The Best Time to Visit South Africa

Here’s the problem.

It’s always a good time to visit South Africa.

There is something incredible to discover in every season.

And that is not an exaggeration.

Depending on the time of year you travel to South Africa, you can go:

• Watch whales with their newborn calves
• Track cheetahs on foot in the Karoo
• Climb to the top of the highest waterfall in Africa
• Dance the night away in the desert at Afrikaburn
• Share the beach with a colony of penguins
• Witness the greatest wildflower show on Earth

See? I told you.

We’ve got it all and then some.

And unless you’ve got a whole year to explore South Africa, you need to whittle down your itinerary to a specific season.

That’s where I come in.

Think of me as your personal local South African concierge. I’ll guide you through each season, give you a deep dive into what to expect, and list all of the best things to add to your South Africa bucket list.

Sound good? 

Psst…Want more South Africa travel tips? Check out these other posts:

• The Ultimate South Africa Travel Guide
• 10+ Spectacular Road Trips in South Africa You Can’t Miss!
• 15+ Wonderous Waterfalls in South Africa That Will Make Your Jaw Drop
• 15+ Best Hikes in South Africa With Mind-Blowing Views
• The Most Secluded & Romantic Airbnbs in South Africa

Summer in South Africa

When: December to February
Average Temperatures: The days warm up to 26°C-33°C in most parts of the country, but it can get hotter if there’s a heat wave. 

Ahhh, summer!

It’s the best time to travel to South Africa (if you don’t mind crowds and forking out extra for accommodation).

But believe me, the higher price tag is worth it, especially if you’re a first-time visitor.

The reason?

Summer is when South Africa shines. There is so much to see, and with near-perfect weather, you’ll have a hard time staying indoors.

Cape Town’s social calendar is triple-booked. Expect to find at least three incredible things happening on the same day and face the daunting task of making a decision.

You’ll also be around for the height of music festival season in the Western Cape. I highly recommend Bazique, Origin, Wolfkop and Into The Wild. But keep an eye out for the one-day events like Yalla Valhalla (usually held inside a castle in or around Cape Town). 

When you’re not grooving, catch a tan on one of the most beautiful beaches in South Africa or go scuba diving in Sodwana Bay. It’s a top diving destination, and January to May has the warmest water with 20-30 meter visibility.

However, there are only two things to keep in mind when planning a trip to South Africa in the summer:

1. It’s high season in South Africa: You will need to book your accommodation well in advance (especially for Cape Town), and you will be one of the many local and international tourists.
   
2. It’s the rainy season: Well, except Cape Town. It’s usually dry until autumn with the odd storm. However, other destinations like Johannesburg and Durban get most of their rain in the summer.

The Best Things to Do in Summer in South Africa

• Attend an outdoor music festival
• Go to one of the Kirstenbosch Sunset Concerts
• Visit Kruger National Park (if you’re an avid birder)
• Go scuba diving in Sodwana Bay
• Visit iSimangaliso Wetlands Park to see turtle hatchlings
• Watch the sunset from Clifton 2nd Beach in Cape Town
• Beat the heat and camp at Beaverlac in the Cederberg

---

Spring in South Africa

When: September to November
Average Temperatures: 18°C to 24°C, but can warm up to 30°C+ in Limpopo and the Kruger

Spring is an incredible time to visit South Africa.

Why?

It’s a kaleidoscope of colour.

From September, Namaqualand is in full bloom, Postberg in West Coast National Park is open for wildflower season, and the weather is finally warming up.

Which means one thing: The start of music festival season in the Western Cape. Outdoor music festivals like Habitat, Zero Gravity, and Pangea and wellness events like Shanti Festival are in full swing.

While rainy days and cold temperatures are still the norm, the spring weather is perfect for hikes in and around Cape Town and along the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape.

Then there are the safaris.

Coming off of the winter high season in the bush, spring is a shoulder season in South Africa. You’ll pick up better deals on accommodation (if you avoid the school holidays) and be around to see all the baby animals being born!

That’s not the only wildlife action you can expect.

September is an excellent month to travel to Hermanus. The small seaside town is home to some of the best land-based whale watching in the world and the annual Hermanus Whale Festival.

NB: Hiking in the Drakensberg is not the best in spring. Storms are commonplace until the end of November.

