When to go · Mafia Island
Mafia Island in May
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Mar–May (long rains, rough seas, some lodges close).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C) / 21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 14
- Crowds
- Low
- Tanzania overall
- Prices
- Low
- Tanzania overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Mar–May (long rains, rough seas, some lodges close).
Is another month better than May?
May is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- JuneGreatInside Mafia Island's best window: Jun–Oct (dry, calm) and Dec–Feb (hot, clear water).
- JulyGreatInside Mafia Island's best window: Jun–Oct (dry, calm) and Dec–Feb (hot, clear water).
- AugustGreatInside Mafia Island's best window: Jun–Oct (dry, calm) and Dec–Feb (hot, clear water).
- SeptemberGreatInside Mafia Island's best window: Jun–Oct (dry, calm) and Dec–Feb (hot, clear water).
Weather in May
- Mafia IslandHighs around 27 °C (81 °F), lows around 21 °C (70 °F), rain on about 14 daysHighs around 81 °F (27 °C), lows around 70 °F (21 °C), rain on about 14 days
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Tanzania overall
- Low
- Prices · Tanzania overall
- Low
Tanzania overall: Rains ease; herds move through the central and western Serengeti; green-season rates.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Mafia Island, side by side.
Verdict
May: Avoid
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 27 °C (81 °F)81 °F (27 °C)
Jan: 31 °C (88 °F)88 °F (31 °C)
Night low
May: 21 °C (70 °F)70 °F (21 °C)
Jan: 24 °C (75 °F)75 °F (24 °C)
Rain days
May: 14
Jan: 6 (better)
Crowds
May: Low
Jan: Medium
Prices
May: Low
Jan: Medium
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jan: 0
May: Listed as a month to avoid: Mar–May (long rains, rough seas, some lodges close).
January: Inside Mafia Island's best window: Jun–Oct (dry, calm) and Dec–Feb (hot, clear water).
Mafia Island: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast