Travel ideas · Best places to visit in Africa in May
Best places to visit in Africa in May
Where to go in Africa in May: destinations at their best that month.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Boris Macek, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Top picks for May: Marrakech, Johannesburg and Casablanca. Marrakech averages 29°C (84°F); Johannesburg averages 19°C (66°F); Casablanca averages 22°C (72°F). All 5 destinations below list May among their best months or have reliably pleasant weather then.
Key facts
- Destinations
- 5
- Warmest
- Marrakech (29°C (84°F))
- Driest
- Marrakech (2 rainy days)
Africa
Morocco · 29°C (84°F) · 2 rainy days
Marrakech
Souks, riad courtyards and the High Atlas on the horizon. Hot by midday but pleasant in the mornings and evenings; a good month for the mountains and the coast.
South Africa · 19°C (66°F) · 2 rainy days
Johannesburg
Apartheid history, Soweto, gallery districts and the road to Kruger. Dry and sunny, with cold nights starting; a good month for Pilanesberg and Kruger as vegetation thins.
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Morocco · 22°C (72°F) · 3 rainy days
Casablanca
An Atlantic seafront mosque, Art Deco boulevards and Morocco's modern pulse. Mild, mostly dry and comfortable; good for combining the city with day trips.
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Mauritius · 27°C (81°F) · 9 rainy days
Mauritius
Reef-sheltered lagoons, volcanic peaks, dholl puri and Creole, Indian and French culture. Pleasant, sunny and less humid; one of the best months for good weather with moderate prices.
Morocco · 26°C (79°F) · 5 rainy days
Fes
A car-free medieval medina of madrasas, tanneries and craft souqs. Warm, sunny and mostly dry; ideal for exploring the medina and day trips.
Beach, city or budget: May picks by trip type
| Trip type | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Beach trips | Mauritius |
| City breaks | Marrakech, Johannesburg, Fes |
| Lower-cost trips | Marrakech, Johannesburg, Casablanca, Fes |
What's on in May
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- Fes: Fes Festival of World Sacred Music (usually late May or June)
Daylight in May
Day length on these trips ranges from about 10.8 hours in Johannesburg to 13.9 hours in Casablanca (sunrise to sunset on 15 May). Longer days mean more sightseeing time; shorter ones favour museums, food and evenings.
May weather compared
| Destination | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marrakech | 29°C (84°F) | 15°C (59°F) | 2 | 4/5 |
| Johannesburg | 19°C (66°F) | 6°C (43°F) | 2 | 2/5 |
| Casablanca | 22°C (72°F) | 15°C (59°F) | 3 | 3/5 |
| Mauritius | 27°C (81°F) | 19°C (66°F) | 9 | 3/5 |
| Fes | 26°C (79°F) | 12°C (54°F) | 5 | 4/5 |
Questions travellers ask
+Where is good to travel in May?
Marrakech, Johannesburg, Casablanca, Mauritius and Fes are all at or near their best in May.