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When to go · South Africa

South Africa in July

Mixed month. Wettest Cape month; best Kruger visibility. Whales arrive off Hermanus.

Key facts

Verdict
Mixed
Crowds
Medium
South Africa
Prices
Medium
South Africa

Verdict

MixedVoykit month rating for South Africa

Wettest Cape month; best Kruger visibility. Whales arrive off Hermanus.

Is another month better than July?

July is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

Weather in July

  • Western Cape · Cape Town, Winelands, Hermanus, Cederbergrainy

    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, Tsitsikammacool

    Rain in every month, mild temperatures; December school holidays fill every bed.

  • Kruger and the Lowveld · Kruger, Sabi Sand, Timbavati, Panorama Routebest weather

    Dry winter May–September is the game-viewing season; summer storms, 35 °C (95 °F) heat and higher malaria risk November–March, but green landscapes and baby animals.

  • Highveld · Johannesburg, Pretoriacool

    At 1,750 m: afternoon thunderstorms in summer, sunny frosty winters.

  • KwaZulu-Natal coast · Durban, iSimangaliso, Hluhluwebest weather

    Warm sea all year; humid summers; winter is the best time for the parks.

  • Drakensberg · uKhahlamba-Drakensberg, Golden Gatecool

    Summer thunderstorms most afternoons; winter snow on the high peaks.

  • Atlantic Seaboard: Atlantic Seaboard coast · From Green Point to Cape Pointbest weather

    Mediterranean climate: dry summers (Dec–Feb), wet winters (Jun–Aug). Summer temperatures 20–28 °C (68–82 °F); winter 10–18 °C (50–64 °F). Strong south-easterly wind (the 'Cape Doctor') blows Nov–Feb, mostly in the afternoon.

  • Blaauwberg Coast: Blaauwberg Coast · West coast north of Cape Towncool

    Summer (Nov–Mar) is hot and windy; winter (Jun–Aug) is cool and wet with fewer wind days.

  • Summer (Dec–Feb) averages 30 °C (86 °F), peaks near 40 °C (104 °F). Winter (Jun–Aug) colder than the coast, light frost possible. Spring and autumn mild.

  • Warm and mild year-round; rain falls mostly in spring and autumn. Summer (Dec–Feb) is hot and busy.

  • Semi-desert: hot summer days, cold winter nights, and the best game viewing in the dry winter months.

  • False Bay: False Bay coast · Muizenberg to Gordon's Bayfine

    Mediterranean climate; summer (Dec–Feb) is warm and dry, winter (Jun–Aug) is cool and wet. Water temperature 14–20 °C (57–68 °F) year-round.

  • Free State: Free State highveld · Bloemfontein and the central plateaucool

    Summer rain falls as brief afternoon thunderstorms; winters are cold and dry with severe frost in Bloemfontein. The east (Harrismith, Bethlehem, Ficksburg) gets snow on the higher ranges.

  • Gauteng: Highveld (Johannesburg and Tshwane) · Whole province, about 1,700 mdry

    Summer rain falls as short, intense afternoon thunderstorms with lightning; winter nights drop to just above freezing while days stay comfortable. Tshwane runs 2–3 °C (4–5 °F) warmer than Johannesburg.

  • KwaZulu-Natal: Durban and the coast · Indian Ocean seaboard from the South Coast to Richards Bayfine

    Subtropical and humid; sea is warm enough to swim most of the year. Summer (Dec–Feb) is hot and wet with afternoon storms; winter (Jun–Aug) is mild and dry.

  • KwaZulu-Natal: Zululand and the far north · Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, iSimangaliso, Sodwana Baybest weather

    Best game viewing in the dry winter (May–Sep) when bush is thin; summer is green, hot and humid with malaria risk in the far north.

  • Cooler year-round; snow possible on high peaks Jun–Aug. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer — hike early.

  • Limpopo: Lowveld and Kruger north · Hoedspruit, Phalaborwa, Giyanibest weather

    Hot and humid October to March, with summer highs in the low 30s °C and Phalaborwa known to reach the mid 40s; the dry, mild winter from May to September is the best game-viewing window as vegetation thins.

