The Best Times to Visit South Africa

Discover the best things to see and do in South Africa whatever the time of year…

Best time to visit

South Africa has a pleasant climate all year long, but the weather can vary depending on where and when you go. Whether you want to take a sunny hike up Table Mountain or escape the rain in one of Cape Town’s many museums, there’s something to enjoy all year round.

At Scott Dunn, our travel experts know the best times to travel to South Africa for a range of different experiences and can help you plan a truly bespoke vacation based on when you want to go. From tips for avoiding peak tourist times to luxury hotel recommendations, let us help you discover the best of South Africa, no matter the time of year.



When is the Best Time to Visit South Africa?

Looking for the best time to visit South Africa to catch a glimpse of your favorite animal on safari? Or maybe you want to know when you should travel to make the most of the sunshine?

Planning when to take a South African vacation depends on what you’d like to see and do while you’re there. From spotting whales along the Garden Route to exploring the Western Cape’s dramatic landscapes, there’s something to enjoy all year round.

Because it’s in the Southern Hemisphere, South Africa’s seasons are opposite to the US’, with June, July and August being the main winter months. But, just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean it’s cold; temperatures are typically in the 70s and 80s during this time. Pleasant weather throughout the year makes South Africa a great destination to visit throughout the seasons.

Here are some of our top ways to enjoy South Africa’s stunning natural sites and bustling cities at different times of the year.

Monthly Climate Guide for South Africa

, South Africa

Average temperatures (Fahrenheit) and rainfall (mm)

Jan
91°F 17mm
Feb
91°F 5mm
Mar
88°F 6mm
Apr
86°F 7mm
May
82°F 9mm
Jun
77°F 12mm
Jul
76°F 12mm
Aug
78°F 11mm
Sep
84°F 13mm
Oct
86°F 5mm
Nov
85°F 4mm
Dec
90°F 3mm
Jan
92°F 17mm
Feb
90°F 16mm
Mar
93°F 12mm
Apr
89°F 8mm
May
84°F 2mm
Jun
84°F 1mm
Jul
84°F 2mm
Aug
89°F 2mm
Sep
95°F 3mm
Oct
96°F 6mm
Nov
94°F 11mm
Dec
94°F 14mm
Jan
94°F 15mm
Feb
93°F 26mm
Mar
90°F 16mm
Apr
88°F 10mm
May
84°F 5mm
Jun
82°F 2mm
Jul
80°F 4mm
Aug
88°F 3mm
Sep
92°F 6mm
Oct
92°F 10mm
Nov
91°F 12mm
Dec
94°F 16mm
Jan
99°F 4mm
Feb
96°F 6mm
Mar
96°F 8mm
Apr
90°F 2mm
May
85°F 0mm
Jun
82°F 0mm
Jul
81°F 0mm
Aug
90°F 0mm
Sep
97°F 0mm
Oct
99°F 1mm
Nov
100°F 2mm
Dec
98°F 4mm
Jan
100°F 5mm
Feb
97°F 7mm
Mar
94°F 10mm
Apr
89°F 4mm
May
82°F 1mm
Jun
78°F 1mm
Jul
76°F 1mm
Aug
85°F 1mm
Sep
93°F 1mm
Oct
98°F 1mm
Nov
99°F 2mm
Dec
98°F 4mm
Jan
95°F 14mm
Feb
96°F 1mm
Mar
94°F 8mm
Apr
90°F 5mm
May
84°F 7mm
Jun
79°F 10mm
Jul
76°F 11mm
Aug
78°F 9mm
Sep
85°F 6mm
Oct
89°F 5mm
Nov
90°F 2mm
Dec
90°F 2mm
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Plan your South Africa trip today

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