When to go · Cape Town
Cape Town in January
Mixed month. Peak summer and school holidays; wind and crowds.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 26° / 16°
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 4
- Crowds
- High
- South Africa overall
- Prices
- High
- South Africa overall
Verdict
Peak summer and school holidays; wind and crowds.
Weather in January
- Cape TownHighs around 26 °C, lows around 16 °C, rain on about 4 days
- Western Cape, South Africa · Cape Town, Winelands, Hermanus, Cederbergbest weather
Mediterranean: dry, windy summers (the south-easter can close the cableway), wet cold fronts June–August. Whales off Hermanus about June–November.
Summer season
Hot, dry, long days; the south-easter wind; Kirstenbosch concerts and beach season.
Watch: Peak prices and crowds Dec–Jan; wind can close the cableway.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Cape Town Carnival check
City Bowl
A separate evening parade and festival; check the current date.
Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts check
Kirstenbosch
Sunday-afternoon picnic crowds; book ahead in peak weeks.
Peak summer season
Citywide
Highest prices and crowds; book well ahead.
New Year's Day
1 Jan · South Africa
Beaches and Cape Town packed; end of the summer holiday week.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · South Africa overall
- High
- Prices · South Africa overall
- High
South Africa overall: Cape at its best: hot, dry, windy. School holidays until mid-January; Kruger is hot and green.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
What to pack
Nothing unusual for the weather this month.