Volcanoes NP in May

In May, Volcanoes NP averages 14°C (57°F) during the day and 8°C (46°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 22 days of the month see precipitation (134 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Expect daily rain or showers, often in heavy bursts.

May is one of the wetter and less comfortable months in Volcanoes NP. If your dates are flexible, consider a different time of year.

14°C
Avg high
8°C
Avg low
22
Rain days
134 mm
Rainfall

How May compares to the rest of the year in Volcanoes NP

10th
warmest month of the 12
8th
wettest month of the 12
6%
of yearly rainfall falls in May
12 h 3 min
daylight on the 15th

May is one of the coolest months in Volcanoes NP (10th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (8th of 12). Daytime temperature matches the city's annual average. May runs roughly the same as April (14°C) and stays flat into June.

May sunrise & sunset in Volcanoes NP

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
5:56 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:59 PM
Day length
12 h 3 min

Times shown for Volcanoes NP local time (Africa/Kigali), calculated for the 15th of May. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Volcanoes NP — May

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of May, in Volcanoes NP's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
4:56 AM – 5:36 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
5:36 AM – 6:36 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:19 PM – 6:19 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:19 PM – 6:59 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Good
Galactic core is up but lower on the horizon; head well outside city limits for a clean view.

📅 When to book — Volcanoes NP in May

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on May's tier (Shoulder) and Volcanoes NP's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.

Crowds & pricing — May in Volcanoes NP

Shoulder

Volcanoes NP is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Sun & mosquito risk — May in Volcanoes NP

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
11.9
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●○○○
Low
Mosquitoes present but manageable. Pack repellent (DEET 10-20%) for evenings near water.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Volcanoes NP in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 14°C / 58°F 7°C / 44°F 141 mm 22
February 15°C / 58°F 7°C / 45°F 159 mm 21
March 15°C / 58°F 8°C / 46°F 247 mm 28
April 14°C / 57°F 8°C / 46°F 291 mm 28
May 14°C / 57°F 8°C / 46°F 134 mm 22
June 13°C / 56°F 7°C / 44°F 118 mm 13
July 14°C / 57°F 7°C / 44°F 46 mm 9
August 14°C / 58°F 7°C / 45°F 100 mm 15
September 14°C / 58°F 8°C / 46°F 168 mm 23
October 14°C / 58°F 8°C / 46°F 240 mm 26
November 14°C / 57°F 7°C / 45°F 276 mm 28
December 14°C / 57°F 7°C / 44°F 319 mm 27

Other cities with similar May weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Volcanoes NP in May →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Volcanoes NP in May?

In May, Volcanoes NP averages a high of 14°C (57°F) and a low of 8°C (46°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Volcanoes NP in May?

May is quite rainy in Volcanoes NP, with about 22 rainy days on average.

Is May a good time to visit Volcanoes NP?

May is cool but on the rainy side. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cool weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Volcanoes NP in May?

Pack a warm jacket and layers, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full May packing list for Volcanoes NP for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Volcanoes NP on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.