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When to go · South Africa

South Africa, month by month

The best months for South Africa: Apr, May, Aug, Sep, Oct.

Month by month

  1. JanuaryGoodCape at its best: hot, dry, windy. School holidays until mid-January; Kruger is hot and green.Western Cape: best weather · Garden Route: best weather · Kruger and the Lowveld: rainyCrowds: High · 4 festivals or holidays
  2. FebruaryGoodWarmest sea on the Cape; harvest in the Winelands. Lowveld storms.Western Cape: best weather · Garden Route: best weather · Kruger and the Lowveld: rainyCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
  3. MarchGoodSettled Cape weather and fewer crowds; Kruger bush still thick.Western Cape: best weather · Garden Route: best weather · Kruger and the Lowveld: fineCrowds: Medium · 5 festivals or holidays
  4. AprilGreatEaster holidays fill parks; otherwise a good month for Cape plus Kruger.Western Cape: fine · Garden Route: fine · Kruger and the Lowveld: fineCrowds: Medium · 4 festivals or holidays
  5. MayGreatDry season starts in Kruger; first Cape rains. Good value.Western Cape: rainy · Garden Route: fine · Kruger and the Lowveld: best weatherCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
  6. JuneMixedCape rain and wind; Kruger dry and cold at dawn — game drives need layers. Winter school holidays late June.Western Cape: rainy · Garden Route: cool · Kruger and the Lowveld: best weatherCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
  7. JulyMixedWettest Cape month; best Kruger visibility. Whales arrive off Hermanus.Western Cape: rainy · Garden Route: cool · Kruger and the Lowveld: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
  8. AugustGreatNamaqualand flowers start late in the month; Kruger excellent.Western Cape: rainy · Garden Route: cool · Kruger and the Lowveld: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
  9. SeptemberGreatCape spring and flowers, whales in Walker Bay, Kruger at its driest. Heritage Day 24 Sep.Western Cape: fine · Garden Route: fine · Kruger and the Lowveld: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
  10. OctoberGreatWarm, before school holidays; Kruger hot but game concentrated at water.Western Cape: best weather · Garden Route: fine · Kruger and the Lowveld: fineCrowds: Medium
  11. NovemberGoodCape summer begins; first Lowveld rains and impala births.Western Cape: best weather · Garden Route: best weather · Kruger and the Lowveld: hotCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
  12. DecemberMixedPeak domestic holiday: coast, Garden Route and park camps full; book 6–12 months ahead.Western Cape: best weather · Garden Route: best weather · Kruger and the Lowveld: rainyCrowds: High · 4 festivals or holidays

Weather by region

How each climate zone rates each month.

Weather rating by region and month
RegionJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Western CapeCape Town, Winelands, Hermanus, CederbergBestBestBestOKWetWetWetWetOKBestBestBest
Garden RouteMossel Bay, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, TsitsikammaBestBestBestOKOKCoolCoolCoolOKOKBestBest
Kruger and the LowveldKruger, Sabi Sand, Timbavati, Panorama RouteWetWetOKOKBestBestBestBestBestOKHotWet
HighveldJohannesburg, PretoriaWetWetOKBestBestCoolCoolBestBestBestOKWet
KwaZulu-Natal coastDurban, iSimangaliso, HluhluweHotHotOKBestBestBestBestBestBestOKOKHot
DrakensberguKhahlamba-Drakensberg, Golden GateWetWetOKBestBestCoolCoolCoolOKBestOKWet