When to go · South Africa
South Africa in March
Good month. Settled Cape weather and fewer crowds; Kruger bush still thick.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Crowds
- Medium
- South Africa
- Prices
- Medium
- South Africa
Verdict
Settled Cape weather and fewer crowds; Kruger bush still thick.
Weather in March
- Western Cape · 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.
- Garden Route · Mossel Bay, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikammabest weather
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, Pretoriafine
At 1,750 m: afternoon thunderstorms in summer, sunny frosty winters.
- KwaZulu-Natal coast · Durban, iSimangaliso, Hluhluwefine
Warm sea all year; humid summers; winter is the best time for the parks.
- Drakensberg · uKhahlamba-Drakensberg, Golden Gatefine
Summer thunderstorms most afternoons; winter snow on the high peaks.
- Cape Town26° / 15°, 5 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.
Human Rights Day
21 Mar
Public holiday; long weekend traffic.
Good Friday and Family Day (Easter Monday) big impact
Mar–Apr (moves yearly — check)
Parks and the coast fill; Easter school holidays.
Cape Town Carnival check
A separate evening parade and festival; check the current date.
Cape Town Cycle Tour check
Major road closures on race day.
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 March
Rated best or good this month
Western Cape
Best weather of the year (Cape Town, Winelands, Hermanus, Cederberg)
Garden Route
Best weather of the year (Mossel Bay, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma)
Warm and calmer; good for the mountain and the coast.