A month-by-month travel guide to South Africa
Ever wondered when is the best time to travel to South Africa? Whether you are an international traveller visiting for the first time or a local looking to plan your perfect South African holiday, there is a multitude of holiday destinations in South Africa all year round!
January
Cape Town is the place to be during the festive season. It boasts lovely summer weather during January, with sunny days and picturesque sunsets. Cape Town is overflowing with things to do, from adventurous activities like abseiling and surfing, to exquisite wine tastings at the many famous vineyards in the Cape.
February
February is the hottest month of the year, filled with dry heat waves in the Western Cape and tropical rainstorms in the country’s northern regions. The best area to ride out the heat is the Garden Route. With the refreshing Atlantic Ocean breeze, any coastal town along the Garden Route is bound to help you keep cool! The Garden Route is also home to many activities, ranging from the longest over-ocean zipline to Big 5 safaris.
March
March is the beginning of Autumn and has beautiful warm days, followed by cool evenings. This makes it perfect for avid hikers to explore the lost corners of South Africa, in beautiful hiking locations like the Drakensberg Mountains, the Natal Midlands and the Garden Route National Park.
April
With Autumn in full swing, the ideal destination for travellers is the Karoo. The semi-desert climate of the Karoo offers warm, sunny days and cool starry nights. You can explore the beauty of the Karoo with harvest festivals like the Klein Karoo Nationale Kunstefees or even enjoy a Big 5 safari at the luxurious Aquila Private Game Reserve.
May
May is the perfect time of year to grab your safari hat and visit some of the amazing game reserves in the South African Bushveld. While the rest of the country feels the chill of winter, the Kruger Lowveld remains delightfully warm, making it the prime time for game viewing. Safaris are the best activity to embark on and the Kruger National Park hosts a wide variety of safaris for visitors.
June
While some people might find the cold weather fun, some would prefer a tropical getaway during the chilly weather. Durban boasts a sub-tropical climate, making it the ultimate destination for the winter holidays. Durban has the warmest ocean in the country and relaxing in the warm water is the best way to avoid the cold winter weather.
July
Many South Africans never get the opportunity to see a ‘White Christmas’, seeing snow in July is more common than you’d expect in certain parts of the county! Visiting mountainous areas like Matroosberg Private Nature Reserve, Cederberg and Cathedral Peak gives you a good chance of seeing snow up close.
August
With spring around the corner, the top destination for wildflower enthusiasts in Namaqualand is the West Coast National Park. The Namaqualand Flower Route boasts a multitude of colours and flowers, making it ideal for a road trip with stops for photoshoots and picnics. For the more adventurous travellers, an e-bike tour of the West Coast National Park is perfect for wildlife viewing.
September
September is the best time of the year to partake in whale watching on the Whale Coast. Small towns like Hermanus, Witsand and Gansbaai host several activities for visitors, including the famous Hermanus Whale Festival. Read more about whale watching in South Africa in our blog here.
October
October presents the return of warmer weather, and there are many places fit for visitors to travel to. One destination to add to your travel bucket list in South Africa is Gauteng. What makes October in Gauteng so special is the blooming of the Jacaranda trees. The vibrant purple blossoms on the Jacaranda trees are a sight to behold, spanning kilometres of streets in Pretoria, otherwise known as Jacaranda City. Gauteng also has a wide selection of activities, including river rafting, axe throwing, hot air ballooning and more!
November
With summery weather on the rise, the perfect location for your November holiday is one often overlooked. Ficksburg, also dubbed the Cherry Town of South Africa, is the jewel of the Free State during November. Home to the Ficksburg Cherry Festival, this small town is jam-packed with things to do and cherries to pick!
December
December is the start of the festive season in South Africa and the best location to visit is any coastal area in the country. Popular beaches like Cape Town and Durban get flooded by tourists, but there are many smaller gems along South Africa’s coast that will make your festive holiday one to remember for a lifetime!
Looking to plan a fabulous holiday in South Africa? Visit www.tours-tickets.co.za for activities that will put the WOW in your holiday!
