Best time to visit in South Africa

Wondering what is the best time to visit South Africa? Well, the answer to this question is usually confusing because South Africa is a large country and the climate varies regionally. As South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere, the weather is often opposite of what you would find in the Northern Hemisphere.

You can opt for South Africa group tour packages anytime as it is actually a year-round destination, though different parts of the country are attractive at different times of the year depending on the climate. To experience the best of wildlife one must travel between June to October. You can choose the timings of your trip according to what interest you most. For the area of Cape, the prime season is from November to March which are the hotter summer months.

Main Seasons of South Africa
- Summer: mid-October to mid-February
- Autumn: mid-February to April
- Winter: May to July
- Spring: August to mid-October

Top Events
- Wildlife Watching: July
- Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts: November
- Whale Watching: September
- Oyster Festival: July
- Jo’burg festivals: September

Have a look at our other South Africa Tour Packages!

Month by month: Best time to visit South Africa.

January
In the month of January, South Africans flock to tourist areas including the coasts and major parks during summer school holidays starting from early December to mid-January. During this month one must book accommodation and transport in advance as last minute bookings will be expensive.

Events

Cape Town Minstrel Carnival
Cape Town Minstrel Carnival is also known as KaapseKlopse among the locals. It is the mother city’s New Year celebration which begins with a carnival on 2nd January and continues for a month. It is taken out by troupes full of satin and sequin-clad minstrels, ribald song and dance regimes and so much more. 

February
Summer continues in the month of February with people strolling the beaches, enjoying half-price cable cars up to Table Mountain for sunset, and lightning storms in Jo’burg. Elephants are busy munching marula trees while the baby antelope, zebras, and giraffes cavort in the parks. 

Events

Hands-on Harvest
Hands-on harvest is organized to bud vintners at the Robertson’s four annual festivals and the sample results. This event include activities like grape picking and drilling, wine mixing, food pairing, vineyard safaris etc. 

March
March is when the summer season rolls towards autumn even though days are still sunny, a little steamy and landscapes are green. This season is good for beach bumming, walking in the Western Cape. This is when cultural and music festivals take place in Capetown and Jo’burg.

Events

Cape Town Cycle Tour
Cape Town Cycle Tour is a 109 km spin around the Cape Peninsula and is the world’s biggest timed cycling event. More than 30,000 contestants participate including serious racers to costumed Capetonians. There is also a mountain biking task in the Winelands around the same duration.

April

Around Easter, there is a two-week school holiday is April which is usually regarded as the initial phase of autumn season. In April the temperatures drop and the wildlife watching in the bushveld begins to look really attractive than beach bumming.

Events

Afrika Burn
Africa’s contribution in the global calendar of festivals influenced by the USA’s burning man is a subcultural blowout. Art installations and themed camps are organized in  a corner of Tankwa Karoo into a surreal paradise. 

July
Winter brings rain to the Cape and the clouds to the Table Mountain. Northern regions experience fresh, sunny days and clear night skies. June to September are the low season time apart from June to mid-July school holiday.

Events

Wildlife Watching
The perfect time for wildlife watching is when the climate is cool and dry similar to winter weather. Thirsty animals assemble at waterholes and greenery is scattered making it easy to spot wildlife. Low temperature make comfortable northern areas such as the bushveld and Kalahari more delightful.

Oyster Festival
Oyster festival is not for the vegetarians. Knysna celebrates 10 day oyster orgy which features seafood oriented events on the South African coastline. The celebration includes oyster eating and shucking competitions, wine tastings, a mountain bike race and the Knysna Marathon.

National Arts Festival
National Arts Festival in South Africa will make you feel its creative pulse held over 10 days in early July in Grahamstown. Participants from every possible corner gather at one location and Fingo Village Township holds an associated festival.

Open J Bay
The winter months allows big waves to the Eastern Cape and Jeffery’s Bay holds its international Open JBay surf competition. It is a part of 10 day Winter Fest in mid-July where the contest is at the famous Supertubes attracting numerous spectators. At this time the accommodation turns to be expensive. Book early.

September
September is when winter starts allowing way to spring. This is when cherry trees bloom in the Free State Highlands in September and October. This season leads to dry months for wildlife watching. School holiday begin from late September to early October.

Events

Namakwa Wildflower
In August end and early September nature performs springtime trick and concealsthe barren area with wildflowers. Namakwa’s terrain sprouts incredible meadows of flowers in rainbow hues. This visual also takes place elsewhere in Northern and Western Capes.

