Best Travel Time for South Africa

By | April 13, 2021

According to healthinclude, South Africa is best known for breathtaking landscapes and the Big Five. Anyone in South Africa should not miss a safari, for example in the Kruger National Park in the north-east of the country. Observe lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, leopards and many other wild animals in their habitat. The South African winter months of June , July , August , September and October are considered the best travel time for a South Africa safari. The reason: The game reserves and national parks are not overgrown and the animals are easier to observe as a result. In addition, the dry season ensures that the animals move to the watering holes. Furthermore, the temperatures are not too hot as in the South African summer months. The disadvantage of this travel time are the cold nights. The so-called morning drives and night drives are popular with tourists.

Best travel time for Cape Town

Cape Town , English for Cape Town, is located on the southwest coast of South Africa. The South African metropolis is a popular holiday destination for tourists. The months of December, January and February in particular are considered the best time to travel to Cape Town . These months represent the South African summer. Hot temperatures and low humidity – a perfect summer holiday awaits you. Others prefer October , November , March and April as the best time to visit Cape Town . These are the times of the South African spring and autumn with a pleasant climate. The temperatures are not too hot and are ideal for exploring Cape Town and the surrounding Cape region . In spring everything blooms on the coast in its full splendor. In October and November the wind can be stronger than in the other months.

But that doesn’t detract from a dream trip. In winter, from June to September, it can get extremely fresh and wet in Cape Town and the Cape Region. If you stick to the months of September, October, November or December as the best travel time for Cape Town, you’re doing everything right. In a detailed article you get detailed information about the best travel time for Cape Town .

Best travel time for the Garden Route

The Garden Route is one of the most popular routes for a rental car trip. Similar to the Cape region and Cape Town, there is a maritime climate in this coastal region in the south. In summer you can look forward to fantastic temperatures and the winter months are mild. Strong winds, which prevail in Cape Town, are rare on the Garden Route. However, it rains here frequently and a lot in the winter months. If you want to explore the Garden Route in all its beauty, you should consider spring or summer in South Africa. The months of October , November , December , January and February are considered the best travel time for the Garden Route, March and April . It can get extremely hot in summer. Perfect for swimming in a sheltered cove. Alternatively, you can cool off with occasional rain showers.

Note that there is a lot going on on the Garden Route in December and January because of the high season and holiday season.

Climate table for George (largest city on the Garden Route)

Jan Feb March Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Max. Temperature in ° C 24.5 24.5 23.5 22 20.5 19.5 18.5 18.5 19 20 21.5 23
Min. Temperature in ° C 14.5 15 14 11.5 9.5 8 7 7.5 8.5 10 12 13
Hours of sunshine per day 7.5 7.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 7 7 7 7 7.5 7.5
Rainy days per month 8 8 9 7 6.5 6 6 7 7.5 9 8 7.5

My conclusion on the best travel time for South Africa

As you can see from the different climatic and weather conditions in the different regions, there is not the optimal travel time for South Africa . In order to still find the best travel time for yourself, make a plan beforehand of what you want to see in South Africa. Then the decision for the travel time is made. For a safari in the Kruger National Park, for example, the months June to October are suitable. For a trip to Cape Town you should choose the months September to November. The months October to April are suitable for the popular Garden Route. If you plan the corresponding trips in other months than recommended, you don’t have to worry about bad weather conditions. Overall, South Africa is a year-round travel destination!

South Africa Attractions