When is the Best Time to Visit South Africa?
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 |
| Destination | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cape Town |
26°C
28mm |
26°C
28mm |
25°C
35mm |
23°C
83mm |
20°C
134mm |
18°C
153mm |
17°C
143mm |
17°C
134mm |
19°C
81mm |
21°C
61mm |
23°C
37mm |
24°C
33mm |
|
Durban |
28°C
124mm |
28°C
113mm |
28°C
125mm |
26°C
71mm |
24°C
56mm |
23°C
30mm |
22°C
31mm |
23°C
46mm |
24°C
64mm |
24°C
95mm |
25°C
110mm |
27°C
110mm |
|
Johannesburg |
26°C
138mm |
25°C
107mm |
25°C
91mm |
22°C
61mm |
20°C
21mm |
17°C
9mm |
17°C
7mm |
20°C
8mm |
23°C
27mm |
25°C
74mm |
25°C
118mm |
25°C
123mm |
|
Knysna |
24°C
69mm |
25°C
61mm |
23°C
71mm |
22°C
75mm |
20°C
72mm |
19°C
64mm |
18°C
65mm |
19°C
87mm |
19°C
75mm |
20°C
85mm |
22°C
72mm |
24°C
64mm |
|
Kruger National Park |
33°C
103mm |
32°C
106mm |
31°C
67mm |
29°C
35mm |
27°C
15mm |
25°C
11mm |
24°C
10mm |
26°C
8mm |
29°C
21mm |
30°C
33mm |
30°C
77mm |
32°C
92mm |
|
Plettenberg Bay |
24°C
73mm |
25°C
66mm |
23°C
74mm |
22°C
77mm |
20°C
75mm |
19°C
68mm |
19°C
69mm |
19°C
97mm |
19°C
79mm |
20°C
90mm |
22°C
77mm |
24°C
66mm |
|
Cape Winelands |
28°C
17mm |
28°C
27mm |
26°C
28mm |
23°C
74mm |
20°C
118mm |
18°C
128mm |
17°C
112mm |
17°C
114mm |
19°C
62mm |
22°C
54mm |
25°C
35mm |
26°C
20mm |
|
KwaZulu Natal |
24°C
175mm |
23°C
152mm |
22°C
124mm |
19°C
51mm |
17°C
21mm |
15°C
11mm |
15°C
12mm |
17°C
29mm |
20°C
50mm |
21°C
90mm |
21°C
123mm |
23°C
156mm |
|
The Kalahari |
33°C
47mm |
32°C
55mm |
29°C
63mm |
26°C
30mm |
22°C
14mm |
19°C
5mm |
19°C
2mm |
22°C
4mm |
26°C
7mm |
29°C
16mm |
31°C
30mm |
32°C
38mm |
| Summer | ||||||||||||
| Autumn/Fall | ||||||||||||
| Winter | ||||||||||||
| Spring | ||||||||||||
| Best Time for Safari | ||||||||||||
| Best Time for Beach Vacations |
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Month-by-Month Guide for Travelling to South Africa:
Visiting South Africa from January to March
January is one of the best times to visit South Africa. It’s ideal for beach holidays anywhere along the South African coast, although the Kwa-Zulu Natal coast can be rather hot and humid. Game viewing in the Kruger Park and other reserves can be slightly challenging, as animals are dispersed away from water sources and thick vegetation can reduce visibility. However, the lush and green conditions of the bush during the low season are less crowded, with lots of baby animals around and the best light of the year for photography.
February is one of the hottest months in the country, particularly in Cape Town – but coastal towns are usually cooled down by welcome sea breezes. It’s the best time to visit South Africa if you want to avoid the festive crowds, but it’s still a busy month and can get booked up well in advance. Read more about our tips for travelling to South Africa.
March is the last month of summer. It’s still considered a good time for beach holidays with different regions offering varied climates. Game viewing in the Kruger Park and other reserves offers easier wildlife spotting as the lush summer vegetation starts to clear.
Travelling to South Africa from April to June
April starts off as a busy month, but after the Easter break it quietens down. The weather remains warm and dry throughout most of the country, which means you can combine some great destinations. This is the best time to visit South Africa if you would prefer to avoid the heat of the summer.
By the month of May, autumn is slowly turning to winter, however there is still a good deal of sunshine even during the colder months. May is the perfect time for beach holidays on the Indian Ocean coastline of Kwa-Zulu Natal. Conditions on the coast of the Eastern and Western Cape are less predictable.
If you want to see whales along South Africa’s coast, whale season kicks off in June and this is the best time to visit South Africa to see these majestic marine mammals, particularly in the seaside town of Hermanus in the Western Cape. It’s not too cold during the day, especially in this region but it’s not unusual to see snow on the surrounding mountains. Game viewing in the Kruger Park and other reserves is excellent in June because it’s the dry season and animals congregate close to perennial water sources.
Visiting South Africa from July to September
July is another great month for whale watching. Southern right whales can be spotted along South Africa’s Whale Coast after their long journey from the Arctic, to give birth to their young in the warmer waters. This is also when to go to South Africa for a safari in the Kruger – game viewing is superb, daytime temperatures are moderate, and the risk of malaria is very low.
August is usually the month when flowers begin to bloom across the Western Cape and the Northern Cape regions. Travelling up the West Coast to see the wildflowers is a popular pastime, witnessing the landscape bloom into a tapestry of bright colours after the last drops of winter rain. It can be very cold in Gauteng before spring really begins, while the Cape can also be cool. The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway may be closed for maintenance at this time, so it’s best to check beforehand to avoid disappointment.
September marks the official end of the winter months and is the best time to visit South Africa for a safari in Spring at one of the many game parks across the country. Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape, Phinda Game Reserve in Kwa-Zulu Natal, and the Kruger all offer some of the best game viewing on the continent.
Travelling to South Africa from October to December
October is a vibrant month as the landscape is lush and ready for the summer months. Temperatures start to heat up throughout the country, and the afternoon and evening summer rains in the north of the country are on the horizon. This is the best time to visit South Africa for a coastal trip, combined with an inland game drive before the peak season begins.
In November the rains begin in northern KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, while visitors to the Western Cape can experience the last month of whale season before they begin their long journey back to the Arctic. This is the best time to visit South Africa and explore inland areas such as the Karoo or the Free State.
December is a busy month across South Africa, especially along the coast. It’s a good idea to book restaurants and excursions well in advance during the festive period.
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