  • Limpopo: Highveld and mountains · Polokwane, Tzaneen, Haenertsburg, Soutpansbergfine

    Summer temperatures around 27 °C (81 °F) and cooler nights up in the Soutpansberg; winter mornings can be cold at altitude.

  • Hot and humid in summer (Nov–Mar), with afternoon thunderstorms; winter (May–Aug) is dry, sunny and the best game-viewing window because the bush thins out. Nights can drop near freezing in June–July.

  • Cooler and wetter than the lowveld; mist and rain are common in summer, and winter mornings are cold — bring a jacket even in the lowveld's warm season.

  • North West Province: Highveld (whole province) · Rustenburg, Pilanesberg, Mahikengcool

    Summer (Oct–Apr) 17–31 °C (63–88 °F) with afternoon thunderstorms; winter (May–Aug) 3–21 °C (37–70 °F), dry and clear, cold at dawn on game drives.

  • Northern Cape: Namakwa and the N7 · Springbok, Namaqualandcool

    Winter-rainfall corner; wildflower season is roughly August to September and depends on that year's rain.

  • Northern Cape: Kalahari and Orange River · Upington, Kgalagadicool

    Best game viewing in the cool, dry months (May–Sep); summer days are very hot.

  • Year-round city stop; spring and autumn are the most comfortable.

  • Swartland: Swartland · Inland plainshot

    Winter (Jun–Aug) is the rainy season; summer (Dec–Feb) is dry and hot, 30–35 °C (86–95 °F). Spring (Aug–Sep) is best for wildflowers.

