Best Time for a Safari in South Africa

South Africa is a large and diverse country with a climate that varies from region to region. In the Western Cape (Cape Town and the Winelands, Cederberg and Hermanus) the summer months of November to April are blissful. In these months think blue skies and sunshine, dreamy beach days and fabulous sunsets.

Generally, the summer lasts from about December to March before winter takes over from June to August. Cape Town and the Western Cape experience winter rainfall and a largely dry, hot summer. Most of the rest of South Africa, including the Kruger Park Region, have summer thundershowers and a dry winter, while the Garden Route and the Eastern Cape can experience rain at any time of the year.

If you are looking for perfect safari conditions, May to October is the perfect time to visit when it is dry and warm.

Here is a monthly breakdown on the Best Time to Safari in South Africa.

January – Wet (Safari) Season

January is a wet season for safari in South Africa, on average rain falls only a couple of times a week, leaving plenty of time to explore the various wilderness region. In Cape Town, the weather is consistent with plenty of sunshine and only a handful of rainy days.

This month marks the end of the birthing period in the Kruger National Park, with dense numbers of young impala, kudu, blue wildebeests and more, causing high excitement among the predators. This is the ideal time to visit the Western Cape, for lounging to the beaches or soaking up the culture of the Winelands with a tasting or pairing.

February – Wet (Safari) Season

February is a continuation of a wet safari season in South Africa and the hottest month of the year in Cape Town, with little to no rain. The safari destinations of South Africa are experienced relative humidity and considerable rainfall.

The birthing period in the Kruger National Park ends in February, with dense number of young impalas, kudu, blue wildebeests and more, causing excitement amongst the predators. February is the ideal time to visit the Western Cape’s Winelands for wine tasting, spectacular scenery and a culinary delight.

The Garden Route enjoys its best weather in February, with sandy beaches, beautiful views and very few other tourists

March – Wet (Safari) Season

March is still hot and relatively dry across South Africa with Cape Town receiving less rain that the rest of the country. This is a great time for wildlife photographers in the Kruger National Park region, with clear skies, low humidity and less dust. The wildlife and vegetation is at its most vibrant, though relatively spread out.

March is the ideal time to visit Western Cape’s Wetlands for wine tasting, spectacular scenery and a culinary delight.

The Garden Route enjoys its best weather at this time of the year, with sandy beaches, stunning views and very few other tourists.

April – Wet (Safari) Season

In April, temperatures in most of South Africa are cooling, with rainfall starting to dry up. On the other hand, Cape Town is seeing its rainfall usually in the form of occasional showers. In Kruger National Park is in the rutting (breeding season) for impalas, wildebeests and warthogs, with males at their most impressive, fighting for the opportunity to mate.

In the Cape, wind has dropped, providing the perfect opportunity to hike Table Mountain, soak up some culture at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens or explore the historic Robin Island.

The Garden Route enjoys the best weather at time of the year, with sandy beaches, stunning views and very few other tourists.

May – Dry (Safari) Season

In this month expect some rain in Cape Town over the course of a lengthy stay, with the rest of South Africa experiencing the end of the transition period from wet summer to dry winter, offering moderate temperatures and little to no rain.

June is the start of the dry season in the Kruger National Park, with wildlife in its best location after the season of plenty.

If you are interested in less crowds, this is the best month, weather can be poor but this is made up for with an incredible range of indoor activities including organic markets, rich cultural experiences and wine farm dining next to a roaring fire.

June – Dry (Safari) Season

It is still a wet season in Cape Town with almost half the days experiencing some rain. Across the rest of South Africa, temperatures are comfortable but have significantly dropped considerably at night, with morning frost on occasion and rainfall drying up.

The iconic Kruger National Park delivers exceptional game viewing, with vegetation thinning and wildlife staying close to permanent water sources.

To avoid crowds, visit the Cape in the month, weather can be pool but this is made up for with an incredible range of indoor activities including organic markets, rich cultural experiences and wine farm dining next to a roaring fire.

July – Dry (Safari) Season

In this month, Cape Town is experiencing the peak of its wet season with colder temperatures and a one in two chance of rain. Across the rest of South Africa, nights are cold and possibly frosty, ay temperatures are comfortable with rainfall dry up.

Kruger National Park and the surrounding delivers exceptional game viewing, with vegetation thinning and wildlife staying in close to the remaining water sources.

In the Western Cape, it is a whale viewing season, with these impressive animals migrating up the east coast of South Africa.

August – Dry (Safari) Season

Most of South Africa, the coldest night temperatures have passed, with the daylight hours warming considerably, rain is still very unlikely. In Cape Town, it is still the wet season with high chances of rainfall.

The Kruger National Park region is enjoying exceptional game viewing, with vegetation thinning and wildlife staying close to the permanent water sources.

August is the best time of the year to visit Tswalu Kalahari in search of wildlife rarities like Pangolin and aardvark or have an intimate encounter with the resident Meerkat. Also, it is a whale viewing season in the Western Cape, with these impressive animals migrating up the east coast of South Africa.

In the Western Cape’s Namaqua region, the beautiful wild flowers are in bloom, providing a sea of color in the countryside.

September – Dry (Safari) Season

With warm day time weather, low humidity and very little rain, September is the best time to safari in South Africa. Cape Town experiences a handful of rainy days as the wet season comes to an end.

In Kruger National Park region, game viewing is excellent, the stunning Boer Bean trees are in flower in vegetation thin and wildlife congregating around the waterholes.

September is the best time of the year to visit Tswalu Kalahari in search of wildlife rarities like pangolin and arrdvark or have an intimate encounter with the resident meerkat.

This is a whale viewing season in Western Cape, with these fascinating animals migrate up the east cost of Southern Africa. In the Western Capes Namagua region, the beautiful wild flowers are in bloom providing a sea of color in the countryside.

October – Dry (Safari) Season

Across most of South Africa, temperatures are relatively hot with a marked rise in the amount of rainfall, usually in the form of afternoon showers. Cape Town is the exception, with a drop in rainfall and mild temperatures.

As the first rains arrive in the Kruger region, life burst forth from everywhere with birds displaying breeding plumage and wildlife still being easy to see.

The perfect time to visit Cape Town, climb Table Mountain, visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens or explore the Winelands, beating the festive season crowds.

November – Wet (Safari) Season

Although daytime temperatures can be hot and humid, there is no better time to go in search of the nesting loggerhead and leatherback turtles of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (St. Lucia Wetlands Park).

South Africa’s temperatures are still hot and a little humid with the first showers of the wet season, it should be noted that in the most cases rains are just passing afternoon showers. Cape Town is enjoying warm sunny days with little to no chance of rain.

November is the wet season in Kruger National Park region, expect short, dramatic afternoon showers with plenty of sunshine hours throughout the rest of the day to view lion, rhino, buffalo and if you are lucky leopard.

This is the perfect time to visit Cape Town, climb Table Mountain, visit Kirstenbosch gardens or explore the Winelands beating the festive season crowds.

December – Wet (Safari) Season

December is a wonderful time of the year in the Kruger National Region, the morning glory and flame lilies are in flower with lots of young animals around, stirring the predators into a frenzy.

In Cape Town, summer is in full swing and if you don’t mind the crowds there is no better time to relax on the beaches, explore coastal towns, climb Table Mountain or visit the Winelands.

In the month, South Africa is experiencing hot temperatures with relative humidity and rain falling in the form of afternoon showers or occasional, dramatic storms. Cape Town is the exception with little to no rain.