When to go · South Africa
South Africa in April
Great month. Easter holidays fill parks; otherwise a good month for Cape plus Kruger.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Crowds
- Medium
- South Africa
- Prices
- Medium
- South Africa
Verdict
Easter holidays fill parks; otherwise a good month for Cape plus Kruger.
Weather in April
- Western Cape · Cape Town, Winelands, Hermanus, Cederbergfine
Mediterranean: dry, windy summers (the south-easter can close the cableway), wet cold fronts June–August. Whales off Hermanus about June–November.
- Garden Route · Mossel Bay, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikammafine
Rain in every month, mild temperatures; December school holidays fill every bed.
- Kruger and the Lowveld · Kruger, Sabi Sand, Timbavati, Panorama Routefine
Dry winter May–September is the game-viewing season; summer storms, 35 °C heat and higher malaria risk November–March, but green landscapes and baby animals.
- Highveld · Johannesburg, Pretoriabest weather
At 1,750 m: afternoon thunderstorms in summer, sunny frosty winters.
- KwaZulu-Natal coast · Durban, iSimangaliso, Hluhluwebest weather
Warm sea all year; humid summers; winter is the best time for the parks.
- Drakensberg · uKhahlamba-Drakensberg, Golden Gatebest weather
Summer thunderstorms most afternoons; winter snow on the high peaks.
- Cape Town23° / 13°, 8 rain days
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.
Good Friday and Family Day (Easter Monday) big impact
Mar–Apr (moves yearly — check)
Parks and the coast fill; Easter school holidays.
Freedom Day
27 Apr
Marks the 1994 election.
Two Oceans Marathon check
Road closures on race weekend.
Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts check
Sunday-afternoon picnic crowds; book ahead in peak weeks.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · South Africa
- Medium
- Prices · South Africa
- Medium
What to pack
Nothing unusual for the weather this month.
Where to go in April
Rated best or good this month
Highveld
Best weather of the year (Johannesburg, Pretoria)
KwaZulu-Natal coast
Best weather of the year (Durban, iSimangaliso, Hluhluwe)
Drakensberg
Best weather of the year (uKhahlamba-Drakensberg, Golden Gate)
Mild and dry; Easter crowds.