Kruger National Park · Month comparison

April vs May

May ranks #1 overall vs April at #5. Dry season begins — clear skies, vegetation thinning fast, mornings cool 11C, perfect game viewing window opens.

April Kruger drying bush at sunset with elephants at waterhole

April

#5 of 12 months

Best match

Excellent shoulder — bush drying, days 28C/16C, game viewing rapidly improving, Easter holidays push school crowds in.

  • ↑Vegetation falling back fast — first 5km waterhole sightings of dry season
  • ↑Cooler 28C days, comfortable 16C nights for camping at Lower Sabie or Olifants
May Kruger dry plains with leopard on rock and sparse trees

May

#1 of 12 months

Best match

Dry season begins — clear skies, vegetation thinning fast, mornings cool 11C, perfect game viewing window opens.

  • ↑Vegetation thin enough for excellent visibility — game congregating at remaining water
  • ↑Crisp dry air, 9 hours sunshine, golden-hour light photography ideal
FactorAprilMay
Weather score
8
9
Value score
6
5
Crowd score
5
5
Events score
5
5
Atmosphere
8
9
Avg high temp28°C26°C
Monthly rain30mm12mm
Daily sunshine9hrs9hrs

April trade-offs

  • ↓Easter and school-break weeks (early April) packed in public camps
  • ↓Some malaria risk lingering
  • ↓Last of summer thunderstorms in first half of month

May trade-offs

  • ↓Early dawn drives at 6C — fleece and gloves needed in open vehicles
  • ↓School holiday week (early May) brings short bump
  • ↓Lodge rates starting to climb week by week
See all 12 months for Kruger National Park →April in detail →May in detail →
Scores compare months within Kruger National Park. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →