When Is The Best Time To Visit South Africa

Introduction:

The ideal time for visiting South Africa is from May to September as winter sets in the northern parts of the country. The average temperature of the area is from 22 to 33 degrees Celsius. If you want to capture photographs of some big game, this would be the most suitable time. 

However, the best time to visit South Africa depends on where you what region in the country you want to visit. The Cape is characterized by hot and dry weather in the summer months with average temperatures between 23 to 26 degrees Celsius. If you are a whale enthusiast, the best time for visiting the Cape (Cape Town) would be between November and February. 

Well, that depends where you want to go. The temperatures are warmer in the north than the south. The Western Cape enjoys renown for receiving rainfall in winter. Just like before any trip, we have to plan, and South Africa is no exception. However, for your convenience, the coast that faces the Indian Ocean feels tropical whilet the one that faces the Atlantic Ocean is milder. Hot desert winds and cold fogs can still surprise you.

South Africa offers enviable opportunities to get up close with wildlife. But there is much more to this country, there are festivals galore. This article aims to give you a peek of what you can potentially experience in South Africa, wildlife and festivals combined. You can tick all the boxes in one single trip, even if you travel frugally.

Peak Season For Visiting South Africa:

November to March is summer in South Africa, and this is the time for festivals in the country. The temperature during the day is usually 32 degrees Celsius. Since this is a time when footfall is insanely high, the hotels are booked months in advance. The prices for the same also become 50% higher generally during peak season. 

However, if you have the money to travel to South Africa during this time, be prepared to experience the festivals and events that the country is popular for. One of them is the ‘AFROPUNK’, a multi-day music festival where the lineup consists of some of the most popular artists in the world. It starts in December.

The annual Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, which is locally known as ‘Kaapse Klopse’. It is a street parade that started in the mid-1800s and remembers how the country overthrew apartheid. 

There is also the AfrikaBurn festival held in the Tankwa Karoo National Park during May and June. The KwaZulu beaches can also be a great escape from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives.

The Pride Festival of Cape Town is either held in late February or Early March. The Cape Town Cycle Tour attracts cyclists from all over the globe. There’s another festival called the Klein Karoo Nasional Kunstefees, which is one of South Africa’s biggest art festivals. It is held in Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape.

The Western Cape is not just about the art festival. The Lowveld and the Highveld are its two regions. The former stands between 150 and 610 meters (492 and 2001 feet) above sea level and consists of open, verdant grassland and wooded areas. This area boasts a green scenery and is warm. In contrast, the Lowveld is warmer and the Highveld is situated at a lower altitude.

For Wildlife Enthusiasts:

The period between the peak and off-peak periods sees South Africa attract a smaller number of tourists. As much as the peak season has its share of festivals, there is one highlight that is a crowd-puller in the period in April, the Splashy Fen Music Festival, which is held in Durban. April and May are apt for experiencing the wildlife. Africa and the wild and synonymous and people who like animals have often come across magazines and programs about the African wild. Fall hits South Africa in these months and the animals also come out in the open, given that it is the end of the dry summer. This is a great time to see the Impala, which can be seen a lot in the country. You can see the antelopes locking horns literally if you visit the country in April.

Are You A Budget Traveler?

f you are frugal and like to keep an eye on your spending on the go, you can still have a gala time in South Africa. Winter here lasts from June to August and attracts fewer tourists. The prices also go down. In the rainy season, too, there is still a lot of sunshine in the Western Cape and Cape Town. The other parts of the country experience drier winters where the conditions can be good for safaris. The nights can be chilly and the dawns can be cold so you better have clothes that can withstand the drop in temperature. 

One of the popular winter festivals is the National Arts Festival which is held in June in the Eastern Cape and Knysna’s 10-Day Oyster Festival that will be held from 21st June to 30th June, 2024.

Winter Is For The Game Reserves:

If you plan on going to South Africa for the safari, try to go at a time when there is no possibility of rain. The Kruger National Park is in the northern part of the country and the best time to visit the reserve is during the winter months of May to September. This is when the attraction is at its driest. It may not have greenery but you may see plenty of animals converging to water holes. 

You may experience little to no mosquitoes thanks to the cold winter nights. In the Western Cape, the summer months are drier and busy thanks to Christmas. If you are traveling with children, then you can make the most of their Christmas holidays.

For Whale Watchers:

In the spring months of September and October, you can enjoy whale watching to your heart’s content in Hermanus. It is one of the most sought-after places in the world for watching whales. You can spot whales using boats too but they come particularly close to Hermanus. The town enjoys recognition from the World Wildlife Fund as the premier place for watching whales. The time of wildflowers starts in late August in the north and early September in the South. However, depending on the rains, blooms can also start appearing from July and if it’s not too hot, you can see the flowers blooming till October as well. 

Durban is a great place to see whales in May and June. The sardines attract a lot of whales. Between June and November, southern right whales and humpbacks breed in the warmer climates of Mozambique and Madagascar. Off the southern and eastern beaches of South Africa, dolphins and whales can be seen all year round, although September and October are the ideal times to watch them.

Conclusion:

We have covered everything that South Africa has to offer, starting from festivals to wildlife, and the best time to visit this beautiful country. People traveling on a budget can make the most of this piece. You can visit the fabulous Pilanesburg National Park which is northwest of Johannesburg. Here, you can see all of Africa’s ‘Big 5’ in their natural habitats. Prior planning is required for whatever you have in mind for your tour. We hope you have the time of your lives in the country and make memories that will last a lifetime.