The Best Things to Do in Spring in South Africa

• Conquer the 5-Day Whale Trail slackpacking hike 
• Visit Hermanus to see the whales
• See the wildflowers in Namaqualand
• Visit Postberg inside West Coast National Park
• Hike the waterfall trail along the Wild Coast
• Plan a Garden Route road trip
• Explore Robberg Nature Reserve in Plettenberg Bay
• Go on a safari
• Hike the 5-day Amatola Trail in the Eastern Cape

---

Autumn in South Africa

When: March to May
Average Temperatures: 10°C to 24°C

Without a shadow of a doubt, autumn is the best season to visit South Africa (in my humble opinion).

And if you’re obsessed with hiking and being outside without melting into a sweat puddle or freezing your t*tts off, you’ll agree.

Autumn kicks with two of my favourite festivals in Cape Town, Retreat Yourself in March (a smorgasbord of esoteric goodness) and the holy grail, Afrikaburn, at the end of April.

With the weather cooling down (and no rain yet), it’s the perfect time to camp underneath Wolfberg Arch in the Cederberg, conquer the top multi-day hike in South Africa, and tick off the best hikes in the Drakensberg.

…But wait.

There’s more.

Autumn is wine season.

Here is a list of some of the events you can attend:

• The Grape Escape Wine Festival
• Cabernet Franc Carnival 
• Elgin Railway Wine Festival

Oh, and budget travellers? You’ll love it even more.

With the summer crowds heading back to the northern hemisphere, you’ll find much better deals on pretty much everything (as long as you avoid the busy Easter weekend like the plague.)

The Best Things to Do in Autumn in South Africa

• Hike to Wolfberg Arch in the Cederberg
• Go to Afrikaburn
• Hike to the top of Tugela Falls (the highest waterfall in South Africa)
• Tackle the overnight hike in Cape Point National Park
• Tick off one of the best day hikes in Cape Town
• Hike the Otter Trail along the Garden Route
• Go wine tasting in the Cape Winelands

Read More: 10 Delicious Things to Do in Stellenbosch for Hungry Foodies

---

Winter in South Africa

When: June to August

Average Temperatures: 8°C to 21°C

An unpopular opinion: Winter in South Africa is the country’s best-kept secret.

Especially if you’re on a budget. It’s low season, and the lack of crowds means an abundance of incredible travel deals.

The wine farms drop their accommodation rates, and you can scoop up some incredible romantic winter getaways.

Worried about the weather? Trust, the hotels and cabins in South Africa know their target market. Expect indoor fireplaces and wood-fired hot tubs to keep you warm.

While the avalanche of wine events continues in the Cape throughout the winter, that’s not all you have to look forward to.

The cooler climate means it’s the best time to go on safaris in South Africa. The wildlife hangs around the dwindling waterholes, making sightings easy and your opportunity to glimpse the Big 5 without too much squinting.

The only downside? You won’t have perfect weather every day (it’s the rainy season in some parts of the country, like Cape Town), and the temperatures can get slightly nippy. But if you’re from Europe, it’s nothing that will shock your system.

The Best Things to Do in Winter in South Africa

• Go whale watching in Hermanus
• Witness the Sardine Run along the coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal
• Hike the Drakensberg mountains (if you want to see snow)
• Go on safari in Kruger National Park
• Plan a Panorama Route road trip
• Shoot the Milky Way in Sutherland or the Cederberg
• Spend the weekend rock climbing at Rocklands (a world-class bouldering site)
• Visit Namaqualand in August for the start of wildflower season

Read More: 10+ Incredible Things to do in Cape Town in Winter

---

So, When Should You Visit South Africa?

In my opinion, it depends on your interests and what you want to get out of your trip.

For hikers and rock climbers, autumn and winter (March to August) are the best months to visit South Africa. You’ll have near-perfect conditions, no crowds and avoid high season prices.

If it’s the ultimate South Africa safari adventure you’re after, plan your trip in winter (June to August) for optimal wildlife viewings. But if you’re a birder, the summer months (December to February) will give you more variety with migratory birds returning to the national parks.

For first-time visitors (or those wanting to escape the European winter chills). While it is busy season, you’ll have the best beach weather and an endless list of things to do for your South Africa itinerary.

---

Visiting South Africa: FAQ

• Is South Africa a safe travel destination? Yes, South Africa is a safe travel destination. Like at home, be aware of your surroundings, don’t flash your expensive belongings, and use your street smarts.
• Can I see the “Big Five” year-round? Yes, you can. But the best time of year is between June and August when the bush is thinner, and the animals are easier to spot.
• Which cities and towns should I include in my South African itinerary? Some cities and towns that deserve a must-visit on your South Africa itinerary are Cape Town, Hogsback, Plettenberg Bay, and Graskop for the Panorama Route.

---

Got any questions about the best time to visit South Africa? Hit ya gurl up in the comments below!

---

If you like it, put a pin on it!