Whale Watching
Throughout the second half of the year you will get to watch southern right whales split in Walker Bay. The best place to spot the whales in this period is Hermanus Whale Festival in September/October. This is when Hermanus turns to be the world’s best land-based whale-watching destination.

Jo’berg Festivals
Jo’berg organizes two months festival season with the multidisciplinary Arts Alive, the Soweto Festival Expo which features music, poetry, food stalls and lifestyle expo and Joy of Jazz. There is more to witness in October too like First Thursday and First Sunday In the Valley Jozi!

October
October is one of the best month to visit South Africa. The weather is very sunny without the summer crowds and prices. In October there is a 10-day South African school holiday at the beginning of the month, but it is a good time to avail any South Africa holiday tour package.

Events

South African National Gold Panning Championship
To celebrate gold prospecting roots of 19th century the contest involves hopeful panner from local school children to semiprofessionals. The activity takes place in a line of watery channels by Blyde River, overlooked by stands and

Soweto Festivals
Following Jo’burg’s September festival fun, Soweto Beer Festuval is organized by the city’s largest township. It features some 40 different types of beers, including local and traditional African drinks and Soweto Fashion Week. 

November
Spring season turns into summer in November. This is when high season begins. It heats up across the country and the downpour starts in the Kruger and KwaZulu Natal. The Cape gets to see the last month of the whale season. This is a great time to visit island areas such as the Karoo before the temperature rises. 

Events

Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts
Summer music festivals are organized in beautiful settings nationwide. In the Western Cape, Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts are unmissable in Cape Town’s botanical gardens, the West Coast host Endless Daze and various other trance parties. 

December
The festival season is very busy in South Africa and gets full quickly. Stay and activities should be booked in advance. The Cape is dry and hot and the north and KwaZulu Natal will get to experience some rain. Early December is a good time to travel as it is quite before the crowd of school holidays.
Best time to visit in South Africa

Happy Travellers

Highlights of South Asia journey

Ms. Bharti Patel

Under stress of Corona virus I started my journey to South Asia but by grac
read more
Asia
Group Tour
review_card_imgJan
Individual Tour

31st Jan Southeast Asia Tour

Mr. Yayati Patel

31st January Southeast Asia tour was our first experience with Flamingo.  Y
read more
Asia
Group Tour
review_card_imgJan
Group Tour

Singapore Malaysia Tour-21st Dec to 31st Dec

Mr. Chetan Gandhi

I thank you for arranging the subject trip on time even though it was finalized
read more
Asia
Adventure Tour,Family Tour
review_card_imgMay
Individual Tour

Hotel Food And Staff Services Was Very Nice

Mr. Shambahadur Thakur

Hotel in Boracay ( Astoria Boracay) was excellent. Hotel food and staff services
read more
Asia
Family Tour
review_card_imgFeb
Individual Tour

We Love Partnering With You On Our Travels!

Priyanka Desai

Thank you for reaching out to us! The trip was fantastic. Our driver was a very
read more
India
Nature Lovers
review_card_imgNov
Individual Tour

We Have Enjoyed Our Dubai Trip!

Mr. Rahul Bhasin

We have enjoyed our Dubai trip, it was well planned by Flamingo team. They were
read more
Middle East
Family Tour
review_card_imgNov
Individual Tour

We Couldn’t Dream Of A Better Vacation Than This!

Mr. Neeraj Amin

It was a memorable trip. Right from the land arrangements to the Hotels everythi
read more
Asia
Family Tour
review_card_imgSep
Individual Tour

Thanks Flamingo Team To Make Our Dream Come True

Mr. & Mrs. Nehal Gandhi

Exploring Europe with our two teenage kids was our dream for a long time. Thanks
read more
Central Europe,East Europe
Group Tour
review_card_imgMay
Group Tour

Thanks For A Memorable Trip To China!

Mr. Nirav Parikh

Apology for the delay in responding, but pending work at office (paying for goin
read more
Asia
Group Tour
review_card_imgJul
Group Tour

Appreciate Flamingo's Services And Travel Again!