  • Cape Town17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days
  • Aberdeen19 °C (66 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 3 rain days
  • Addo19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Alexander Bay18 °C (64 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 3 rain days
  • Aliwal North17 °C (63 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 3 rain days
  • Amandawe21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 4 rain days
  • Amanzimtoti20 °C (68 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 3 rain days
  • Augrabies21 °C (70 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 1 rain days
  • Badplaas21 °C (70 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 3 rain days
  • Ballito20 °C (68 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 2 rain days
  • Barberton17 °C (63 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 3 rain days
  • Barkly West16 °C (61 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 1 rain days
  • Barrydale20 °C (68 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 4 rain days
  • Bathurst17 °C (63 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 3 rain days
  • Beaufort West18 °C (64 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 2 rain days
  • Belfast, Mpumalanga16 °C (61 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 2 rain days
  • Bergville19 °C (66 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 3 rain days
  • Bethlehem14 °C (57 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 3 rain days
  • Bitterfontein19 °C (66 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 1 rain days
  • Bloemfontein18 °C (64 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 2 rain days
  • Bloemhof19 °C (66 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 1 rain days
  • Bloubergstrand16 °C (61 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Blyde River Canyon19 °C (66 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 3 rain days
  • Boulders Beach17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 2 rain days
  • Caledon16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days
  • Camps Bay17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days
  • Centurion15 °C (59 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 2 rain days
  • Cintsa17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 2 rain days
  • Clarens17 °C (63 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 3 rain days
  • Coffee Bay20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 4 rain days
  • Colesberg18 °C (64 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 2 rain days
  • Cradock19 °C (66 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 2 rain days
  • Darling18 °C (64 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 10 rain days
  • Dullstroom18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days
  • Dundee19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 2 rain days
  • Durban23 °C (73 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 5 rain days
  • East London22 °C (72 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 4 rain days
  • Eshowe21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 5 rain days
  • Estcourt20 °C (68 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 3 rain days
  • Ficksburg14 °C (57 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 3 rain days
  • Fish Hoek18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 13 rain days
  • Franschhoek18 °C (64 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 11 rain days
  • Gansbaai17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 3 rain days
  • Gariep Dam17 °C (63 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 3 rain days
  • George17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Giyani25 °C (77 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 1 rain days
  • Gordon's Bay15 °C (59 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 10 rain days
  • Graaff-Reinet19 °C (66 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 3 rain days
  • Grahamstown17 °C (63 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 5 rain days
  • Graskop17 °C (63 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 3 rain days
  • Haenertsburg20 °C (68 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 3 rain days
  • Haga Haga20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 4 rain days
  • Hankey19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 2 rain days
  • Hartebeespoort19 °C (66 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 2 rain days
  • Hazyview23 °C (73 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 2 rain days
  • Hermanus15 °C (59 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 2 rain days
  • Hluhluwe20 °C (68 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 2 rain days
  • Hoedspruit20 °C (68 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 3 rain days
  • Hogsback14 °C (57 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 5 rain days
  • Hout Bay17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days
  • Howick18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 3 rain days
  • Humansdorp18 °C (64 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 5 rain days
  • Irene17 °C (63 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 2 rain days
  • Jansenville20 °C (68 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 3 rain days
  • Jeffreys Bay20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 6 rain days
  • Johannesburg15.8 °C (60 °F) / 3.5 °C (38 °F), 1 rain days
  • Kalk Bay17 °C (63 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 10 rain days
  • Kei Mouth19 °C (66 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 3 rain days
  • Kenton-on-Sea19 °C (66 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 6 rain days
  • Khayelitsha16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 2 rain days
  • Kimberley22 °C (72 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 0 rain days
  • King William's Town21 °C (70 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 4 rain days
  • Kleinmond17 °C (63 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 10 rain days
  • Klerksdorp22 °C (72 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 2 rain days
  • Knysna19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Komatipoort22 °C (72 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 2 rain days
  • Kommetjie16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 2 rain days
  • Koringberg18 °C (64 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 9 rain days
  • Kroonstad16 °C (61 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 7 rain days
  • Krugersdorp17 °C (63 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 2 rain days
  • Kuruman18 °C (64 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 2 rain days
  • Ladybrand16 °C (61 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 3 rain days
  • Ladysmith30 °C (86 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 6 rain days
  • Langebaan17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 2 rain days
  • Llandudno17 °C (63 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 11 rain days
  • Lydenburg19 °C (66 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 3 rain days
  • Machadodorp17 °C (63 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 5 rain days
  • Mahikeng19 °C (66 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 2 rain days
  • Malalane21 °C (70 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 2 rain days
  • Malmesbury17 °C (63 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 2 rain days
  • Margate, KwaZulu-Natal20 °C (68 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 2 rain days
  • Mbombela22 °C (72 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 2 rain days
  • Mdumbi19 °C (66 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 4 rain days
  • Melkbos16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 5 rain days
  • Middelburg, Eastern Cape16 °C (61 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 2 rain days
  • Milnerton15 °C (59 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 5 rain days
  • Montagu19 °C (66 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 2 rain days
  • Moorreesburg19 °C (66 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 10 rain days
  • Morgan's Bay22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 4 rain days
  • Mossel Bay19 °C (66 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days
  • Mpande22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 4 rain days
  • Mthatha20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days
  • Muizenberg18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 13 rain days
  • Nature's Valley17 °C (63 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days
  • Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 3 rain days
  • Nieu‑Bethesda26 °C (79 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 1 rain days
  • Noordhoek16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 2 rain days
  • Norvalspont17 °C (63 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 3 rain days
  • Ohrigstad21 °C (70 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 2 rain days
  • Orania16 °C (61 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 2 rain days
  • Oudtshoorn19 °C (66 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 5 rain days
  • Paarl18 °C (64 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 13 rain days
  • Parys16 °C (61 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 2 rain days
  • Patensie20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 3 rain days
  • Paternoster17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 11 rain days
  • Perdekop17 °C (63 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 2 rain days
  • Petrusville18 °C (64 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 1 rain days
  • Phalaborwa25 °C (77 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 1 rain days
  • Pietermaritzburg17 °C (63 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 5 rain days
  • Pilgrim's Rest20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 3 rain days
  • Plettenberg Bay19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Polokwane19 °C (66 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 3 rain days
  • Port Alfred17 °C (63 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 5 rain days
  • Port Elizabeth20 °C (68 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 7 rain days
  • Port St Johns22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 4 rain days
  • Potchefstroom20 °C (68 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 2 rain days
  • Pretoria21 °C (70 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 1 rain days
  • Prince Albert18 °C (64 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 3 rain days
  • Qolora21 °C (70 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 5 rain days
  • Queenstown, Eastern Cape17 °C (63 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 3 rain days
  • Richards Bay21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 4 rain days
  • Riebeek-Kasteel18 °C (64 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 11 rain days
  • Rooiels16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 12 rain days
  • Rustenburg21 °C (70 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 1 rain days
  • Sabie19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 4 rain days
  • Saldanha16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days
  • Schoemanskloof22 °C (72 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 3 rain days
  • Scottburgh22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 2 rain days
  • Secunda18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 4 rain days
  • Simon's Town18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 11 rain days
  • Sodwana Bay21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 2 rain days
  • Somerset East19 °C (66 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 6 rain days
  • Somerset West17 °C (63 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 8 rain days
  • Springbok22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 1 rain days
  • St Francis20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 6 rain days
  • St Lucia21 °C (70 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 4 rain days
  • Stellenbosch18 °C (64 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 12 rain days
  • Storms River19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Strand17 °C (63 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days
  • Sun City19 °C (66 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 2 rain days
  • Sutherland16 °C (61 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 3 rain days
  • Swellendam18 °C (64 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 10 rain days
  • Taung20 °C (68 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 1 rain days
  • Thohoyandou23 °C (73 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 2 rain days
  • Tsitsikamma19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Tulbagh18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 10 rain days
  • Tzaneen19 °C (66 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 2 rain days
  • Umhlanga20 °C (68 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 2 rain days
  • Upington18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 6 rain days
  • Vanderkloof20 °C (68 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 1 rain days
  • Ventersburg19 °C (66 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 2 rain days
  • Vereeniging19 °C (66 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 2 rain days
  • Vredefort18 °C (64 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 2 rain days
  • Vryburg20 °C (68 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 1 rain days
  • Vryheid20 °C (68 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 2 rain days
  • Wartrail and New England13 °C (55 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 2 rain days
  • Waterval Boven18 °C (64 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 6 rain days
  • Welkom26 °C (79 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 2 rain days
  • White River25 °C (77 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 5 rain days
  • Wilderness17 °C (63 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 5 rain days
  • Witbank20 °C (68 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 2 rain days
  • Worcester18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 2 rain days
  • Wupperthal18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 7 rain days
  • Xora19 °C (66 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 4 rain days
  • Yzerfontein16 °C (61 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 2 rain days

