When to go · Eswatini
Eswatini in May
Great month. Dry, clear and mild; Bushfire festival has been held in late May (check).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Crowds
- Low
- Eswatini
- Prices
- Medium
- Eswatini
Verdict
Dry, clear and mild; Bushfire festival has been held in late May (check).
Is another month better than May?
No other month rates higher than May for Eswatini in this guide.
Weather in May
- Highveld · Mbabane, Malolotja, Piggs Peakbest weather
Misty, cool and green; summer storms and fog on the MR1; frosty winter nights.
- Middleveld · Ezulwini Valley, Lobamba, Manzini, Malkernsbest weather
Mild all year; most lodges, crafts and ceremonies are here.
- Lowveld · Hlane, Mkhaya, Mbuluzi, Big Bendbest weather
Hot and humid Nov–Mar with some malaria risk; winter dry season concentrates game at waterholes.
- Lubombo plateau · Shewula, Mlawula, Sitekibest weather
Border ridge with Mozambique; warm and dry in winter.
- Mbabane21 °C (70 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 3 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 3 rain days
- Lobamba23 °C (73 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 2 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 2 rain days
- Manzini24 °C (75 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 5 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 5 rain days
Festivals and holidays
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.
Ascension Day
May (moves)
Public holiday.
Bushfire festival check
May or Jun, varies · Mbabane
A large arts and music festival; accommodation fills.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Eswatini
- Low
- Prices · Eswatini
- Medium
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Eswatini, side by side.
Verdict
May: Great
Apr: Great
Crowds
May: Low
Apr: Medium
Prices
May: Medium
Apr: Medium
Festivals listed
May: 3
Apr: 4
May: Dry, clear and mild; Bushfire festival has been held in late May (check).
April: Autumn clarity; Easter queues at borders; 19 April King's birthday.
Eswatini: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
Nothing unusual for the weather this month.
Where to go in May
Rated best or good this month
Highveld
Best weather of the year (Mbabane, Malolotja, Piggs Peak)
Middleveld
Best weather of the year (Ezulwini Valley, Lobamba, Manzini, Malkerns)
Lowveld
Best weather of the year (Hlane, Mkhaya, Mbuluzi, Big Bend)
Lubombo plateau
Best weather of the year (Shewula, Mlawula, Siteki)
Dry and mild; good hiking.
Best months: Apr–Oct
Best months: Apr–Oct