South Africa
The best time to visit
When to go to South Africa
For Cape Town and the coast, go in summer, November to March. For safari in Kruger, the dry winter, May to September, is best for spotting wildlife. The seasons are reversed from the northern hemisphere.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Cape Town. Higher is better. Some links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Jan.
Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.
The quietest, cheapest stretch of the year.
In short
The year at a glance
South Africa is a tale of two trips. The month ratings track Cape Town, which has a Mediterranean climate: warm, dry summers from November to March are the time for the city, the beaches and the Winelands.
Safari follows the opposite calendar. The dry winter from May to September thins the bush and draws animals to the waterholes, making it the best time for wildlife in Kruger and the north. Winter in the Cape is mild but wet, and brings the whales to the southern coast.
Month by month
South Africa month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Cape Town.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rating | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°C / 79°F | 16°C / 61°F | 15 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. Cape Town hotels in January |
| February | 27°C / 81°F | 16°C / 61°F | 17 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. Cape Town hotels in February |
| March | 25°C / 77°F | 14°C / 57°F | 20 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. Cape Town hotels in March |
| April | 23°C / 73°F | 12°C / 54°F | 48 mm | Ideal 99 | Warm and dry. |
| May | 20°C / 68°F | 9°C / 48°F | 79 mm | Ideal 87 | Mild with a little rain. |
| June | 18°C / 64°F | 8°C / 46°F | 84 mm | Ideal 82 | Mild with a little rain. |
| July | 18°C / 64°F | 7°C / 45°F | 89 mm | Ideal 81 | Mild with a little rain. |
| August | 18°C / 64°F | 8°C / 46°F | 66 mm | Ideal 90 | Mild with a little rain. |
| September | 19°C / 66°F | 9°C / 48°F | 43 mm | Ideal 96 | Mild and dry. |
| October | 21°C / 70°F | 11°C / 52°F | 32 mm | Ideal 100 | Mild and dry. |
| November | 24°C / 75°F | 13°C / 55°F | 21 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. |
| December | 25°C / 77°F | 15°C / 59°F | 18 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. |
By region
Where you go changes when you go
Cape Town and the Cape
Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers, November to March, ideal for Table Mountain, the beaches and the Winelands.
Kruger and the safari north
Dry winter, May to September, is the prime safari season, with sparse bush and animals gathered at the water.
The Garden Route and coast
A milder, year-round climate, lovely in spring and autumn, with whales offshore in winter and spring.
Go for
Best time to visit South Africa for
Safari and wildlife
May to September, the dry winter, when thin bush and busy waterholes make for the best game viewing in Kruger.
Cape Town and the Winelands
November to March for warm, dry summer days on Table Mountain, the beaches and the wine estates.
Whale watching
July to November along the southern coast around Hermanus, when southern right whales calve close to shore.
Wildflowers
August and September on the West Coast, when the spring blooms carpet the Namaqualand desert.
On the calendar
What is on, and when
Whale watching, Jul to Nov
Southern right whales gather close to the southern Cape coast to calve.
Wildflowers, Aug to Sep
The West Coast and Namaqualand erupt in spring colour.
Where to stay
Where to stay in South Africa
Compare hotels and rentals around Cape Town, then book the month you want.
Ready to book?
Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.
Prefer to sort flights first? Compare flights
Questions