Festivals and holidays

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.

  • Whale season

    Cape Town

    Land-based whale watching; peaks Aug–Sep.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · South Africa
Medium
Prices · South Africa
Medium

Compare two months

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

  • Verdict

    Jul: Mixed

    Apr: Great (better)

  • Crowds

    Jul: Medium

    Apr: Medium

  • Prices

    Jul: Medium

    Apr: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    Jul: 1

    Apr: 4

July: Wettest Cape month; best Kruger visibility. Whales arrive off Hermanus.

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

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

What to pack

  • Layers: a fleece or light jacket
  • A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in July

Rated best or good this month

  • Kruger and the Lowveld

    Best weather of the year (Kruger, Sabi Sand, Timbavati, Panorama Route)

  • KwaZulu-Natal coast

    Best weather of the year (Durban, iSimangaliso, Hluhluwe)

  • Amandawe

    Best months: Apr–Sep (dry, mild)

  • Amanzimtoti

    Best months: Apr–Oct

  • Badplaas

    Best months: Apr–Sep (dry, mild)

  • Ballito

    Best months: May–Oct (warm, lower rain, good surf)

  • Barberton

    Best months: Apr–Oct

  • Barkly West

    Best months: Apr–Oct (dry, cooler days)

  • Bathurst

    Best months: Apr–Oct (check)

  • Bethlehem

    Best months: Apr–Oct

  • Bloemhof

    Best months: Apr–Sep (cool, dry, good game viewing)

  • Bloubergstrand

    Best months: May–Oct