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Best Time To Visit South Africa

Overview
Best Time to Visit
Tours
Things To Do
Travel Guide

Plan your South Africa vacation in the right season

Since South Africa is a very large country, the climate varies from place to place. The good news is that you can travel to South Africa at any time of the year! Spring is recommended for a wildlife safari tour.

The impressive whale calves thrive from June to the end of October on the coast, while humpback whales have a season from August to December.

Many South Africans like to travel in their own country. From mid-December to late January, holidaymakers flow from the cities to the many national parks and resorts. You should, therefore, plan your trip to South Africa around the opening hours of national parks and school holidays.

Best Time To Visit

Most Ideal
Low Season

overview

It’s summer in South Africa. With warm temperatures and pleasant days, January is one of the best times to visit South Africa. It is also a very busy month for local tourists so plan your trip well in advance. Kruger and surrounding regions experience warm weather along with a reasonable amount of rainfall making it a low season for wildlife viewing.

we recommend

  • Head to the stunning Cape Point Peninsula
  • Say hello to penguins at Boulders Beach
  • Join the revelry of the Kaapse Klopse festival in Cape Town

overview

Favorable weather continues with plenty of sunshine and warm weather. It is the hottest month in Cape Town with average temperatures in the mid-70s. February continues to be peak tourist season due to favorable weather conditions.

we recommend

  • Take a cable car ride up to Table Mountain
  • Enjoy the sun and the sand at the charming village of Paternoster

overview

March is yet another great month to visit South Africa. Day time highs in Cape Town are around 77°F. Kruger is green and full with slightly reduced rainfall levels.

we recommend

  • Drive down the picturesque Garden Route
  • Wine and dine in Cape Winelands
  • Soak in the sun all day at one of Cape Town’s many beaches

overview

April is considered a shoulder season as the country moves from summer to autumn. Temperatures dip slightly across the country. Chances for spotting wildlife start to improve as Kruger sees a drop in rainfall.

we recommend

  • Hike the breathtaking Drakensberg Mountains
  • View creative art installations at the AfrikaBurn Festival in Tankwa Karoo National Park

overview

May is a quiet time but with warm, dry days, it is still a good time to visit. Nighttime temperatures start to drop a bit. Cape Town and Johannesburg see average temperatures around 60°F. Wildlife viewing season starts as rainfall levels drop even further and animals are forced to come out to watering holes to quench their thirst.

we recommend

  • Trek the Blyde River Canyon for unforgettable panoramic views of the mountains
  • Bask under the warm sun on the beaches along the KwaZulu-Natal coast

overview

June is the wettest month of the year in the Western Cape. Day time temperatures drop to 64°F in Cape Town and the low 50s in Johannesburg. It’s prime safari season as June and the next few months experience little or no rainfall. While average daytime highs in Kruger are in the mid-70s, temperatures can drop to the 50s in the night so it’s advisable to pack some warm layers.

we recommend

  • Head to the Western Cape for some world-class surfing
  • Go on enriching bushwalks with local guides

overview

It’s the start of whale watching season in the Western Cape. It continues to be cloudy and rainy in Cape Town while it’s the driest month of the year in Kruger and surrounding regions.

we recommend

  • Seafood lovers, make a trip to Knysna’s Oyster Festival
  • Hop on a 4X4 for an exhilarating night safari drive in Madikwe

overview

August is characterized by sunny, dry days and cold, chilly nights across most parts of the country. The Western Cape region, however, continues to experience some rain with the average day time temperatures in the mid-60s.

we recommend

  • Visit Namaqualand as it is transformed into a carpet of flowers
  • Catch sight of the Big Five at Kruger National Park

overview

The sight of wildflower-covered landscapes and newborn animals make September a very attractive month to visit South Africa. Mornings and nights continue to be chilly. Weather in the Western Cape region starts to improve with day time highs now touching 70°F while average highs in the Kruger are hovering in the mid-80s. It’s the last good month for safaris before the rains set in.

we recommend

  • Set off to on a whale watching adventure to Hermanus
  • Unwind in the multicultural vibe of Durban

overview

October offers visitors pleasant temperatures and thin crowds making it an excellent time to visit South Africa. It’s warm and toasty across the country with average highs around 84°F though Kruger, and surrounding regions see an increase in rainfall levels.

we recommend

  • Stroll under a purple canopy of jacaranda flowers in Johannesburg
  • Be awed by the rock formations of the Cederberg Mountains

overview

It’s the beginning of the South African summer as temperatures start to rise steadily and locals head to the beach. Cape Town and the Western Cape region is sunny and dry while Kruger sees an increase in rainfall levels.

we recommend

  • Head to Mkhuze Game Reserve for some fabulous bird watching
  • Discover the natural wonders of Karoo

overview

The festive spirit sets in and it’s the busiest time of the year along the Garden Route and the beaches of Kwa-Zulu Natal. It’s the wettest month of the year in Kruger. Cape Town, the Garden Route and the Kwa-Zulu Natal region sees temperatures range from 77°F – 82°F while readings in the Kruger region are in the high 80s.

we recommend

  • Relax at a summer concert in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
  • Watch the Kalahari transform into a green oasis
  • Get into the holiday spirit as you watch the twinkling lights of Adderley Street in Cape Town

Best time to visit South Africa by season

Spring: August – October

Summer: October – February

Autumn: February – April

Winter: May – July

flyfishing for trout against a backdrop of snow at giants cup wilderness reserve, kwazulu natal, south africa - history of South Africa

What to pack for your South Africa holidays

Pack things you would normally wear in a warm climate. In the parks and resorts, clothing is generally casual. Essentials to take along are: Sunhats, sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, sandals, sturdy shoes for walking, shorts, long pants (jeans), a warm jacket or a thick sweater and a torch for camps in nature reserves. Cool sundresses and light suits are recommended for the summer months.

