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Zambia in May

Africa's best authentic tailor-made safaris

May is considered a shoulder season month, as the rains fade away to pave the way for the dry season beginning in June. During a Zambia safari at this time of the year, you’ll witness the magical transition between the emerald season and the peak safari season.

As the weather becomes drier, vegetation loses its lustre, making wildlife easier to spot through the bush. Water sources also dry up, causing animals to be less dispersed.

The air is crisp and cooler thanks to lower humidity levels, making walking safaris and game drives far more comfortable.

Weather in May

Red Lechwe jumping over water on Busanga Plains in Kafue National Park, Zambia
Red Lechwe jumping over water on Busanga Plains in Kafue National Park, Zambia | Photo credit: Getty Images, Canva

By May, the rains have cleared, leaving behind bright, sunny days and a landscape that is beginning to dry. This transition significantly improves wildlife viewing as animals begin to congregate around more permanent water sources.

While daytime temperatures are pleasantly warm and ideal for long game drives, the early mornings carry a crisp, refreshing chill; we recommend layering up with warm clothing to stay comfortable during those first few hours on the game vehicle.

Average Weather in May

TemperatureCelsiusFahrenheitRainfall
Min 11℃52℉ 0.04 inches
Max 26℃79℉0.35 inches

National Parks to Visit in Zambia During May

Sioma Ngwezi National Park

A remote safari destination within Zambia, Sioma Ngwezi National Park is known for the impressive Ngonye Falls. This park is part of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, an initiative between countries that allows for the free movement of animals across borders.

Safari-goers in this off-the-beaten-track destination can see vast herds of elephants, giraffes, and a variety of antelope species. Predator numbers are growing, so there are opportunities to see lions, hyenas, and wild dogs.

Liuwa Plain National Park

May to June is one of the best times of the year to visit Liuwa Plain National Park. The region dries up after the rainy season – the park is located in the floodplains of the upper Zambezi Basin – and sunny conditions create fantastic safari opportunities.

Lions and wild dogs have been reintroduced to the park, so you have the opportunity to spot these predators prowling around the herbivores found here. Vast herds of zebras and wildebeest can be seen across the grasslands.

Activities to Do in Zambia in May

  • Game drives
  • Walking safaris
  • Victoria Falls tours

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"From the very beginning, Bianca was a wonderful help in planning our South African safari. Her knowledge, attention to detail, and thoughtful recommendations made our trip truly exceptional. Becks Safari Lodge was, in our group’s opinion, a six-star expe..."

Leanne Morris, Australia•12 Jun 2026•

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"I used Discover Africa services for organizing our South African safari. Justin was our organizer, he did an excellent job. He was very communicative, responsive and very helpful. He helped us all the way and kept in contact also during the Safari. I will d..."

Shahin Shahkarami, South Africa•14 Feb 2026•

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"We had a truly magical safari experience perfectly planned & organised for us by Susan Veldman at Discover Africa. We flew from Cape Town to Hoedspruit and then seamlessly transferred to the most beautiful lodge in the Karongwe private game reserve. ..."

David Forbes, United Kingdom•03 Feb 2026•

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"From start to finish, every phase of our trip was seamless. From the man who greeted us at Nairobi airport when we arrived to the woman who assisted us at our departure, we were taken care of perfectly. Our lodges at Saruni Samburu and Saruni Mara were beau..."

Lynne Calero, United States•20 Nov 2025•

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"Very professional; quick to respond. The trip itself was fantastic. The lodging and the game drives were great. Guide was great; he anticipated where hard-to-find animals would show up. Lodge staff were very friendly. Food was great. "

Akos Ledeczi, United States•12 Nov 2025•

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"What we appreciated was the effort in doing all the best to satisfy our requests! So everything was as expected.. the tented camp (everything was like at home),the game drive( we asked a private tour), the position of the camp ( very important for us, we sa..."

Silvia Del Giovane, Italy•12 Nov 2025•

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