When to Visit South Africa

South Africa’s summer runs between December and February. It is a great time visit Cape Town, explore the Cape Winelands and drive the Garden Route where the weather is warm and long, sunny days can be expected. It is however the busiest time of year, especially Christmas, so it is advised to book far in advance. The rest of the country however, experiences its highest rainfall especially in Durban and the Battlefields in KwaZulu-Natal. Kruger also has its rainy season during the summer months and whilst this results in the bush looking beautifully lush and green, wildlife viewing tends to be more difficult as the vegetation is dense making game slightly harder to spot. It is however a great time for birding.

March marks the end of the rainy season in the northern parts of South Africa. The temperatures begin to slightly drop in the Kruger with average temperatures of 29°C, and as you reach the end of the autumn the foliage starts to brown, and the bush becomes sparser making wildlife viewing easier. March is a wonderful time to visit Cape Town as it is less busy and expensive than the summer months. The sun is still shining making it ideal to visit the penguins of Boulders Beach, hike to the top of Table Mountain and swim in the clear waters of Camps Bay. As you enter shoulder season in the Western Cape better deals and availability can be found. May is also great month for travel in KwaZulu-Natal.

South Africa’s winter season runs between June and August and whilst it is dry throughout most of the country it is the Western Cape’s wettest and coolest period, making it Cape Town's low season. July and August however, are great months to visit KwaZulu-Natal as the weather is ideal for hiking the Drakensburg and exploring the Battlefields. The winter months between June and August are also one of the best times for safari in Kruger National Park. The dry and sparse conditions create excellent game viewing with fantastic visibility and wildlife can often be seen concentrated at a water source. It can become chilly during early morning drives and after sundowners so ensure to pack extra layers.

As South Africa enters spring, the Western Cape warms up and comes alive as beautiful wildflowers carpet the landscape. November is one of the best months to visit Cape Town and the surrounding Winelands and is a wonderful time to drive the Garden Route, one of the world’s most spectacular coastlines. The spring months are also a great time for a safari at a private game reserve on the Eastern or Western Cape as the weather is warm and dry and there is a great chance of seeing newly born animals. The whale season in the Western Cape is between June and October. You can often see migratory southern right and humpback whales from the shore in Hermanus which is a magical experience.