Enquire
Why book with us?

What are you looking for?

Hello traveller!

It's in Cape Town now.

We're sorry. Our safari planners aren't available now. Our office hours are 08:00 - 19:00 (GMT+2).

Call us to speak to an experienced safari planner.


Alternatively, we recommend...

travel-form-icon

Complete our travel enquiry form to connect with a safari planner

ENQUIRE TODAY

Namibia in May

Africa's best authentic tailor-made safaris

May is the beginning of the dry season in Namibia. As there is little to no rain, watering holes start drying up. During a Namibia safari at this time of the year, the possibility of seeing wildlife is highly likely (especially in Etosha National Park) as animals stick around limited permanent water sources. Thanks to the rain during the previous months, some landscapes still retain some of their greenery in May. This is the start of peak safari season in Namibia, especially for big game viewing and desert safaris.

Weather in May

Sossusvlei, Namibia
Namibia typically experiences dry weather during this period | Photo: Getty

May typically has dry weather, with temperatures reaching an average 23 °C/73 °F. The environment is usually warm and dry, but early morning and evening game drives can be chilly.

Average Weather in May

Temperature Celsius Fahrenheit Rainfall
Min 9℃48℉0 inches
Max 23℃73℉0.14 inches

National Parks to Visit in Namibia During May

Two lion clubs playing at a waterhole in Etosha National Park, Namibia | Photo: Josh Mitchell via Getty
Wildlife viewing is excellent during the dry season | Photo: Josh Mitchell via Getty

Etosha National Park

Wildlife viewing is excellent in Etosha National Park during May. Home to four of the Big Five, a safari in Etosha can include sightings of elephants and lions, while leopards and rhinos are rare. Other animals that call the park home include giraffes, zebras, springboks, oryxes, hyenas, bat-eared foxes, and warthogs.

Okonjima Private Nature Reserve

Okonjima Private Nature Reserve – rehabilitated farmland that includes stunning walking trails and the AfriCat Carnivore Care Centre – is best visited in the dry winter months from May to October. This is one of the best places to see not only leopards and hyenas but also the endangered pangolin.

Fish River Canyon

Fish River Canyon is an exciting place to visit in the dry season. Bush walks and hikes are best during this time due to the clear skies, sunny days, and temperate conditions. Part of the ǀAi-ǀAis/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, species you could spot here include Hartmann’s mountain zebra, klipspringers, steenboks, kudus, baboons, and common duikers.

Activities to Do in Namibia in May

  • Game drives
  • Walking safaris
  • Desert safaris
  • Hot air balloon safaris

Ready to plan your tailor-made safari?

923 Reviews - 5/5 Stars

Craft your journey with the expertise of our dedicated Africa Safari Experts

Start Planning

What Our Guests Have to Say?

Read recent reviews from travellers who have planned and booked their trips with us

star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Trustpilot review

"We initially felt quite overwhelmed by the number of different tours, lodges and options available when planning an African adventure, so we decided to speak with Discover Africa to help us create a memorable trip. We are so glad we did! Chrizaan took th..."

Leanne & Cassie, Australia18 Aug 2026

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Trustpilot review

"My husband and I started planning our Safari in Sept to go in May. Vihann at Discover Africa was wonderful!! He setup a video call on our timeline to ask what we wanted and actually listened. He came up with a plan that we agreed to and the rest was easy. A..."

April Wilson, United States16 Jun 2026

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Trustpilot review

"Chrizaan was wonderful. She took our requests to heart and created a once in a lifetime trip for us. The transportation was arranged flawlessly and the safaris were breathtaking. We saw so much and did so much but it didn’t feel rushed. I would recommend Ch..."

Jacqueline Berkebile, United States28 May 2026

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"Magic tour, the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen in all my life, I really love this ancestral land: nature, wise animals, and humans with very big heart."

Griselda Woo Gonzalez, Mexico12 Nov 2025

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"I booked a three-day safari through Discover Africa, including flights, and everything went smoothly from start to finish. Communication was clear, timely, and genuinely helpful, making the whole trip easy and worry-free. The safari itself was exceptiona..."

Daniel, Sweden13 Oct 2025

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"Discover Africa planned a fabulous trip for us! The travel planner came up with an itinerary that included everything we wanted; the trip was extremely well organized; the accommodations were lovely; and the activities were fun and interesting. We especiall..."

Kim Bixenstine, United States30 Sep 2025

Read More
View All Testimonials

Our safari traveller reviews are independently verified and sourced from trusted third-party review platforms.