When to visit South Africa ?

The peak of South Africa’s summer season, January brings hot humid temperatures and particularly heavy rainfall. These are usually torrential downpours in the afternoons but it is still possible to enjoy morning and evening safaris when the weather permits. Temperatures on the Indian Ocean side (east coast) are especially warm and the humidity may be uncomfortable for some, but swimming in the warm waters is pleasant year-round. Daytime temperatures usually average around 28-35°C and despite heavy rainfall, South African summer months do have sunny spells.

In January, wildlife will be more difficult to see through the thick, verdant bush. Most big cats will be best spotted during the cooler morning and evening drives as lions, leopards and cheetahs are likely to head into the cool shade of the bush during the daytime heat.

Warm evenings create the perfect ambience for sundowners and the clear skies at this time allows South African sunsets to portray amazing arrays of pinks and reds. Cape Town and Port Elizabeth will be pleasant during the summer months as although their temperatures are slightly cooler than Kruger, their rainfall averages are much lower. The streets of Cape Town come alive on the 2nd January for Kaapse Klopse, their Second New Year, with locals wearing bright outfits and singing traditional songs.

As with January, February in South Africa has notable rainfall usually in the form of heavy downpours. This is somewhat unpredictable but is unlikely to perpetuate whole days and therefore safaris are still possible and pleasant. Temperatures are still in the high 20s throughout the day and evening so layers won’t be necessary for game drives. The Garden Route has much less rainfall during the summer than the northern and eastern parts of the country.

In February, it is possible to see the calving season of impala, gemsbok, eland and more. The green season is also the best time of year to spot birdlife so have your binoculars and cameras at the ready to see them flit from tree-to-tree and see water birds dwelling around the numerous water sources.

Thanks to the rainfall of the green season, antelope will give birth at this time to give their young the best chance of survival due to the availability of water supplies across the reserves.

Generally a drier month all-round than January or February, March begins with a decrease in rainfall. With this, temperatures also start to decrease although not dramatically. Evenings in Kruger are unlikely to get lower than 15°C but with the wind chill factor of the game drive vehicles, warmer layers may be necessary for evening and early morning drives. Daytime highs will still be up in the late 20s and as the afternoon skies are clearer than the summer months you may have a chance to relax by the pool with a book between game drives.

March is a great time if you are a keen birdwatcher, migratory birds will still remain in South Africa into March, Kruger and Mkuze in particular are known for their variety of birdlife.

Vegetation will still be fairly thick during March as it has not had time to dry out and be grazed down yet, but as the climate is somewhat drier you will have plenty of chances on your drives to seek out the quintessential African wildlife. Surface water will linger around the parks into March and April so wildlife may still be scattered but our guides will aim to get you in the right place at the right time for the best game viewing.

Cooler temperatures arrive in April and fewer clouds and clear skies means less rainfall in the northern and eastern reserves. Although this means mornings and evenings will be a bit colder, days will remain pleasantly warm. Humidity also drops which means daytime temperatures around 25-28°C are much more agreeable than the earlier summer months. Thanks to the warm current from the east, the Indian Ocean side of the country is comfortable during this time and the sea water is temperate.

April is the best time of year to visit the Drakensberg Mountains as temperatures are still pleasant and summer rains will subside. The lessening cloud coverage means the mountain range is clear for fantastic landscape photography. Due to the high elevation of the Drakensberg Mountains, winter evenings can drop as low as freezing so travelling in the autumnal months of April and May is preferable.

April is not known as the best month for wildlife viewings but birdlife remains abundant in South Africa before they depart for the warmer summer climes of the northern hemisphere. They can also be slightly easier to spot during this time as vegetation reduces due to the lessening rainfall.

Sunshine and clear skies perpetuate May days making it a wonderful time to visit South Africa. Of course, temperatures will vary depending on where you are in the country but it is likely to be pleasant nonetheless. Morning and evening temperatures will be significantly cooler than earlier months so plenty of layers are necessary for game drives, but as the sun peaks in the sky, the mercury will reach back up to the 20s and afternoons will be comfortably warm.

May sees the beginning of the peak season for safari travelers as the drier months of May – October provide the optimum landscapes for wildlife sightings. The later in the season you leave your trip, the clearer landscapes will be and the more predictable wildlife sightings are as the animals are dependent on the dwindling water supplies.

May is also still a great time to visit the Drakensberg Mountains so despite the cooling temperatures across the country, this month can offer a lot of variety for your trip. KwaZulu-Natal has a sub-tropical climate so remains warmer during the winter months than the more southern regions. The Cape Region and the Garden Route begin their wetter season from May onwards which makes it a less than ideal time to visit and journey down the coast.

Although temperatures continue to drop throughout June, there is little to no rainfall and glorious clear skies are the backdrop to your safari. The winter rainfall regions, Western Cape and the Garden Route, are wetter and colder at this time but lush green landscapes start to flourish. The rains sweep in thanks to cold fronts but usually only last a matter of days and are followed by bright, clear days during which you can see the stunning sunlight reflections bouncing off the sea. Temperatures do drop to lows of around 7°C and with the sea breeze days may feel chilly. However, getting out to explore Table Mountain and heading to Boulders Beach to see the penguins will be well worth the extra layers needed.

Visiting Kruger National Park in June is great as wildlife is abundant and although tourist numbers will be rising they will not have peaked due to northern hemisphere school holidays not yet having started. Landscapes will be turning into shades of browns, yellows and oranges not only making fantastic scenes for photography but also making wildlife much easier to spot due to the thinning vegetation.

Travelling to Madikwe Game Reserve in June offers great chances of seeing wild dogs. Generally living in packs, these endangered painted dogs are a real treat to witness and are often seen hunting antelope and zebra.

