Planning a trip to South Africa? And wondering what time of the year is the best time to visit? The answer to this question is often confusing because South Africa is such a large country and the weather varies quite a bit regionally. Since South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere, the weather is often the inverse of what you would find in the Northern Hemisphere.

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Best Time to Visit South Africa

South Africa is a year-round destination: different parts of the country are more attractive at different times of the year. Wildlife viewing is best from June through October, but you can tailor the timing of your trip according to what interests you the most. For the Cape area, the peak season is from November to March, which are the hotter summer months.

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Seasons of South Africa

Broadly speaking, these are the seasons of South Africa:

• Summer: mid-October to mid-February
• Autumn: mid-February to April
• Winter: May to July
• Spring: August to mid-October

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Where to Go and When?

May to October (Winter & Spring) – Best for Wildlife, Whales & Flowers

• This is the best time to go on wildlife safaris (especially in Kruger, Madikwe and KwaZulu Natal) because the weather is very dry in the winter months. This means that the animals congregate around watering holes, making them easier to spot. Also, the foliage is thinner at this time, increasing visibility. Learn more about the best time to visit Kruger National Park.
• There is little to no rain in these areas as well, however, it can get chilly in mornings and evenings, so warm clothes are recommended
• Areas around Cape Town get cold during this time, and it often rains in the Western Cape in winter. However, you can expect it to rain for a couple of hours and then bright sunshine for a couple of hours, so it is still a nice time to visit
• The best time for whale watching near Hermanus and the whale coast is from June to November
• The best time to see the springtime flowers of Namaqualand is August to mid-October. This is truly a spectacular sighting.

November to April (Summer & Autumn) – Best for Cape Town, Winelands & Birding

• Cape Town is glorious in the summer months from November to March. The weather is wonderful and the city (and surrounding areas like the Winelands) comes alive. However, be prepared to book months in advance (especially during Christmas) as this is peak season: all the good properties get booked out early.
• For wildlife viewing, this is low season as the rains arrive and the weather is quite hot and humid (from December to February). Game viewing becomes more difficult as the foliage becomes thicker. However, it usually rains in the afternoons and doesn’t really interfere with game drives.
• This is the best time for bird viewing because migratory birds arrive in South Africa by mid-October.

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Climate of South Africa

South Africa has a subtropical climate that is particularly conducive to the growing of excellent wines. But due to differences in altitude, as well as the Benguela and Agulhas currents (on the west and east sides of South Africa respectively), the climate does vary regionally.

On the inland plateau, where altitudes are higher, summers (mid-October to mid-February) are pleasant, usually below 30°C, while winters (May-July) drop below freezing and can include heavy snowfall in the Western and Northern Cape.

In contrast, the coastal and lowland regions are generally warm year-round. Rainfall also varies across South Africa (though the country is overall a dry one): the Western Cape has its rainy season in the winter, while the rest of the country receives its rain in the summer.

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The Southern Africa Weather Calendar