When to go to South Africa?
| November 26, 2022 | You want to travel in South Africa for your next vacation but don’t know when is the best time to go? Psst, the country is located in the southern hemisphere: here the seasons are reversed. But in reality the variety of places and climates make South Africa a country that can be visited all year round.
Each region has its best season! follow the leader…
When to go to South Africa to visit the Cape region and the Garden Route?
Temperatures in South Africa vary by region, but Cape Town is the only place with a temperate climate, close to the Mediterranean climate. The summer is therefore hot and dry and the winter rather mild and humid.
Good news: Cape Town’s temperate climate allows you to visit the region all year round!
The best time to visit Cape Town: summer and spring
from September to April
The best time to visit Cape Town and the Garden Route is from September to April, in other words during spring (September to November) and summer (December to April).
- The weather is dry and sunny.
- Average temperatures range from 18 ° C to 24 ° C.
- Maximum temperatures are around 28 ° C.
- A cool wind called the “Cape Doctor” often refreshed the atmosphere.
- The water reaches its maximum temperature: up to 20 ° C.
- The days are longer (from December to January in particular).
Avoid South African vacations
However, we advise you to avoid the period of the great South African holidays during the Southern summer, from December 15th to January 15th. The city of Cape Town is filled with many tourists. You will prefer a quieter period.
Winter: whale & flowering season
Be careful, each season has its advantage! It is during the winter season, and more particularly from June to September, that the whales migrate along the coasts of Hermanus. If you want to meet the largest marine mammal, choose this period instead.
When to go to South Africa for a Kruger safari?
The Kruger National Park, South Africa’s largest wildlife reserve, is accessible from Johannesburg by direct flight. Located in the north of the country, its climate differs from that of Cape Town and the Garden Route to the south.
The park has a subtropical climate with two distinct seasons:
- The rainy season which runs from November to April
- The dry season from May to October.
It’s up to you to choose the period that suits you the most.
It is possible to go on safaris all year round at the Kruger!
The benefits of the wet season
Bird season
If you want to be in total immersion in lush nature and observe the magnificent birds of the park, including the “Big 6” (the Kori Bustard, the Aigle Martial, the Stork in the Saddle, the Lappetfaced Vulture, the Pel-Fishing-Owl of Pel, and the Hornbill on the ground), the rainy season is the most suitable.
And newborns
Here again, each season has its advantages: the months from November to January are the hottest of the rainy season. But it’s also the season for newborns! If you want to observe the Big 5 babies, this is the time to go.
The advantages of the dry season
To better observe the famous Big 5 (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard) the best period is the dry season. During this period, the vegetation is less dense which makes the animals more visible and easy to find. Water points are also becoming rarer: animals gather there when the sun is at its zenith, making it a strategic point of observation.
The best time for the Kruger: all year round!
- All year round is a good time to go to the Kruger.
- The dry season with a thin bush: the animals are easier to observe.
- The hot and humid season with lush vegetation: the birds are out and it’s the season for newborns.
- Average temperatures are cool: 16 ° C to 24 ° C
- Maximum temperatures are around 30 ° C.
Let’s organize your tailor-made trip together
South African Travellers is a local agency based in Cape Town, specializing in the creation of tailor-made trips to Southern Africa since 2007. All its team is at your disposal to build your trip to Southern Africa, step by step, according to your pace, your budget and your choices.
A ranger will be at your disposal and will establish your itinerary with you. He will take care of all your accommodation reservations as well as the chosen vehicle.
Did you find this information useful? Here are some articles that might interest you:
- All about the Kruger National Park
- Going on safari, what to put in your suitcase?
- Safety in Cape Town, is the city dangerous?
- Secret spots and bars in Cape Town
