# Where to Travel in May URL: https://emptvl.vercel.app/where-to-go/may Publisher: Empyrean Travel (https://emptvl.vercel.app/) Last reviewed: 2026-10-19 Where to travel in May: French Polynesia’s dry season, the start of safari season in Kruger and Botswana, and the Mediterranean before the crowds. When to book. **Quick answer:** May starts the best season for two of our specialties. French Polynesia enters its dry season, often with better availability than July and August, and Southern Africa’s dry season begins in the Greater Kruger and Botswana. Santorini and the Amalfi Coast are warm before peak crowds, and Bali’s dry season is underway. - Top beach pick: Bora Bora (dry season begins) - Top safari pick: Kruger & Sabi Sand (dry season begins) - Top city pick: London (late spring) - Best for corporate travel: Schedule Japan after Golden Week (ends May 5) - Book by: French Polynesia 6–9 months ahead ## Why is May good for French Polynesia and Southern Africa? May marks the switch to French Polynesia’s dry season, which typically runs through October. Humidity drops, trade winds keep things comfortable, and the lagoons of Bora Bora and Moorea are at their clearest. Because it’s before the July–August rush, May often has better overwater-bungalow availability. See our guide to the best time to visit French Polynesia. In Southern Africa, the rains have ended and the bush starts to thin, making game easier to spot in the Greater Kruger and Botswana. Some lodges still charge shoulder-season rates in May before peak pricing begins. ## What should you avoid in May? May is a forgiving month, with a few exceptions. - Golden Week in Japan (typically April 29 to May 5): plan Japan for mid-to-late May instead. - Maldives and Phuket: the southwest monsoon typically arrives in May, bringing more rain and rougher seas. - Dubai and Egypt: daytime heat makes sightseeing hard from May onward. - East Africa: the long rains often linger into May, and some camps stay closed until June. - Memorial Day weekend (last Monday in May) crowds U.S. airports and resorts. ## What should business travelers know about May? The Cannes Film Festival typically runs in mid-May and fills the French Riviera, which matters for entertainment and production travel. In Asia, Computex typically brings the tech hardware industry to Taipei in late May or early June. Japanese offices largely close for Golden Week, so plan Tokyo meetings from the second week of May. May is also popular for offsites in Europe before summer pricing; our guide to planning an international offsite covers the details. ## How far ahead should you book May travel? For French Polynesia, 6–9 months ahead gives you the widest choice of overwater bungalows, especially on Bora Bora. Southern Africa lodges in May are often bookable 4–6 months out, though small camps in Botswana fill earlier. For Santorini and the Amalfi Coast, book 4–6 months ahead for the best rooms. ## Best places to travel in May - **Bora Bora** (French Polynesia · Dry season begins): Clear lagoons, lower humidity, and often better bungalow availability than the July–August peak. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/french-polynesia/bora-bora - **Kruger & Sabi Sand** (South Africa · Start of dry season): Thinning bush makes leopards and the Big Five easier to spot from open vehicles in private reserves. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/kruger-and-sabi-sand - **Okavango Delta** (Botswana · Flood season building): The annual floodwaters typically spread through the Delta by mid-year, opening the best stretch for mokoro trips. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/botswana - **Santorini** (Greece · Warm, before peak crowds): Caldera sunsets and open seasonal restaurants without July’s crowds. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/destinations/jtr - **Amalfi Coast** (Italy · Late spring): Lemon groves, boat days, and cliffside hotels in full swing at shoulder-season pace. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/destinations/nap - **Bali** (Indonesia · Dry season): The dry season typically runs from about April to October, good for beaches, rice terraces, and temples. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/destinations/world/denpasar-bali - **London** (UK · Late spring): Long days, gardens in bloom, and the Chelsea Flower Show, typically in late May. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/destinations/lhr - **Kyoto** (Japan · After Golden Week): Mid-to-late May is green, mild, and quieter than blossom season, before the June rains. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/destinations/kix ## Frequently asked questions **Q: Is May a good time to visit Bora Bora?** A: Yes. May is the start of French Polynesia’s dry season, which typically runs to October, so you get lower humidity and less rain than in the summer months. It’s also before the July–August peak, which often means better overwater-bungalow availability. The water is warm year-round, and the trade winds keep evenings comfortable. **Q: Is May a good time for a safari?** A: In Southern Africa, yes. May is the start of the dry season in South Africa’s Kruger area and Botswana, with thinning bush and often shoulder-season rates. In East Africa, the long rains typically linger into May, so many Kenya and Tanzania camps open fully from June. If your dates are fixed in May, South Africa or Botswana is the stronger choice. **Q: Is Japan crowded in May?** A: Japan is very crowded during Golden Week, a cluster of public holidays that typically runs April 29 to May 5. After that, May is one of Japan’s most pleasant months: mild, green, and calmer than cherry-blossom season. Aim for mid-to-late May to miss both the Golden Week crowds and the rainy season, which typically starts in June. **Q: Is May too early for the Mediterranean?** A: Not at all. Late May is one of the best times for Santorini and the Amalfi Coast, with warm days, seasonal hotels and restaurants open, and fewer crowds and lower rates than July and August. The sea is still cool for some swimmers, so if water temperature is your priority, June through September is warmer. ## Sources - [Tahiti Tourisme](https://tahititourisme.com/en-us/) - [South African Tourism](https://www.southafrica.net/)