The best time to go to South Africa for a safari is from May to October. These months are superb for game viewing in Kruger, Madikwe, Pilanesberg and KwaZulu-Natal as the animals are concentrated around water sources and are easier to spot in the dry season’s thinned-out vegetation.
South Africa is a large and diverse country with a climate that varies from region to region. Generally, the summer lasts from about December to March before winter takes over from June to August. Cape Town and the Western Cape experience winter rainfall and a largely dry, hot summer. Most of the rest of the country, including the Kruger Park area, have summer thundershowers and a dry winter, while the Garden Route and Eastern Cape can experience rain at any time of year.
For a Cape Town beach holiday, you simply can’t beat the hot summer months between November and March - it is arguably the best place to visit in South Africa. The KwaZulu-Natal coast has year-round sunshine, a beautifully mild winter and warm ocean temperatures – so any time is a good time to go. If you want to see whales along South Africa’s Whale Coast, then visit between June and November – numbers are usually at their highest in September.
Summer | Winter | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Months | December to March | June to August | |||
Average Temperatures | 25°C / 77°F | 17°C / 63°F | |||
Rainfall | Short and sharp thunderstorms around Johannesburg, Kruger and KwaZulu-Natal | Mostly in Cape Town and the Western Cape | |||
Highlights | Beach holidays in Cape Town, Garden Route and Eastern Cape | Game viewing in Kruger, Madikwe, Pilanesberg and KwaZulu-Natal |
Choosing the best time to visit South Africa depends entirely on what you want to see and do:
Experience | Best Time | ||
---|---|---|---|
South Africa safari | May to October | ||
Cape Town beach holiday | November to March | ||
Cape Winelands tours | All year round | ||
Garden Route holiday | All year round | ||
Whale watching | July to November |
South Africa Safari: High vs Low Season
High or Peak Season | Low or Green Season | ||
---|---|---|---|
About June to August | About November to April | ||
Highest rates | Lowest rates | ||
Need to book well in advance | No need to book too far in advance | ||
Cool and dry weather | Hot and occasionally wet weather | ||
Animals are easy to spot | Animals are not as easy to spot | ||
Not many baby animals around | Lots of baby animals around | ||
Most crowded | Least crowded | ||
Great photography conditions | Beautiful lush and green landscapes with the best light of the year for photography |