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When to go · South Africa

South Africa, month by month

The best months for South Africa: Apr, May, Aug, Sep, Oct.

Month by month

  1. JanuaryGoodCape at its best: hot, dry, windy. School holidays until mid-January; Kruger is hot and green.Western Cape: best weather · Garden Route: best weather · Kruger and the Lowveld: rainyCrowds: High · 4 festivals or holidays
  2. FebruaryGoodWarmest sea on the Cape; harvest in the Winelands. Lowveld storms.Western Cape: best weather · Garden Route: best weather · Kruger and the Lowveld: rainyCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
  3. MarchGoodSettled Cape weather and fewer crowds; Kruger bush still thick.Western Cape: best weather · Garden Route: best weather · Kruger and the Lowveld: fineCrowds: Medium · 5 festivals or holidays
  4. AprilGreatEaster holidays fill parks; otherwise a good month for Cape plus Kruger.Western Cape: fine · Garden Route: fine · Kruger and the Lowveld: fineCrowds: Medium · 4 festivals or holidays
  5. MayGreatDry season starts in Kruger; first Cape rains. Good value.Western Cape: rainy · Garden Route: fine · Kruger and the Lowveld: best weatherCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
  6. JuneMixedCape rain and wind; Kruger dry and cold at dawn — game drives need layers. Winter school holidays late June.Western Cape: rainy · Garden Route: cool · Kruger and the Lowveld: best weatherCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
  7. JulyMixedWettest Cape month; best Kruger visibility. Whales arrive off Hermanus.Western Cape: rainy · Garden Route: cool · Kruger and the Lowveld: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
  8. AugustGreatNamaqualand flowers start late in the month; Kruger excellent.Western Cape: rainy · Garden Route: cool · Kruger and the Lowveld: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
  9. SeptemberGreatCape spring and flowers, whales in Walker Bay, Kruger at its driest. Heritage Day 24 Sep.Western Cape: fine · Garden Route: fine · Kruger and the Lowveld: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
  10. OctoberGreatWarm, before school holidays; Kruger hot but game concentrated at water.Western Cape: best weather · Garden Route: fine · Kruger and the Lowveld: fineCrowds: Medium
  11. NovemberGoodCape summer begins; first Lowveld rains and impala births.Western Cape: best weather · Garden Route: best weather · Kruger and the Lowveld: hotCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
  12. DecemberMixedPeak domestic holiday: coast, Garden Route and park camps full; book 6–12 months ahead.Western Cape: best weather · Garden Route: best weather · Kruger and the Lowveld: rainyCrowds: High · 4 festivals or holidays

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in South Africa, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Apr: Great

    May: Great

  • Crowds

    Apr: Medium

    May: Low

  • Prices

    Apr: Medium

    May: Low

  • Festivals listed

    Apr: 4

    May: 1

April: Easter holidays fill parks; otherwise a good month for Cape plus Kruger.

May: Dry season starts in Kruger; first Cape rains. Good value.

South Africa: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

Weather by region

How each climate zone rates each month.

Weather rating by region and month
RegionJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Western CapeCape Town, Winelands, Hermanus, CederbergBestBestBestOKWetWetWetWetOKBestBestBest
Garden RouteMossel Bay, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, TsitsikammaBestBestBestOKOKCoolCoolCoolOKOKBestBest
Kruger and the LowveldKruger, Sabi Sand, Timbavati, Panorama RouteWetWetOKOKBestBestBestBestBestOKHotWet
HighveldJohannesburg, PretoriaWetWetOKBestBestCoolCoolBestBestBestOKWet
KwaZulu-Natal coastDurban, iSimangaliso, HluhluweHotHotOKBestBestBestBestBestBestOKOKHot
DrakensberguKhahlamba-Drakensberg, Golden GateWetWetOKBestBestCoolCoolCoolOKBestOKWet