Kruger National Park · Month comparison

March vs May

May ranks #1 overall vs March at #9. Dry season begins — clear skies, vegetation thinning fast, mornings cool 11C, perfect game viewing window opens.

March Kruger bush starting to dry with giraffe browsing acacia

March

#9 of 12 months

Strong option

Transition month — rains thinning, days still warm, bush starting to dry, prices still off-peak.

  • ↑Vegetation starts drying back — game spotting improving week by week
  • ↑Easter holiday weekend brings short crowd spike, otherwise quiet
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
FactorMarchMay
Weather score
6
9
Value score
7
5
Crowd score
6
5
Events score
4
5
Atmosphere
7
9
Avg high temp30°C26°C
Monthly rain60mm12mm
Daily sunshine8hrs9hrs

March trade-offs

  • ↓Still warm and humid — midday game inactive
  • ↓Malaria risk still elevated
  • ↓Some thunderstorm activity continues into early April

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 →March in detail →May in detail →
Scores compare months within Kruger National Park. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →