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When to go · South Africa

South Africa in September

Great month. Cape spring and flowers, whales in Walker Bay, Kruger at its driest. Heritage Day 24 Sep.

Key facts

Verdict
Great
Crowds
Medium
South Africa
Prices
Medium
South Africa

Verdict

GreatVoykit month rating for South Africa

Cape spring and flowers, whales in Walker Bay, Kruger at its driest. Heritage Day 24 Sep.

Is another month better than September?

No other month rates higher than September for South Africa in this guide.

Weather in September

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

    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, Tsitsikammafine

    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, Pretoriabest weather

    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 Gatefine

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

  • Atlantic Seaboard: Atlantic Seaboard coast · From Green Point to Cape Pointfine

    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 Townfine

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

  • Breede River Valley: Breede River Valley · Inland Western Capefine

    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.

  • Eastern Cape: Inland (Graaff-Reinet, Karoo) · Karoo plateaubest weather

    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 plateaubest weather

    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 mfine

    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 Baybest weather

    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.

  • KwaZulu-Natal: Drakensberg and Midlands · Inland highlandsbest weather

    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, Giyanifine

    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, Soutpansbergbest weather

    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, Mahikengbest weather

    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, Namaqualandbest weather

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

  • Northern Cape: Kalahari and Orange River · Upington, Kgalagadibest weather

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

  • Northern Cape: Diamond Fields · Kimberleybest weather

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

  • Swartland: Swartland · Inland plainsfine

    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 Town19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Aberdeen24 °C (75 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 4 rain days
  • Addo22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Alexander Bay21 °C (70 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 2 rain days
  • Aliwal North23 °C (73 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 5 rain days
  • Amandawe23 °C (73 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 7 rain days
  • Amanzimtoti22 °C (72 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 5 rain days
  • Augrabies28 °C (82 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 1 rain days
  • Badplaas25 °C (77 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 6 rain days
  • Ballito22 °C (72 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 3 rain days
  • Barberton20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 5 rain days
  • Barkly West18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 2 rain days
  • Barrydale24 °C (75 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 4 rain days
  • Bathurst20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 5 rain days
  • Beaufort West24 °C (75 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 3 rain days
  • Belfast, Mpumalanga21 °C (70 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 5 rain days
  • Bergville25 °C (77 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 6 rain days
  • Bethlehem18 °C (64 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 4 rain days
  • Bitterfontein22 °C (72 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 1 rain days
  • Bloemfontein25 °C (77 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 3 rain days
  • Bloemhof26 °C (79 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 2 rain days
  • Bloubergstrand19 °C (66 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 7 rain days
  • Blyde River Canyon22 °C (72 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 4 rain days
  • Boulders Beach20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 3 rain days
  • Caledon19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 7 rain days
  • Camps Bay19 °C (66 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days
  • Centurion19 °C (66 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 3 rain days
  • Cintsa20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 3 rain days
  • Clarens23 °C (73 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 5 rain days
  • Coffee Bay22 °C (72 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 7 rain days
  • Colesberg25 °C (77 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 3 rain days
  • Cradock22 °C (72 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 3 rain days
  • Darling21 °C (70 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 7 rain days
  • Dullstroom19 °C (66 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 8 rain days
  • Dundee20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 3 rain days
  • Durban24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days
  • East London22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 6 rain days
  • Eshowe24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 7 rain days
  • Estcourt25 °C (77 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 6 rain days
  • Ficksburg20 °C (68 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 5 rain days
  • Fish Hoek19 °C (66 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 9 rain days
  • Franschhoek21 °C (70 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 7 rain days
  • Gansbaai20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 5 rain days
  • Gariep Dam23 °C (73 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 4 rain days
  • George20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days
  • Giyani30 °C (86 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 3 rain days
  • Gordon's Bay18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days
  • Graaff-Reinet24 °C (75 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 4 rain days
  • Grahamstown20 °C (68 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 6 rain days
  • Graskop21 °C (70 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 6 rain days
  • Haenertsburg25 °C (77 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 4 rain days
  • Haga Haga21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 6 rain days
  • Hankey22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 3 rain days
  • Hartebeespoort21 °C (70 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 3 rain days
  • Hazyview27 °C (81 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 4 rain days
  • Hermanus18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 3 rain days
  • Hluhluwe23 °C (73 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 3 rain days
  • Hoedspruit23 °C (73 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days
  • Hogsback18 °C (64 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 7 rain days
  • Hout Bay19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Howick20 °C (68 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 5 rain days
  • Humansdorp20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days
  • Irene20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 2 rain days
  • Jansenville25 °C (77 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 4 rain days
  • Jeffreys Bay21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Johannesburg23.6 °C (74 °F) / 9.8 °C (50 °F), 2 rain days
  • Kalk Bay19 °C (66 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 6 rain days
  • Kei Mouth22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 5 rain days
  • Kenton-on-Sea20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 5 rain days
  • Khayelitsha18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 4 rain days
  • Kimberley26 °C (79 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 0 rain days
  • King William's Town23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Kleinmond19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Klerksdorp24 °C (75 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 3 rain days
  • Knysna20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days
  • Komatipoort25 °C (77 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 3 rain days
  • Kommetjie19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 3 rain days
  • Koringberg22 °C (72 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 6 rain days
  • Kroonstad20 °C (68 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 5 rain days
  • Krugersdorp20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 3 rain days
  • Kuruman21 °C (70 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 4 rain days
  • Ladybrand20 °C (68 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 5 rain days
