When to go to South Africa? The season-by-season guide for a successful trip

Christmas is in three months and you haven't booked yet? Cape Town in August, good or bad idea? Is the ideal season for a safari winter or summer? Planning your vacation in this part of Southern Africa can quickly become a headache. So, when to go to South Africa to live an unforgettable experience? We help you see more clearly in this guide and choose according to your desires.

A country to discover all year round… but not everywhere at the same time!

Anticipate crowds and book in advance

Seasonality is very marked in South Africa, with notably two major periods of very high season:

• From mid-December to mid-January: this is both the end-of-year holidays for Europeans and the South African summer holidays. Locals generally take three weeks off and literally rush to the beaches of the Cape region, the Garden Route, and KwaZulu-Natal around Durban. Game reserves are also very popular at these dates.
• The Easter period and its long weekends: South Africans working have few days off. They therefore take advantage of these long weekends, extending them if possible, especially since schools are closed for about a month from mid-April to mid-May. 

For this very high season, if you have an itinerary in mind, we recommend booking at least six months in advance to avoid any frustration. Plan your holidays ahead to optimize them: the longer you wait, the fewer choices you'll have…

Understanding the seasons in South Africa

Located in the southern hemisphere, South Africa experiences seasons opposite to those in Europe. Thus, the southern summer runs from October to April, and the southern winter from May to September. 

But the country is also vast, with varied landscapes. Almost all climates are represented: Mediterranean, oceanic, temperate, semi-desert, subtropical… Southern summer can therefore be dry in the southwest region around the Cape, while it is the rainy season with storms in the late afternoon in the east (Kruger, KwaZulu-Natal, Johannesburg…). Conversely, winter is wet in the Cape and dry elsewhere. Such meteorological diversity ultimately offers travel possibilities all year round. However, certain dates should be favored depending on the regions… and the activities you plan.

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The best times to travel to South Africa, according to your desires

When to go on safari in South Africa?

Each season has its advantages and disadvantages for wildlife watching.

The best time is the southern winter, from May to the end of September. Over the northern three-quarters of South Africa, this corresponds to a sunny and dry climate. Vegetation is less dense, making it easier to see animals. Water points attract wildlife. This is therefore ideal for discovering Kruger National Park, Pilanesberg, Madikwe, or the private reserves of Limpopo…

Far northwest, in the semi-desert Kalahari region, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is also preferably visited during the southern winter. Temperatures are more bearable. Note that this park only has a few rest camps and lodges and is very popular with South Africans! To stay inside, you must book several months in advance.

On the other hand, southern summer also has its advantages. Not only will it be less cold during your morning safaris, but above all, you will enjoy lush, lively landscapes, with newborns of all species. Finally, migratory birds return to South Africa, making it the privileged period for birdwatching.

When to enjoy the beach in South Africa?

If you prefer beaches, southern summer is made for you! This is true for Cape Town and the Garden Route, as the southern winter in this region tends to be cold and rainy : the ideal month is undoubtedly February, with fewer crowds, better prices, and almost guaranteed summer weather…

On the east coast, especially near the border with Mozambique, the influence of the Indian Ocean allows beach enjoyment almost all year round, notably around Santa Lucia and Kosi Bay.

When to observe marine animals?

Some species such as great white sharks, dolphins, seals, and penguins are present on South African coasts all year round.

Others only come during certain seasons:

• From July to November, southern right whales come to give birth in South African waters. Hermanus bay is very famous for whale watching.
• From November to March, it’s the turn of the turtles to frequent the beaches of Maputaland: north of Santa Lucia, along the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles come to lay eggs from November. Two months later, you can witness the hatchlings!
• In June and July, it’s the “Sardine Run”! Thrill seekers can sail or dive amid huge sardine shoals attracting aquatic predators and birds.

Where to travel in South Africa all year round?

KwaZulu Natal, of course! 

This is THE emblematic region of South Africa and the one with the most varied ecosystems. You can swim, surf, and dive all year on the Elephant Coast beaches north of Santa Lucia or those of the Dolphin Coast. Discovering the Zulu culture, the unique fauna, and flora of iSimangaliso Wetland Park is also not seasonal. 

The Drakensberg and Lesotho 

In these mountainous areas, what you do depends on the season: skiing in winter (yes, really!), hiking on foot or horseback in summer. Always different, with breathtaking landscapes…

Eswatini 

Little known yet… this small landlocked country is worth a detour beyond a simple stopover between Kruger Park and the coast. A stay of several days will allow you to discover an original and authentic culture, hiking opportunities, and lovely game reserves.

In summary, where and when to go to South Africa?

Thanks to its great geographical and climatic diversity, the Rainbow Nation can be visited all year round. The best time to go to South Africa depends both on the activities you plan, the regions to visit, your budget, and local weather.

Prefer the southern winter for safaris, exploring the Karoo desert, or whale watching; summer for the seaside or mountains; spring for the blooms of Namaqualand or the jacarandas of Johannesburg and Pretoria…

Find all our South African destination advice month by month on the calendar below:

In all cases, we advise you to prepare and book your trip several months in advance, especially during the high season of the southern summer.

Contact us to define the details of your next holidays. As an expert on the destination, we will help you decide what is the perfect time for you to travel to South Africa!