 8.5h of sunshine per day. Expect rain on 42% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended. A good balance between weather and crowds, even if August (9.2/10) remains theoretically better.
May ranks 8 out of 12 months in Tanzania. Compared to April: 18 pts fewer rainy days, +1.2h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
8 · very high
protection essential
Feels like
comfortable
14°
Daylight
11.7h of daylight
Air quality
excellent
AQI 17
Compare
Is May the right month?
The best month in Tanzania is August (9.2/10), 0.9 pt higher than May.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Tanzania
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Tanzania
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a tropical stay.
Country · Tanzania
🗣️LanguageSwahili
💶CurrencyShilling tanzanien (TSh)
🚗DrivingLeft-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘVery cheap · 1/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeEquatorial tropical
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthNovember · 90°F
❄️Coolest monthJune · 81°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘApril · 60%
🏝️ Tropical stay
🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep
🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar
🌀Cyclones ⓘNone (equator)
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Tanzania ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
TanzaniaEquatorial tropical climate with a 9.2 → 5.7 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
6.37°S · 35.75°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Tanzania?
August is the best month with 82°F highs, 61°F lows, 9.2h of sunshine and 13.0% rainy days. The months of August & July offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Tanzania get in August?
Tanzania averages 9.2 sunshine hours per day in August. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.8/10.
What is the rainiest month in Tanzania?
December is the most unfavourable month with December has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Tanzania in August?
In August, overnight lows reach 61°F, while afternoon highs average 82°F.
Is Tanzania good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Tanzania scores 7.3/10 on average — Acceptable conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains August with a score of 8.8/10.
When should you avoid Tanzania?
December is the most difficult month to visit Tanzania, with December has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Do you need sun protection in Tanzania in May?
The average UV index reaches 8 in May in Tanzania (very high), with about 11.7h of daylight. Protection essential.