Get the Finder app 🥳

Connect your accounts & save

Install
finder.com.au

Best time to visit South Africa by price and activity

Find the cheapest and most pleasant time to discover South Africa’s wildlife and beaches.

Stephanie Yip
Stephanie Yip

Updated

Fact checked

We looked up the weather, crowds and wildlife activities of South Africa to bring you the best months to travel to the country.

Best time to visit South Africa

April to October.

Why?

April to October is winter in South Africa, which is characterised by dry weather and also coincides with the low-season, making it an optimal time to visit weather-wise.

If you’re searching for specific activities, the winter months between June and September are ideal for outdoor pursuits as the weather is cool and dry.

As the vegetation is less leafy during these months, animals often gather around rivers and watering holes, so it’s also a good time to see wildlife.

To see the Northern cape plains covered in wildflowers, travel during spring (mid-September to October).

Overview

South Africa enjoys a temperate climate compared to most African countries and is magnificent at any time of the year. However, depending on what you plan to do, it’s worthwhile to follow the seasons.

The climate is characterised by four main seasons: spring (September – October), summer (November – March), autumn (April – May) and winter (June – August). April to October are the dry months of the year and the wet months begin in November and last till March.

In addition to the weather, you have to take into account school holidays. From mid-December to January, hordes of local vacationers flee from the cities to the national parks. The busiest time is Christmas, followed by the Holy Week in mid-January. During these holidays, accommodations in tourist areas and national parks are booked well in advance and prices can more than double.

Weather and prices

Best time to visit South Africa, weather-wise. April to October are the dry months in South Africa, but since winters are moderate, every season, except the wet season, offers comfortable temperatures and dry weather.

Cheapest time to visit South Africa. Prices are almost same throughout the year except for the holiday seasons of Christmas and Holy Week, which is also the time for school holidays. During this period, there is a surge in prices for accommodation, activities and flights.

Best time to visit South Africa for...

  • Safari. South African animals stroll through nature reserves throughout the year, so any season is good to enjoy a safari. It may be easier to see the wildlife in the winter when less vegetation makes it harder for them to go unnoticed in the undergrowth. From mid-June to December you can observe southern right whales surrounding the South African coast.
  • Beaches. If you are visiting South Africa to enjoy the pleasures of the sea, the weather is the opposite of the national parks. You have to avoid the winter (April to October) since the weather is too cold to dip into the water. However, from November to March, the Cape coast is a paradise.
  • