May is late autumn going into winter in South Africa, with moderate to warm temperatures, and very little rain. This time of year is great for visiting Kalahari, Kruger National Park, Drakensberg, and Cape Town. Read on to find out more about travel and weather, including temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and tips for May.
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South Africa Weather in May: Overview
Averages:
- Temperature range: 8–22°C (46–72°F)
- Rainfall: 3 cm (1 inch)
- Rainy days: 6
- Sunshine hours/day: 8
- Sea temperature: 15°C (59°F)
- Humidity: 56–81% (dry in Johannesburg to much more humid in Cape Town)
May is when South Africa goes from autumn into winter, with temperatures cooling throughout the country to mild/warm. The days still see approximately 8 hours per day of sunshine, and temperatures are higher than what you would see in autumn/winter throughout most of Europe or North America, making it a great time to visit still.
South Africa's rainfall in May is very low, with an average of 3 cm (1 inch) falling in the month, and 6 rainy days (mostly in Cape Town). Cape Town is a humid city in May, but rainfall is still low, with the rest of South Africa being mostly dry during this time of the year.
May Climate Comparison (Averages) for South Africa's Top Tourism Areas
| City/Area | Temp. | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Town (beaches, wineries, whale watching) | Mild | Low |
| Johannesburg (largest city, travel hub) | Mild | Arid |
| Kruger National Park (top safari area) | Hot | Arid |
| Kalahari (northern desert trips) | Warm | Arid |
| Drakensberg Mountains (hiking, near Battlefields) | Mild | Low |
| City/Area | Daily High | Daily Low |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Town (beaches, wineries, whale watching) | 20ºC (68ºF) | 9ºC (48ºF) |
| Johannesburg (largest city, travel hub) | 19ºC (66ºF) | 7ºC (45ºF) |
| Kruger National Park (top safari area) | 28ºC (82ºF) | 10ºC (50ºF) |
| Kalahari (northern desert trips) | 26ºC (79ºF) | 9ºC (48ºF) |
| Drakensberg Mountains (hiking, near Battlefields) | 19ºC (66ºF) | 5ºC (41ºF) |
| City/Area | Rain (cm) | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Town (beaches, wineries, whale watching) | 7 | 3 |
| Johannesburg (largest city, travel hub) | 1 | 0 |
| Kruger National Park (top safari area) | 1 | 0 |
| Kalahari (northern desert trips) | 1 | 0 |
| Drakensberg Mountains (hiking, near Battlefields) | 4 | 2 |
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Ying was our guide in Bangkok. She was very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. She knew exactly how to move us through crowds quickly so that we could see all we wanted to say and made good recommendations for other things we were interested in. I would not hesitate to recommend Ying or anyone that helped us at Asia highlights More
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The Best Places to Visit in South Africa in May
For visitors to South Africa in May, there are plenty of options of where to visit. Given that the weather is mild to warm and it's mostly dry throughout the country, you really can't go wrong. Below is more information about activities in and visits to Kalahari, Kruger National Park, Drakensberg, as well as Cape Town.
1. Hike around the Drakensberg Mountains
The Drakensberg Mountains are a great place to visit in South Africa in May, when the rainfall is less than around Drakensberg's wetter seasons (October through to April), and temperatures are mild.
There are plenty of different types of hikes in the area, depending on whether you are looking for challenging-terrain treks or just looking for a relaxing escape in nature, you can choose between a day-long hike, one that lasts a few hours, or an overnight trek.
Take your pick from the Sani Pass, the Maloti-Drakensberg Park, or the Drakensberg Canopy Tour, which gives incredible views from above the trees, and finish your walks at the local brewery or with a hot air balloon ride.
2. Adventure in Cape Town, or Enjoy a Museum
Cape Town is one of South Africa's most lively cities, with plenty of activities for every type of traveler. Want to climb Table Mountain? Check out our piece on visiting South Africa in April for more information. Prefer to visit museums? Check out our piece on visiting South Africa in March.
Cape Town also has a great food and drink scene, keeping foodies occupied with its varied range of restaurants and bars that open until late in the evenings.
3. Experience South Africa's Kalahari Desert
Did you know that South Africa is also home to a huge, red desert? You can visit the Kalahari Desert, which spreads through Botswana and Namibia as well. The climate there is subtropical and semi-arid, and there are two seasons: a hot, "wet" season (October–April still has low rainfall) and a cool, dry season — which begins in May.
Different types of vegetation grow in Kalahari as well as fruit! To learn more about this interesting natural landscape — home of the highly-adapted Bushmen people, we recommend visiting between May and July when the weather is less oppressive. You can go on a hiking tour of the area, or it is also possible to go on a desert safari to see elephants and specialized black-maned lions. At night, camp in the desert to enjoy a beautiful sky full of stars like you will not have experienced at home.
4. Go on a Safari in Kruger National Park
No visit to South Africa is complete without going on a safari and seeing the wildlife, and Kruger National Park is the perfect place to do it. There you'll be able to see some incredible animals including elephants, rhinos, lions, giraffe, hippos, and more. There are also lots of beautiful plants and trees endemic to the region.
While in Kruger National Park you can either go for a game drive, go on a bike safari route, or experience a walking safari. The park is huge, and if you need help navigating and booking your safari, let us know and our experts can help you plan your trip to make sure you don't miss out on seeing your favorite animals.
Low Season: Quieter and Less Expensive
May falls outside of South Africa's peak tourist season. This makes it a great time of the year to visit South Africa, as you can expect fewer crowds at the big tourist destinations and in the safari parks, with likely lower prices for accommodation and travel.
Every year on May 1, Workers Day is celebrated to remember workers' rights and as a reminder of the role of trade unions and labor organizations in the fight against apartheid. This is a public holiday in the country, meaning that some smaller businesses might be closed. The main tourist attractions do generally stay open on this day.
What to Wear in May
May is a little cooler throughout South Africa than preceding months, and we recommend packing a few layers to make sure you don't get cold in the mornings or in the evenings. Depending on where you are planning to go, you can likely still wear summer clothing during the day, but bring a jumper or sweater just in case!
Visitors that want to go hiking are recommended to bring their own hiking gear, supportive footwear, and anything else that you might need while you are out and about in nature.
If you are planning on visiting Kalahari Desert, we do recommend bringing a coat for the evenings as the temperatures can really drop after sunset and not all of the lodges will have heating.
We also recommend sunscreen throughout the day no matter where you are going, to protect against South Africa's bright, sunny days. Sunglasses will also come in handy!
Monthly Weather in South Africa
Contact Global Highlights to Plan Your South Africa Tour
South Africa is a great place to visit in May, as well as throughout the year. If you are thinking about it, and need a little help putting together your ideal itinerary, reach out to Global Highlights. Our experts can help put together a bespoke trip for you and your family.
You can find more information here about planning a trip to South Africa.
Contact us and let us know what you would like to see, how long you'd like to visit for, and what your requirements and needs are, and our team can get to work making your travel dreams come true. Contact us to begin a tour inquiry.
For more information about the weather and when to visit South Africa, we also recommend reading Best and Worst Times to Visit South Africa.
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