South Africa in May

What to expect in South Africa in May

May brings mild weather to South Africa, with daytime highs around 20°C (68°F) and overnight lows near 9°C (48°F). Skies are typically dry with occasional showers, with about 70 mm of rainfall on average. Safari dry season begins.

May is a quiet stretch — most attractions are easy to access and you'll often have spaces to yourself. It's one of the best-value windows of the year for both flights and hotels. Peak season runs December–January (domestic), June–September (safari), for context.

What’s happening in May

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  AfrikaBurn · Apr–MaySouth Africa’s Burning Man-style art event in the Karoo desert.

South Africa in other months

Where else is good to go in May