  • Ladysmith29 °C (84 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 7 rain days
  • Langebaan20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 3 rain days
  • Llandudno19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Lydenburg22 °C (72 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 5 rain days
  • Machadodorp20 °C (68 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 7 rain days
  • Mahikeng22 °C (72 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 3 rain days
  • Malalane24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 5 rain days
  • Malmesbury19 °C (66 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 3 rain days
  • Margate, KwaZulu-Natal23 °C (73 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 3 rain days
  • Mbombela26 °C (79 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 5 rain days
  • Mdumbi21 °C (70 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days
  • Melkbos19 °C (66 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 5 rain days
  • Middelburg, Eastern Cape22 °C (72 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 4 rain days
  • Milnerton18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 4 rain days
  • Montagu20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 3 rain days
  • Moorreesburg23 °C (73 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 7 rain days
  • Morgan's Bay23 °C (73 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 6 rain days
  • Mossel Bay20 °C (68 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Mpande23 °C (73 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 7 rain days
  • Mthatha23 °C (73 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days
  • Muizenberg20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 9 rain days
  • Nature's Valley19 °C (66 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days
  • Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 6 rain days
  • Nieu‑Bethesda27 °C (81 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 1 rain days
  • Noordhoek18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 3 rain days
  • Norvalspont24 °C (75 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 4 rain days
  • Ohrigstad26 °C (79 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 3 rain days
  • Orania18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 2 rain days
  • Oudtshoorn23 °C (73 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 5 rain days
  • Paarl22 °C (72 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Parys20 °C (68 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 3 rain days
  • Patensie24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 4 rain days
  • Paternoster20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 6 rain days
  • Perdekop22 °C (72 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 5 rain days
  • Petrusville25 °C (77 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 2 rain days
  • Phalaborwa29 °C (84 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 2 rain days
  • Pietermaritzburg21 °C (70 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 7 rain days
  • Pilgrim's Rest23 °C (73 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 6 rain days
  • Plettenberg Bay20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days
  • Polokwane22 °C (72 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 4 rain days
  • Port Alfred20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 4 rain days
  • Port Elizabeth20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 7 rain days
  • Port St Johns23 °C (73 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days
  • Potchefstroom25 °C (77 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 4 rain days
  • Pretoria27 °C (81 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 3 rain days
  • Prince Albert23 °C (73 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 3 rain days
  • Qolora23 °C (73 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 8 rain days
  • Queenstown, Eastern Cape23 °C (73 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 5 rain days
  • Richards Bay23 °C (73 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 7 rain days
  • Riebeek-Kasteel21 °C (70 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Rooiels18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Rustenburg28 °C (82 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 3 rain days
  • Sabie22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Saldanha19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days
  • Schoemanskloof29 °C (84 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 5 rain days
  • Scottburgh24 °C (75 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 3 rain days
  • Secunda22 °C (72 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days
  • Simon's Town20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days
  • Sodwana Bay22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 3 rain days
  • Somerset East21 °C (70 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 5 rain days
  • Somerset West19 °C (66 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 5 rain days
  • Springbok23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 1 rain days
  • St Francis21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • St Lucia23 °C (73 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 7 rain days
  • Stellenbosch21 °C (70 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days
  • Storms River20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days
  • Strand19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days
  • Sun City22 °C (72 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 4 rain days
  • Sutherland21 °C (70 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 3 rain days
  • Swellendam21 °C (70 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days
  • Taung27 °C (81 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 2 rain days
  • Thohoyandou27 °C (81 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 3 rain days
  • Tsitsikamma21 °C (70 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days
  • Tulbagh22 °C (72 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days
  • Tzaneen22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 5 rain days
  • Umhlanga22 °C (72 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 3 rain days
  • Upington22 °C (72 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 4 rain days
  • Vanderkloof27 °C (81 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 2 rain days
  • Ventersburg26 °C (79 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 4 rain days
  • Vereeniging22 °C (72 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 3 rain days
  • Vredefort25 °C (77 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 3 rain days
  • Vryburg27 °C (81 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 3 rain days
  • Vryheid24 °C (75 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 5 rain days
  • Wartrail and New England18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 3 rain days
  • Waterval Boven21 °C (70 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 5 rain days
  • Welkom27 °C (81 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 3 rain days
  • White River26 °C (79 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 4 rain days
  • Wilderness20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 5 rain days
  • Witbank25 °C (77 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 3 rain days
  • Worcester22 °C (72 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 3 rain days
  • Wupperthal22 °C (72 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 5 rain days
  • Xora20 °C (68 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 6 rain days
  • Yzerfontein19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 3 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.

  • Heritage Day

    24 Sep

    Also 'National Braai Day'; long weekend travel.

  • 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

    Sep: Great

    Apr: Great

  • Crowds

    Sep: Medium

    Apr: Medium

  • Prices

    Sep: Medium

    Apr: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    Sep: 2

    Apr: 4

September: Cape spring and flowers, whales in Walker Bay, Kruger at its driest. Heritage Day 24 Sep.

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

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in September

Rated best or good this month

  • Kruger and the Lowveld

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

  • Highveld

    Best weather of the year (Johannesburg, Pretoria)

  • KwaZulu-Natal coast

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

  • Cape Town

    Spring starts; wildflowers and improving weather.

  • Aberdeen

    Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov

  • Alexander Bay

    Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov

  • Aliwal North

    Best months: Sep–Apr

  • Amandawe

    Best months: Apr–Sep (dry, mild)

  • Amanzimtoti

    Best months: Apr–Oct

  • Augrabies

    Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Oct

  • Badplaas

    Best months: Apr–Sep (dry, mild)

  • Ballito

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