What's the best time to visit South Africa?
The ideal time to visit South Africa is from March to September, offering great wildlife viewing in Kruger National Park and pleasant weather for exploring cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg.
This period aligns with Cape Town’s mild weather and Johannesburg’s dry season, enhancing city experiences. Key events like the Splashy Fen Music Festival and National Arts Festival also occur during these months.
South Africa is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the African continent, and a must-visit if you are a fan of wildlife, diverse landscapes, and even more diverse cultures.
One of the biggest draws of a trip to South Africa is the opportunity to see wildlife on safari. Parks such as Kruger National Park are home to lions, elephants, rhinos, and other spectacular creatures. The country’s landscapes are also well worth a visit, as are the lively cities.
There’s a lot to see in South Africa, especially if you time your visit properly. Here is a quick guide to help you prepare for planning your trip and deciding when to visit.
Overall Best Time to Visit South Africa
Dereje/Shutterstock
Every visitor thinks a different time is the best time to visit South Africa, but to get the most out of visiting the country, the best time to visit is March-September, the fall and winter season.
The best time to visit South Africa depends a lot on what you want to see and do. The best time to visit for wildlife viewing differs from the best time to visit for hiking or for nightlife in Cape Town.
The answer for the best time to visit the country also depends a lot on where you are going. South Africa is bigger than most people think, and has several distinct climate zones. Even the seasons are slightly different depending on where you go.
The north tends to be warmer than the south, the Indian Ocean more mild than the Atlantic, and elevation also plays a factor. Cape Town’s weather in fall and winter is pleasant, with temperatures in the fall averaging about 77 degrees Fahrenheit (about 25 degrees Celsius).
While winter is the rainiest season in the Cape, you can beat the rain by coming in the early fall, when the weather is still fairly dry. The rainy season and dry season are switched in the entire rest of South Africa.
In Kruger National Park, the dry season lasts from April to September. Although the nights will get cold, temperatures during the day are generally warm and pleasant, perfect for exploring.
The primary reason why you should visit during South Africa’s fall and winter is wildlife spotting. According to the official Kruger National Park website, it is much easier to spot wildlife when visiting in the winter because the dry weather means there is less vegetation behind which animals can hide.
Plus, rangers know the locations of popular watering holes where animals tend to congregate, and will know to guide your safari there so you can see wildlife.
Winter is also the best time to visit Johannesburg as this is the dry season in the city. You can visit important sites from the struggle against apartheid such as the Mandela House, go on a tour of the famous Soweto township, and explore the city’s up-and-coming arts scene.
Although most festivals in the country occur in the summer, there are some popular fall and winter festivals, such as:
- Splashy Fen Music Festival (Durban, April)
- National Arts Festival (Eastern Cape, June)
- Wacky Wine Weekend (June)
Cheapest Time to Visit South Africa
Fokke Baarssen/Shutterstock
The cheapest time to visit South Africa is during the shoulder season months of April-May and September-October. In the fall (April-May), the high season is starting to wind down and you can get good deals on a lot of accommodation options.
In particular, this is a good time to get deals on safaris since big parks receive fewer visitors during the shoulder season. The spring months of September and October are also part of the South African shoulder season.
Hotel prices also wind down, and you can also find good deals on flights to the country. In many parts of the country, winter (June-August) is actually the most affordable time to travel. In Cape Town in particular, you can find great deals.
However, this is the most expensive time to go on safari because it is the most popular time to visit the national parks. Popular resort areas also get more expensive in June and July because that is when South African school kids have their vacation.
Least Busy Time to Visit South Africa
Living-southafrica/Shutterstock
The least busy time to visit South Africa is during the shoulder season months of April-May and September-October, when you avoid the worst of both of the high seasons.
South Africa has two high seasons. The most visitors come during the country’s summer (December-February). Winter is also a popular season for travelers thanks to the draw of the national parks.
It’s also the peak season for domestic travel thanks to school vacations. Fall and spring land right in that sweet spot between the two high seasons.
Although crowds, prices, and weather conditions vary depending on where you go in South Africa, you can avoid the crowds and the peak season prices pretty much anywhere in April, May, September, and early October.
Spring (September-October) is particularly popular among nature lovers. Along the South African coast, this is the best season for whale watching.
The landscapes are beginning to get rain, making it a good season for hiking in much of the country. You may even catch wildflower blooms along more temperate areas, such as the Drakensberg mountains.
Worst Time to Visit South Africa
07.07.2021 Cape Town City – The famous Long Street in Cape Town is known for the party life of many in Cape Town/Poetry Photography/Shutterstock
There really is no bad time to visit South Africa, but it’s worth booking outside of the summer peak season to avoid the crowds and high prices.
Summer (November-March) is the peak season for South African tourism. International visitors flock to the country, driving up prices and crowding popular attractions.
Popular hotels fill up quickly, and many don’t take reservations for one or two nights only during the peak season, which may affect your travel plans. The weather during the summer in much of the country is also not that pleasant.
In much of South Africa, summer is the rainy season. Expect heavy downpours from Johannesburg to the north, and hot, humid days.
If you want to go on safari or spend lots of time outdoors, you will need waterproof gear to be able to spend time in nature. That being said, some people prefer going outdoors during this time as the landscapes are green and lush.
Plus, it’s the best season for bird-watching. However, summer is one of the best times to visit Cape Town and the entire Cape region. Unlike the rest of the country, summer is actually the Cape’s dry season, so expect warm, sunny weather.
It’s a great time to hang out on the beach along the Western Cape, whether you go swimming, wind sailing, or just work on your tan. Summer is the best season to go to South Africa if you are interested in festivals and nightlife.
This is the season when the country’s biggest festivals take place, such as:
- AFROPUNK (Johannesburg, December)
- Pride Festival (Cape Town, February/March)
- Cape Town International Jazz Festival (February/March)
These festivals tend to draw huge crowds and increase the cost of visiting the cities where they are located. However, if you are prepared for this and want to visit these parties, this is the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
WitR/Shutterstock
Here are some of the most common questions people have asked about picking the best time to visit South Africa:
What is the best month to visit South Africa?
The answer depends on where you visit within the country, but if you visit in March you can usually catch the best of everything.
When is the least expensive time of year to go to South Africa?
The shoulder seasons of fall (April-May) and spring (September-October) are the least expensive times of year to visit.
When is the best time of year to go on safari in South Africa?
The dry season (May-September) is the best time of year to go on safari because it is much easier to spot the animals.
What is the rainiest month in South Africa?
November-March are the rainiest months in South Africa, with the exception of Cape Town, where the rainiest months are July and August.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit South Africa?
The best time to visit South Africa depends a lot on where you want to go and what you want to do. You can see the best of everything in fall and winter (March-September) while avoiding the worst of peak season prices.