Mr. Husein Sama

Best travel arrangements in terms of management of the local agent, pick up and
read more
Central Europe,East Europe
History Tour
review_card_imgJun
Individual Tour

Trending travel articles

A New Wonder of the World: The Golden Bridge in Vietnam

A New Wonder of the World: The Golden Bridge in Vietnam

An overnight internet sensation and thanks to Instagram - the Golden Bridge in Vietnam is at the top of the travel bucket list for many tourists. Since its opening day - it has topped the global architectural charts. Over the past few years, uniq

Mar 17, 2023 • Ketika Shah
Top Maldives Alternatives to Explore Summer Vacation

Top Maldives Alternatives to Explore Summer Vacation

Post-a-pandemic - thanks to the Bollywood celebrities - the Maldives has been in the travel spotlight. Yes, the Maldives is a surreal place to be - yes, it is the best short-distance foreign country to visit; yes, the Maldives travel experience

Mar 16, 2023 • Siddharth Shah
Explore the Majesty of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul

Explore the Majesty of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul

The iconic and famous mosque in Istanbul, the Turks call – the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, is known globally as the Blue Mosque. The Blue Mosque in Istanbul received this unofficial name based on the blue tiles that adorn this structure. The blue mosq

Mar 13, 2023 • Meeta Shah
Find Out Everything You Need To Know About Gardens By The Bay In Singapore!

Find Out Everything You Need To Know About Gardens By The Bay In Singapore!

One of the most renowned and not to be missed features of Singapore tour Packages is to visit the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. This garden is an integral part of Singapore Tourism. Your tour of Singapore is incomplete if you do not go to see the

Mar 09, 2023 • Mukti Shah
7 Festivals That Celebrate Life in Europe!

7 Festivals That Celebrate Life in Europe!

For most of us, Europe is synonymous with our summer holidays. Europe conjures images of snow-clad mountains, lush greenery, famous historical sites, and beautiful landscapes. There are infinite options for all – young and old, honeymooners and

Mar 06, 2023 • Ketika Shah
Grand Bazaar In Istanbul: All You Need To Know Before Visiting!

Grand Bazaar In Istanbul: All You Need To Know Before Visiting!

Turkey tourism is renowned for its mystical charm, stunning architecture, and rich culture, but your visit to this country will not be a full circle unless you visit the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. The must-visit spot for any tourist while visiting Ist

Mar 03, 2023 • Ketika Shah
Uluwatu Temple Bali – A Guide to Visiting Bali’s Magnificent Sea Temple

Uluwatu Temple Bali – A Guide to Visiting Bali’s Magnificent Sea Temple

Bali is renowned for its beaches, a destination apt for short breaks and honeymoons - but this island of Bali is also famous for its temples. We all know that Uluwatu Temple is one of the most famous temples in Bali. Instead, we could say that Bali

Feb 28, 2023 • Meeta Shah
8 Famous Vietnamese Foods to Try On Your Trip!

8 Famous Vietnamese Foods to Try On Your Trip!

What’s the purpose of visiting a new country if you don’t experience the local cuisine? The best approach to exploring the nation is to try the local cuisine. The cultural influences of that location are reflected in the food. Likewise to

Feb 28, 2023 • Sanjay Shah
5 Best Beach Destinations in Europe: Beach Lovers, this one’s for you!

5 Best Beach Destinations in Europe: Beach Lovers, this one’s for you!

In Europe, you will find some of the most gorgeous cities on the planet. Millions of tourists visit Europe each year to discover its capital cities, like Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Vienna, to mention a few. Europe Tourism is gifted with

Feb 27, 2023 • Ketika Shah
The Green Planet in Dubai – An Indoor Rainforest on the Arabian Desert

The Green Planet in Dubai – An Indoor Rainforest on the Arabian Desert

Dubai - you would have thought about uber-luxury, desert safari, very high temperatures, endless fun, and shopping. But, can you imagine a tropical rainforest in Dubai? On second thoughts - if Dubai can have a Miracle Garden, Ski World in the des

Feb 27, 2023 • Siddharth Shah
Sign up to our newsletter to get exclusive deals and dose of travel inspiration delivered to your inbox.

Find a branch near you :

Flamingo Transworld Pvt. Ltd. - Head Office

201/202, Gala Business Centre, St. Xaviers College Corner, Off C. G. Road, Ahmedabad 380 009, Gujarat, India. | Monday to Saturday | Time : 10:30 AM to 07:00 PMAhmedabad380009Gujarat India

Show on Map
Customer Care
Phone: +91 98250 81806
Email: teamgcm@flamingotravels.co.in
Whatsapp
Book appointment
+91 98250 81806

Top Destination

    Top Themes

      General

      Keep in touch :
      Our sister concerns :
      TechnoVille Consultants Pvt. Ltd.mediflameducare
      Copyright © 2023 Flamingo Transworld Pvt. Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
      Whatsapp Icon