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 will feel notably cooler than the northern hemisphere summer.
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.
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.
