Best Time to Visit South Africa | Climate Guide | Audley Travel UK (2024)

Visiting South Africa in January

January sees hot and dry weather in the Cape, making it an excellent time of year for trips to Cape Town and the Garden Route. The Kruger and KwaZulu-Natal also have high temperatures, but sunny periods are interspersed with tropical rainstorms.

Events & Festivals

• The Battlefields in KwaZulu-Natal (January): The battlefields are popular in January as it's the anniversaries of the Battle of Isandlwana and the Battle of Rorke's Drift. See our excursion to The Battlefields

Visiting South Africa in February

February is one of the hottest months in the Cape, although coastal towns are cooled by pleasant sea breezes. It is a very popular month and hotels get booked up well in advance.

Visiting South Africa in March

March is a popular time to visit South Africa; particularly if the Easter break falls within this month. The weather is warm, and although there may still be some rainfall in the north, it is easing off. On safari in Kruger the bush will be thick and rivers full as this is the end of the rainy season.

Visiting South Africa in April

April is also busy, but gets quieter toward the end of the month. The weather is warm and dry throughout the country, making it a prime time to combine regions.

Visiting South Africa in May

By the time May comes around the peak summer crowds have died down, but it is still a lovely time of year to visit the country if you are not seeking particularly hot weather. The weather is warm and dry across the regions, although with chilly evenings, and safari is often superb.

Visiting South Africa in June

Midwinter in the Cape sees cooler temperatures and roaring fires in the Winelands, and although it's never really cold during the days, the tops of the mountains do occasionally see a dusting of snow. When the sun comes out, the weather is usually beautifully mild.

Visiting South Africa in July

July is the start of the whale watching season along the coast of the Western Cape; southern right whales can be best viewed from Hermanus and Plettenberg Bay as they come close to the shores to give birth. The weather can be cool and drizzly in the Cape. Warmer and drier temperatures are in the north and east of the country and this is a superb time for game viewing as animals congregate around water holes.

Events & Festivals

• Whale watching season (July to November): This is the best time to see southern right whales off the coast after their migration from Antarctica to the warm waters off South Africa, where they will have their young.

Visiting South Africa in August

August is the start of spring and flowers start to bloom across the Western and Northern Cape. Namaqualand in the Northern Cape becomes carpeted in colourful flowers and people travel from near and far to see them. The Cape is chilly at this time and early August sees the cable car for Table Mountain closed for annual maintenance. KwaZulu-Natal is the best region to visit in August, offering warm temperatures and plenty to see and do.

Events & Festivals

• Whale watching season (July to November): This is the best time to see southern right whales off the coast after their migration from Antarctica to the warm waters off South Africa, where they will have their young.
• Wild flowers on the West Coast (August to October): During spring, the dry and dusty landscape is transformed as a carpet of colourful wild flowers spreads across South Africa's west coast, creating stunning scenery. This is an ideal time to visit Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.

Visiting South Africa in September

In September the beautiful wildflowers on the West Coast are often in full bloom and temperatures start to rise throughout the country; although early mornings and evenings are chilly. This is a good time to combine regions throughout the country. The animals are out in full force, with many giving birth this month in the bush and whales often spotted along the coast.

Events & Festivals

• Whale watching season (July to November): This is the best time to see southern right whales off the coast after their migration from Antarctica to the warm waters off South Africa, where they will have their young.
• Wild flowers on the West Coast (August to October): During spring, the dry and dusty landscape is transformed as a carpet of colourful wild flowers spreads across South Africa's west coast, creating stunning scenery. This is an ideal time to visit Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.

Visiting South Africa in October

October is a beautiful month — temperatures start to heat up throughout the country but the rains are yet to come in the north. Flowers can still be found in bloom until the end of spring. This is one of the best months to combine regions.

Events & Festivals

• Whale watching season (July to November): This is the best time to see southern right whales off the coast after their migration from Antarctica to the warm waters off South Africa, where they will have their young.
• Wild flowers on the West Coast (August to October): During spring, the dry and dusty landscape is transformed as a carpet of colourful wild flowers spreads across South Africa's west coast, creating stunning scenery. This is an ideal time to visit Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.

Visiting South Africa in November

It heats up across the country and the rains start in the Kruger and KwaZulu-Natal. Late afternoon thunderstorms clear the air and can be spectacular. The Cape sees the last month of the whale season and this is a great time to visit inland areas such as the Karoo before the temperatures soar.

Events & Festivals

• Whale watching season (July to November): This is the best time to see southern right whales off the coast after their migration from Antarctica to the warm waters off South Africa, where they will have their young.

Visiting South Africa in December

The festive season is extremely busy in South Africa and gets filled up quickly. Restaurants and excursions need to be booked well in advance. The Cape is dry and hot and the north and KwaZulu-Natal can experience some rain. Early December is great for travel as it is still quiet before the rush of school holidays.