When To Go to South Africa

When To Go to South Africa

When To Go to South Africa : Nicknamed the “Rainbow Nation” by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, South Africa is a large and diverse country with a climate that varies from region to region. Generally, the summer lasts from about December to March delivering superb game viewing in South Africa’s iconic national parks and reserves namely Kruger, Madikwe, Pilanesberg and KwaZulu-Natal. In these months, the animals are concentrated around water sources and are easier to spot in the dry’s season’s thin vegetation.

South Africa as a country is large and diverse with a climate that varies from region to region. Generally, summer lasts from 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 country, including the Kruger Park Area have summer thundershowers and a dry winter, while the Garden Route and Eastern Cape can experience rain at any time of the year.

For a beach holiday in Cape Town, the best time is during the hot summer months between November and March, this is arguably the best time to visit South Africa. The KwaZulu Natal experiences sunshine year round, so any time is good time to go. If you are interested in seeing whales along South Africa’s Whale Coast, between June and November is a good with the numbers at their highest in September.

Summary of South Africa’s Seasons

• High Season: December through February
• Shoulder Season: September to November; March to May
• Low Season: June to August

Geography of South Africa

South Africa is Africa’s most southernmost country, it is ordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique in the north, in the east and southeast by the Indian Ocean, and in the west and southwest by the Atlantic Ocean. It is situated on the latitudinal range of 25° – 33°, meaning it comes under the stablishing influence of largely tropical air masses, producing a climate characterized by a wet season and a dry season.

Here is a breakdown on when to go to South Africa.

Best Time To Visit for Smaller Crowds.

If you are not fun of crowds, avoid visiting during December and January. In this period, Cape Town experiences its bush holiday surge. The busiest months for a safari in South Africa tend to be December, for the rest of the year adventurers are typically blessed with more intimate experiences for wildlife viewing and fewer vehicles around exciting sightings.

Throughout the other months of the year, there is so much beauty to see and with the right gears, you will have a spectacular experience in this country’s contrasts. The quietest times of the year to travel to South Africa are October, November, April and May, this is the time of the year South Africa receives fewer visitors.

Best Time to Visit for Lower Prices

May through August is the best time to travel to South Africa’s Cape Town

The best pricing for a South Africa safari is in the shoulder season of April and May which is the autumn season. September tends to be a bit quiet and perfect for budget – conscious travelers. During December, the prices are at their peak and often times hotels and lodges enforce minimum stay periods.

Best Time to Visit for Good Weather

South Africa’s climate is very pleasant and favorable all year round with the spring and autumn offering the most balanced weather in the majority of the country. The spring, from September to November is the favorite for most visitors offering beautiful displays of blooming gardens and wild flowers on safari. The weather is perfect as it is neither too hot nor too cold.

Between October and May is the shoulder seasons in South Africa and summer time (high season), with the weather on the Western Cape being the traveler’s favorite as well as for safari goers across the country. Also, these are the best months for hiking. There is little rainfall (contrary to Johannesburg, where most of the rain occurs in the summer).

Because South Africa is vast, with lots of geographical diversity, there is plenty of climate experienced as you traverse different regions of the country.

Best Time to Visit for a Wildlife Safari

Any time can be a good time for a wildlife safari in When To Go to South Africa that is if you use a right local travel advisor with enough knowledge about the country’s parks and regions, ranging from the Kalahari in the Northern Cape to the most famous Kruger National Park. There are incredible opportunities for wildlife viewing all year round. However, the dry season (drier months) – June to September are considered to best time for wildlife safari as animals gather around water sources in the absence of rain.

During this season, the vegetation cover thins out making it easier to spot even the smaller creatures. If you are an avid bird-watcher, the warmer months (November to February) see the arrival of migratory birds and a dramatic incredible in volume of the dawn chorus. This time of the year is referred to as the green season, when the weather tends to be rainy and warm in South Africa’s wildlife reserves and parks.

Best Time to Visit for a Beach Holiday

With no question summer in South Africa (December to February) is the best time for beach holiday, perfect for sunbathing and swimming on one of the many spectacular beaches that wrap South Africa’s 1,770 mile coastline.

In these times of the year, do not expect leisurely swims in the sea as it normally gets cold. However, if you enjoy colder water, Cape Town is fabulous in December and January, with white sand beaches, abundant water activities, and incredible snorkeling and diving opportunities in the Great African Seaforest.

For surfers, summer tends to have smaller waves, plus wind. The peak surf season is March to September, when the water is at its most frigid (low 70s). Regardless of season, the African sun is harsh so remember to carry sunscreen.

Best Time to Visit for Festivals

There is a series of festivals and concerts held in the Cape Winelands and lively farmer markets in Cape Town, the Cape Town Art Fair and Cape Town International Jazz Festival are held in each February and they are great draws for visitors. The Summer Sunset Concerts that take place from November through April at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden are captivating affairs worthy of a bountiful BYO picnic.

South Africa’s popular concerts offer live music in a picturesque setting beneath Table Mountain. The Harvest Season in the Winelands – Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl spans February and March, this is an exciting and beautiful time to visit storied iconic estates and up-and coming young winemakers.

Worst Time to Visit South Africa

South Africa is a year-round destination, however some travelers could find the peak of summer a bit too hot for them, though the temperatures typically stays in the 70s and only rarely reaches the 90s. The winter temperatures in the remote mountain regions in the Northern Cape are too cold.