Cape Town in January

Peak summer and school holidays; wind and crowds.

All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.

January is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• FebruaryGreatHot and dry; the cableway can close in wind.
• MarchGreatWarm and calmer; good for the mountain and the coast.
• OctoberGreatWarm and clear; good for the mountain.
• NovemberGreatWarm and dry; before the December crowds.

• Cape TownHighs around 26 °C (79 °F), lows around 16 °C (61 °F), rain on about 4 daysHighs around 79 °F (26 °C), lows around 61 °F (16 °C), rain on about 4 days
• Western Cape, South Africa · 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.

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.

• Cape Town Carnival check

  City Bowl

  A separate evening parade and festival; check the current date.

• Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts check

  Kirstenbosch

  Sunday-afternoon picnic crowds; book ahead in peak weeks.

• Peak summer season

  Citywide

  Highest prices and crowds; book well ahead.

• New Year's Day

  1 Jan · South Africa

  Beaches and Cape Town packed; end of the summer holiday week.

Crowds · South Africa overall

High

Prices · South Africa overall

High

South Africa overall: Cape at its best: hot, dry, windy. School holidays until mid-January; Kruger is hot and green.

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Cape Town, side by side.

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

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