A tour operator i have been dealing with is telling me that Tanzania at the end of May (May 24-June 7) is not a particularly good time to go, as i might hit rainy/cloudy days, the grass is quite high which i presume hides the animals.
He is comparing this to the same time in Botswana, which he feels will be better viewing.

What are your experiences

thanks for your input

The question has been asked before.
Best safari late May/early June
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...amp;tid=938167

You can see how these folks enjoyed their late May safaris in Tanzania and Botswana. It's lots of clicking.

ALARRYB – TANZANIA MAY 2005
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34752882 (report)
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34752871 (report)
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34752872 (report)
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34752874 (report)
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34752878 (report)
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34752879 (report)
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34752890 (thread with picture link)
http://www.alabama.smugmug.com/ (pictures)




SANDI - TANZANIA & KENYA - MAY/JUNE 2006

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34846716 (report)
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34825845 (photo thread)
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...0&y=f3p09y (photos)

Sandi KENYA & TANZANIA MAY/JUNE 2007

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35080621


LYNDA S. - KENYA, TANZANIA & ZANZIBAR MAY/JUNE 2006

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34822022 (report)
(Photos will follow someday!)

SOLITAIRE11 TANZANIA MAY/JUNE 2006

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34842202 (thread with link to report)

http://sashasolitaire.smugmug.com/So...20Picks/203178 (report and pictures)



LYNDAS KENYA & TANZANIA MAY 07

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35009765 (REPORT)
http://www.pbase.com/lyndas/east_afr...7&page=all (PHOTOS)


RSNYDER TANZANIA MAY/JUNE 07

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35021616 (REPORT)
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...n6eie&Ux=1

All the TZ reports are thanks to Lynda's handy dandy index.

GIRLPOLO33 Botswana (May 2004)
Macatoo Camp (horseback safari) and Little Vumbura and Chitabe
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34504241

WALLYBRENDA South Africa and Botswana (May/June 2005)
Cape Town + Botswana
Lots of photos and details!
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34632411

NAPAMATT Botswana (June 2006)
Mombo, Vumbura Plains, Duma Tau
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34828191
Best safari in late May/early June?
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...amp;tid=938167
Another thread
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35142769

I was in Botswana early thru mid-june 2007. Didn't go to the Okavango that year. Just did two neighboring Linyanti area concessions. Bots had below average rainfall during the summer months and the game viewing was pretty good ...... I had some great sightings.

May and June in TZ are incredible - we went twice (2006 and 2007, see Lynn's links above) at the same time of the year, and only had rain one day in Nairobi (not that that is in TZ, but...) in 2007, and one day in Zanzibar 2006.

The grass was higher in Tarangire, and it is apparently the wrong time of the year for optimal viewing in that park, but that didn't stop the lions, elephants and other such wildlife from posing for us. We even saw bat-earred fox there.

Possibility exists that we will be going back at that exact same time in 2009 (not Tarangire though), I'm working on it as we speak....

I have no experience at all with Botswana though.

Since '05 thru '08 when I've visited end-May/early-June I recall only 3 wet episodes and not in the same visit.

In '05, an amazing thunderstorm one afternoon and that was it while on safari; about 20/min while on Zanzibar.

In '07, had 1/wet day while in the Mara.

In '08, there had been some wet (from the roads) but none actually during safari.

Generally, the daytime temps have been mild in the 70s, some days even in the low-80s; evenings/mornings are always cool. Though can be downright cold on the rim of the crater.

You will find the grasses high in some places, but not everywhere. But for sure you won't miss the ellees, giraffes, buffalo... the big guys. Game is plentiful and you can certainly catch the migration in the Serengeti. Remember, as the animals move thru (zebra, wildebeest, antelope) they're eating the grasses so can be quite low as you move along with them. This time has never hindered good game viewing.

Rain can happen anytime, even during the so-called "dry" seasons. And, if cloudy, at least you're protected from the Equatorial sun. Oh, and the prices are much more attractive in May!

Thank you all for your input, especially Lynn, i will look into several of the reports!!
Well i will be conferencing with my son this weekend, and after that i hope we will determine the WHERE.
So then my questions will change. But this forum is the best, because EVERYONE is so helpful
may you all have a wonderful and Happy Thansgiving

amycyma

got stuck in heavy mud around Ngorongoro during May a couple of years ago, but the safari was fine
(and the prices are rock-bottom)

aby