Although morning and evening temperatures are cooler still, days will remain clear and dry and the mercury averages around 15°C in the middle of the day. These mild temperatures are suitable for walking safaris and are great for kids taking part in safari clubs learning about bush survival skills and conservation. However, nights can drop to 0°C so make sure you have plenty of warm layers for the evenings.

Landscapes dry up further into July making wildlife sightings even better throughout the month so this would be the optimum time to seek out elusive leopards in South Africa’s game reserves. Animals are forced to gather round the dwindling water supplies making their movements more predictable. Therefore, rangers can ensure you are in the right place at the right time to ensure you have the best wildlife encounters possible.

July sees the start of the whale-watching season off the Cape coast so marine enthusiasts can look out for southern right whales as part of their journey. Another underwater experience that is best at this time of year is the great sardine run. This is a unique safari experience allowing you to snorkel with thousands of fish and the predators that come with this huge migration.

If you’re feeling particularly brave you can go shark cage diving at this time (season runs from April – September) but you’ll need to wrap up warm after getting out of the chilly sea, especially once the adrenalin has worn off! Cape Town’s average temperature throughout July is around 11°C, the lowest of the year so it will feel notably cooler than the northern hemisphere summer.

Temperatures nationwide will start to rise in August but rainfall remains relatively low, therefore this is a fantastic time to visit South Africa. Although most of South Africa is malaria-free, mosquitoes can be a nuisance during the warm, wet, summer months. By the winter, and particularly as late as August, there are relatively few mosquitoes in the air which makes days much more pleasant.

August is perhaps the best time of year to see the wide array of wildlife South Africa has to offer from traditional Big 5 game to Cape Town’s marine life. Safari plains landscapes are particularly dry by this stage and vegetation sparse, so wildlife visibility is perhaps at its best.

If you’re going to head south to Cape Town as part of your journey then you may have the chance of seeing calving southern right whales, curious humpbacks and even, if you’re lucky, a rare orca! It is possible to see penguins year-round in South Africa however, they are likely to have fairly new-born offspring in the winter months so you may see some fluffy young starting to find their feet.

As this is an ideal time of year to visit South Africa, it is also extremely popular. Therefore game reserves and national parks will be noticeably busier, prices will rise and availability may be limited. If you’re looking for a quieter safari, perhaps head to Pafuri where there will be fewer visitors but still great opportunities for walking safaris and an abundance of birdlife.

Similarly to August, September sees dry days and fairly high numbers of tourists throughout the country. Temperatures do, however, start to rise with averages in Kruger National Park are around 22°C. Although rainfall has risen from August, it is still only around 24mm average throughout the month which is unlikely to have a huge impact on your safari experience. Temperatures in the Kalahari can be unbearably hot at times during the summer months so travel during South Africa’s cooler seasons can be a great time to interact with the Kalahari Bushmen and to see the black-maned lions.

September is a great month for spotting all the big cats much easier than during the wet season as game movements are more predictable. Vegetation will remain sparse as the majority of shrubs and grasses will have been grazed down throughout the winter.

You can also enjoy the wonderful colours of the Namaqualand daisies in bloom, perfect for landscape photography. If you’re thinking of combining your South Africa wildlife safari with some much needed rest and relaxation in the Indian Ocean islands, September can be a great time to travel as the humidity is slightly lower than the peak summer season but air and water temperatures are still very pleasant.

October is the shoulder season between the dry season and the busier high season. However, as it is outside of all school holidays, parks should still be relatively quiet. Temperatures are pleasant and it is unlikely that storms will perpetuate whole days, so morning and evening safaris are still enjoyable. As South Africa is such a large country, the climate is very diverse from region to region. The KwaZulu-Natal coastal region is generally warm and dry year-round so can be a great place to combine safari and beach when the wet season begins. Temperatures in the Kruger can get uncomfortably hot during this time and as the park lies in the malarial belt it is important to speak to your medical practitioner before travel.

As South Africa moves out of its dry winter season and rainfall increases, landscapes begin to thrive and thus more vegetation becomes available. It is at this time that many creatures give birth, to provide their young with the best chance at survival; with more nutrition and shelter available. The earlier you travel in October the less hidden wildlife will be behind lush trees and shrubs.

October probably isn’t known as the optimal time to travel to South Africa but if you’re looking for lower rates and aren’t too worried about occasional rain showers this could be a great time to go.

Similarly to October, rains have started but temperatures generally aren’t too high throughout the country in November. Wildlife can become more and more difficult to spot as the areas of vegetation thicken and water sources become more prevalent thanks to the increasing rainfall.

November can be a great time to combine a safari in South Africa with beach time in the Indian Ocean as turtles begin to hatch from November onwards on Cousin Island, and Aldabra giant tortoises can also be seen at this time.

Black and white rhinos can usually be seen year-round in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National Park as with elephants in the Kruger. Young animals, and therefore also predators, can still be seen at this time as the climate enables easier access to food and water. This can be exciting game viewing as lions, leopards and cheetahs seek out the weak links in the herds.

Temperatures in Cape Town during December are wonderfully hot so a city and beach break can be perfect at this time. December is often a very popular time to travel on an African safari both for locals and those travelling from further afield. Many choose a luxury safari for a family Christmas break so popular parks and lodges can get particularly busy at this time and rates increase accordingly and if you wish to travel for Christmas and New Year, advance booking is essential.

Being a few months into the wet season, landscapes are, of course, lush and verdant which create a fantastic backdrop for wildlife photography, despite the animals being harder to locate. October to April is also the season for migratory birds so make for prime birding months.

If you wish to avoid the crowds at this time it is best to choose one of Kruger National Park’s private concessions or one of the smaller, lesser-known parks.