When To Go To South Africa

South Africa is a year-round destination, and the best time to visit depends on your priorities.

The best time to go on safari is in the winter months (May to August). The bush is at its thinnest, so game viewing is easier, and the temperatures are mild (maximum 20 to 23°C). There's very little winter rainfall in the north.

For ocean fans, the best time to travel to South Africa is in Winter/Spring. These cooler months are also when the whales visit South Africa's shores. Many whales come to mate and calve in Walker Bay of the Whale Coast & Overberg between May and November every year.

Namaqualand, in the Northern Cape province, becomes a floral phenomenon in spring (mid-August to mid-October), when the desert-like terrain is transformed into a carpet of flowers, drawing thousands of visitors.

The flower season starts and ends depending on the year so make sure you check before deciding when to travel to South Africa for a flower holiday.

Most people want to know when to visit South Africa for a beach holiday? The best season for the beach is summer (November to mid-March).

The southern regions of South Africa (Cape Town, Garden Route) are summer destinations, with low summer rainfall. Temperatures reach 28-30°C or higher on truly beautiful days. The warm waters of the east coast (KwaZulu Natal, Eastern Cape) make for almost year-round swimming.

South Africans tend to take their annual holidays in summer, causing tourist destinations to be crowded from mid-December to late January, as well as during the other school holidays (check these dates with one of our travel experts before deciding when to go to South Africa).

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