Weather in May in South Africa
Are you planning a trip a to South Africa in May and wondering what kind of weather to expect? This page has all the details you need.
What is the weather like in South Africa in May?
In May, South Africa experiences a range of weather conditions, with temperatures that range from mild to warm and precipitation levels ranging from low to moderate.
Temperatures
The average maximum daytime temperatures vary from mild in Rhodes at 16°C to warm in Kruger National Park at 29°C. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 16°C in Kruger National Park and 3°C in Rhodes.To explore the conditions in South Africa in more detail, check the map below.
Precipitation
In May, precipitation varies across different areas. From low rainfall in Kotzeshoop with an average of 5 mm to moderate rainfall in Paarl with 99 mm.Average sunshine
Meanwhile, Cape Town enjoys close to 205 hours of sunlight. This means it's a great month if you prefer bright and sunny days.For a more detailed look at South Africa's conditions throughout the year, check out our South Africa climate page.
Where to go in South Africa in May
perfect weather
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Select a Month of Interest
Check the conditions for any month of the year.
For a detailed overview over the year and the best time to visit South Africa, check out our South Africa's climate page.
Popular destinations
What is the weather like in May for the 5 most popular destinations in South Africa?
Cape Town
In May Cape Town generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 20°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 12°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.
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Johannesburg
In May Johannesburg generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 22°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C and low monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.
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Durban
In May Durban generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 25°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 17°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.
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Knysna
In May Knysna generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 20°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 13°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.
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Stellenbosch
In May Stellenbosch generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 20°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 10°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.
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Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at other destinations in South Africa.
Is May the best time to visit South Africa?
We believe that May is one of the best times to visit South Africa with overall perfect weather in Cape Town. However, the weather conditions may vary depending on your destination.
On average, the best time to visit South Africa is in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December with generally perfect weather in Cape Town. The weather in July, on the other hand, tends to be unpleasant.
Interested in more climate information?
We have much more information about the climate in South Africa.
Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to South Africa? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in South Africa.
Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.