Best Time to Go to South Africa
South Africa is a large and diverse country with a climate that varies from region to region. Generally, South Africa’s 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. The Garden Route and Eastern Cape can experience rain at any time of year.
Choosing the best time to visit South Africa depends entirely on what you want to see and do:
The drier winter months (about May to October) are the best time for game viewing on a South Africa safari in the Kruger, Madikwe, Pilanesberg and KwaZulu-Natal. Animals are concentrated around water sources and are easier to spot in the thinned-out vegetation.
For a Cape Town beach holiday, you simply can’t beat the hot summer months between November and March. Note: if you want to visit the Mother City over Christmas or New Year, book your accommodation well in advance.
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.
South Africa Safari: High vs Low Season
The drier winter months (about May to October) are the best time for game viewing on a South Africa safari in the Kruger, Madikwe, Pilanesberg and KwaZulu-Natal. Animals are concentrated around water sources and are easier to spot in the thinned-out vegetation.
For a Cape Town beach holiday, you simply can’t beat the hot summer months between November and March. Note: if you want to visit the Mother City over Christmas or New Year, book your accommodation well in advance.
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.