South Africa as a travel destination is exceptional all year round. It offers wildlife, scenery, mountains, culture, beaches and excellent cuisine with some of the best wines in the world.

Seasons

Please take note that certain regions should be visited at specific times:
♦ The northern parts of South Africa (Kruger, Gauteng, Limpopo) are best during the winter months (May to September) with wildlife and game viewing at its best. The temperatures are very mild (maximum 20-23ºC). There is very little winter rainfall in the north.

♦ The southern parts (Cape Town, Garden Route, Eastern Cape) are best during the summer months (October to March). The temperature can reach 28-30ºC or higher offering beautiful sunny days. The Atlantic Ocean brings relief in the form of a cool breeze along the coast. Rainfall is low during the summer.

♦ A ‘must-see’ for those who enjoy spectacular scenery, be sure to diaries a visit to the floral extravaganza in Namaqualand when the desert-like terrain is transformed into a carpet of flowers and draws thousands of visitors. It is situated in the Western and Northern Cape Provinces and takes place from mid-August to mid-September.

♦ The warm waters of the east coast make for almost year-round swimming. Winter is mild, except in the highest parts of the country.

♦ Whale watching season begins in September

♦ Take note of the South African holiday season when locals take their annual holidays in summer. Mid-December to late January is a busy time of the year, but most areas are equipped to handle the large numbers of tourists. Other holiday seasons are in April and July, when school holidays are utilized to visit places such as Cape Town, Kruger and Durban.