From May to September warm clothes are indispensable, particularly in the Cape Region and in the Kruger area. Good camera equipment with a telephoto lens and binoculars are recommended for observing the wildlife.

Enchanting Travels Guest - Traveled to South Africa - White Rhinoceros, Kruger National Park - Rebecca Cory

Popular Trips to South Africa

Best Time to Visit South Africa

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Beautiful lagoon of Mauritius Island

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Combine a family-friendly safari in southern Africa with a wonderfully relaxing Mauritius beach vacation! Begin your safari adventure in the remote and Madikwe region which sit well off the tourist trail and affords fantastic game viewing opportunities. Explore the diverse landscapes of this region on your morning and afternoon game drives and spot curious animals…

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Best Time to Visit South Africa

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Discover South Africa beyond its fabulous safaris on this customizable road trip from the Western to the Eastern Cape. Explore the assorted charms of Cape Town, from its historic landmarks and the UNESCO-listed Table Mountain to the penguins of Boulders Beach. Next, board the Franschhoek Wine Tram, which takes you through the region’s finest vineyards…

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Best Places To Visit

Things To Do

The combination of wildlife parks like Kruger National Park, eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, beautiful natural scenery, excellent infrastructure, and a stable post-apartheid environment make South Africa a great destination for anyone. Discover the top highlights of the Rainbow Nation.

Things To Do in South Africa

Travel Guide

With a nation with as diverse landscapes and culture as South Africa, it is essential to learn some important information before you travel. From details on car rentals to visa, currency, internet and communications, get your lowdown in our South Africa travel guide.

South Africa Travel Guide

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What Our Guests Say

A memorable trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe. A lot to see and a lot of history, a very memorable vacation. The safari drives are amazing and the food in all locations were delicious, you got to be open to trying different cuisine. Overall trip was the best I#ve experienced.
Rating 5/5
ZImbabwe
Rosemarie Wright

USA

Enchanting Travels was amazing! Their level of service was outstanding, both from the prospective of immediately responding to questions as well as proactively reaching out with updates/recommendations. The trip was exactly what we were looking for. Would highly recommend and will definitely use again. Safe travels.
Rating 5/5
South Africa
Robert James Grant

Canada

Enchanting exceeded our expectations by a wide margin. They built the itinerary that was perfect for us and were with us throughout the entire trip checking in on us and handling any issues that could possibly arise (like a delayed flight that had a trickle effect). The staff were all over and above attentive and caring. The app they have you use is surprisingly excellent and helpful. Can’t say enough about this travel company. It’s the way to go.
Rating 5/5
Africa
George Kyriakis

Canada

We have travelled to three different countries with the assistance of Enchanting Travels, most recently to Namibia. Each experience has been positive. Namibia was wonderful to visit and our trip was enhanced with the help and coordination of Danielle and Meghan (and undoubtedly so many others who are behind the scene). Our itinerary was individualized and catered to what we value and request. Our trip coordinator, Meghan, is so professional, prompt, and very invested in us having a wonderful experience. The in country guides and excursion companies Enchanting Travels has connected us with have been top notch. The new Trip Agent app which details the trip itinerary is fabulous! We highly recommend Enchanting Travels and are already working with Danielle to plan a trip to Egypt!
Rating 5/5
Enchanting Travels
Rachael Linnea Coady

USA

This was our first trip with Enchanting Travels and I could not make a higher recommendation. From the time of planning to execution of our trip to Southern Africa, the service was excellent. The attention to detail of every aspect of our trip was outstanding. The trip was seamless, from transportation to accommodations. It was comforting to have a connection in Africa who met with us online prior to the trip and was available throughout our journey. The app with all of our travel plans and documents made the trip stress free. We plan to use Enchanting Travels again in the future.
Rating 5/5
Okavango Delta
Tamela Gough

USA

This trip to South Africa has been on our bucket list for a long time. Our only regret is that we didn’t do it sooner. It exceeded all expectations, particularly because of Enchanting Travels and our travel coordinator /consultants Akshay, and Cyprian. Their expertise, and professionalism allayed any concerns we had. Also, the timeframe and specific tours on our itinerary were perfect – four days in Cape Town, two days at the Krueger Safari Park, two days in Zimbabwe/Victoria Falls, and two days in Johannesburg. We were glad Enchanting Travels was recommended by a relative who relied on them for a trip to South Africa. Everything was perfectly customized to meet our needs and we thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this trip.
Rating 5/5
South Africa
Gail Lofton

USA

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