South Africa in October

Warm, before school holidays; Kruger hot but game concentrated at water.

• 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, 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, Hluhluwefine

  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 Town21° / 11°, 8 rain days

Crowds · South Africa

Medium

Prices · South Africa

Medium

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

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Rated best or good this month

• Western Cape

  Best weather of the year (Cape Town, Winelands, Hermanus, Cederberg)

• Highveld

  Best weather of the year (Johannesburg, Pretoria)

• Drakensberg

  Best weather of the year (uKhahlamba-Drakensberg, Golden Gate)

• Cape Town

  Warm and clear; good for the mountain.