When is the best time to visit South Africa?
South Africa is, according to locals and the many visitors who arrive each year, blessed with the best weather all year round. While the winters do get quite chilly in parts and there is the occasional snow fall on some of the mountains around the Cape, for the most part the sun is always shinning.
If weather is a factor that you really feel will affect your holiday experience, there are two ways to work around it. You can travel during those months which are considered the overall best time to visit, or you can plan your trip based on the area you will be visiting.
The best time of year to travel to South Africa is between the months of May and September. These are the cooler, winter months, and with the exception of the Western Cape, these months are drier than the summer months, when the rainfall returns in abundance.
Between the months of September and April, the days are long and can get exceptionally hot, especially in the safari areas in the North East of the country. The upside about travelling in the summer, if you can happily handle the heat, is that the land takes on an intense green and the sunshine has that tropical look. Summer days in the summer rainfall areas generally end with a spectacular thunderstorm, which is a really something to behold.
Top Attractions and Activities
It is hard to choose the best things to see and do when visiting South Africa, because there are just so many options, but to get a better idea about what you can expect and what to add to your South Africa holiday, here’s a couple of great options.
- Go to the Western Cape
From the most exciting and interesting Cape Town tours and holidays, to spending a day or two visiting all of the different winelands that are in the region, a trip to the Western Cape is a must and will also be a fairly good starting point for your South Africa holiday.
Some of the top attractions in the Western Cape include Table Mountain, the Bo-Kaap, and Cape Point.
- Go on Safari in the Kruger
The Kruger National Park is an absolutely iconic destination. So popular and well-known is the park that the word safari is almost synonymous with the Kruger. One of the best ways to visit the park is to sign up for a Kruger Park safari. These guided tours will take you to some of the best wildlife areas in the park, almost guaranteeing the best animal sightings, including the chance to spot the Big 5.
- Go to the Karoo
An arid and hauntingly beautiful place, with its flat landscape, wild animals, and the burst of colourful flowers that come to life in the spring, the Karoo is not on every tourist’s radar but absolutely should be. Along with being just an utterly breath taking place to visit, the Karoo also has plenty of small towns to explore and quite a few interesting attractions to see.
- Go to the Drakensberg
South Africa’s majestic mountain range, which starts in the Western Cape and stretches all the way up into the lush green province of Mpumalanga, the Drakensberg is a must-visit especially for those who want to hike while on holiday. These mountains are among the oldest in the world and they are quite the sight, making a trip to the Drakensberg an equally good idea if you are an avid photographer.
- Go to the Garden Route
South Africa’s very own natural garden, of sorts, the Garden Route is full of indigenous forests, small towns and some of the best coastal views. The route covers quite a long stretch and all along the way there is something interesting to see and to experience. Some of the top attractions include the Tsitsikamma, the Storms River Suspension Bridge, the Knysna Heads and the Knysna Forest.