South Africa is one of Africa’s most visited countries, and for good reason. It is a land of natural and cultural diversity that offers something for every kind of visitor.

Cape Town is a cultural hub. Climb the iconic Table Mountain for a view of the city and sea; visit the colourful Bo-kaap Muslim quarter; wander the bustling waterfront; and drink fantastic local wines in Stellenbosch and Paarl. Johannesburg in the north also offers cultural marvels such as tours of Nelson Mandela’s house in Soweto and the Apartheid Museum.

South Africa has a plethora of natural wonders, including Kruger National Park which is home to the Big Five African animals – lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhino. See the rolling dunes and ostrich on the East Cape; explore the wild coast of Transkye; cruise the river with hippo and crocodiles in St Lucia; hit the beach and surf in Durban; go spelunking in the Cango Caves; or go cage diving with the world’s biggest great white sharks off the southern coast.

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We provide bespoke itineraries to ensure your perfect trip. Stay in the best hotels and visit the best attractions.

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Best time to visit

Travel Guide

  • JAn
  • FEb
  • MAr
  • APr
  • MAy
  • JUn
  • JUl
  • AUg
  • SEp
  • OCt
  • NOv
  • DEc

Visiting South Africa in January

Peak summer in the Cape – hot and dry, perfect for beaches and wine tours. Kruger is green and humid with afternoon storms.

Events

  • Cape Town Minstrel Carnival (2 January)

Visiting South Africa in February

Still hot and dry in Cape Town and along the Garden Route – a great month for the Winelands.

Events

  • February half term

Visiting South Africa in March

Warm days and fewer crowds make this one of the best months for Cape Town.

Events

  • Human Rights Day (21 March)

Visiting South Africa in April

Autumn brings mild, settled weather and the Winelands harvest – a good Easter choice for combining Cape Town with a safari.

Events

  • Easter
  • Freedom Day (27 April)

Visiting South Africa in May

The dry season starts in Kruger and wildlife becomes easier to spot as the bush thins.

Events

  • Safari season begins

Visiting South Africa in June

Winter – cooler and wetter in Cape Town, but dry with excellent game viewing in Kruger.

Events

  • Youth Day (16 June)
  • Whales arrive along the Cape coast

Visiting South Africa in July

Prime safari time, with crisp mornings and sunny days. Pair it with whale watching in Hermanus.

Events

  • Knysna Oyster Festival
  • UK summer holidays

Visiting South Africa in August

Some of the best game viewing of the year, and wildflowers bloom along the west coast.

Events

  • Namaqualand wildflower season (August to September)

Visiting South Africa in September

Spring arrives, with peak whale watching and good safari conditions.

Events

  • Heritage Day (24 September)
  • Hermanus Whale Festival (late September or early October)

Visiting South Africa in October

Warm and increasingly dry in the Cape, with whales still offshore. Book early for October half term.

Events

  • October half term

Visiting South Africa in November

Early summer, with long sunny days in Cape Town and baby animals in Kruger.

Events

  • Safari calving season

Visiting South Africa in December

South Africa's summer holidays make Cape Town and the Garden Route busy – book well ahead for Christmas.

Events

  • Day of Reconciliation (16 December)
  • Christmas

Climate Chart

Destination Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Cape Town
29°C
8mm		 28°C
8mm		 26°C
11mm		 25°C
32mm		 21°C
40mm		 17°C
92mm		 19°C
45mm		 18°C
68mm		 19°C
37mm		 25°C
20mm		 24°C
19mm		 25°C
15mm
Durban
27°C
67mm		 28°C
56mm		 27°C
60mm		 25°C
29mm		 24°C
29mm		 22°C
9mm		 22°C
22mm		 23°C
20mm		 24°C
31mm		 25°C
54mm		 25°C
65mm		 27°C
78mm
Johannesburg
31°C
85mm		 30°C
54mm		 31°C
42mm		 24°C
18mm		 23°C
6mm		 19°C
4mm		 20°C
1mm		 23°C
2mm		 27°C
7mm		 29°C
46mm		 30°C
53mm		 31°C
70mm
Knysna
25°C
16mm		 25°C
15mm		 25°C
18mm		 22°C
22mm		 22°C
16mm		 19°C
35mm		 20°C
30mm		 20°C
28mm		 19°C
23mm		 22°C
27mm		 22°C
24mm		 24°C
16mm
Kruger National Park
31°C
72mm		 30°C
48mm		 31°C
30mm		 24°C
11mm		 23°C
3mm		 19°C
1mm		 20°C
0mm		 23°C
1mm		 27°C
4mm		 29°C
41mm		 30°C
37mm		 32°C
66mm
Plenttenburg
31°C
72mm		 30°C
48mm		 31°C
30mm		 24°C
11mm		 23°C
3mm		 19°C
1mm		 20°C
0mm		 23°C
1mm		 27°C
4mm		 29°C
41mm		 30°C
37mm		 32°C
66mm
Port Elizabeth
27°C
21mm		 27°C
27mm		 27°C
30mm		 25°C
21mm		 23°C
14mm		 20°C
26mm		 21°C
28mm		 22°C
21mm		 21°C
21mm		 23°C
30mm		 24°C
23mm		 25°C
24mm
Stellenbosch
29°C
11mm		 29°C
9mm		 27°C
12mm		 25°C
36mm		 21°C
33mm		 17°C
96mm		 18°C
45mm		 18°C
68mm		 19°C
37mm		 26°C
20mm		 26°C
22mm		 27°C
16mm
The Battlefields
33°C
84mm		 31°C
78mm		 31°C
60mm		 25°C
17mm		 25°C
7mm		 21°C
7mm		 22°C
5mm		 25°C
16mm		 29°C
16mm		 30°C
38mm		 32°C
52mm		 34°C
84mm