South Africa in May

Dry season starts in Kruger; first Cape rains. Good value.

• Western Cape · Cape Town, Winelands, Hermanus, Cederbergrainy

  Mediterranean: dry, windy summers (the south-easter can close the cableway), wet cold fronts June–August. Whales off Hermanus about June–November.

• Garden Route · Mossel Bay, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikammafine

  Rain in every month, mild temperatures; December school holidays fill every bed.

• Kruger and the Lowveld · Kruger, Sabi Sand, Timbavati, Panorama Routebest weather

  Dry winter May–September is the game-viewing season; summer storms, 35 °C heat and higher malaria risk November–March, but green landscapes and baby animals.

• Highveld · Johannesburg, Pretoriabest weather

  At 1,750 m: afternoon thunderstorms in summer, sunny frosty winters.

• KwaZulu-Natal coast · Durban, iSimangaliso, Hluhluwebest weather

  Warm sea all year; humid summers; winter is the best time for the parks.

• Drakensberg · uKhahlamba-Drakensberg, Golden Gatebest weather

  Summer thunderstorms most afternoons; winter snow on the high peaks.

• Cape Town20° / 10°, 12 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Workers' Day

  1 May

  Public holiday.

Crowds · South Africa

Low

Prices · South Africa

Low

• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

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Rated best or good this month

• Kruger and the Lowveld

  Best weather of the year (Kruger, Sabi Sand, Timbavati, Panorama Route)

• Highveld

  Best weather of the year (Johannesburg, Pretoria)

• KwaZulu-Natal coast

  Best weather of the year (Durban, iSimangaliso, Hluhluwe)

• Drakensberg

  Best weather of the year (uKhahlamba-Drakensberg, Golden Gate)

• Cape Town

  Cooler; quiet, with the first rains.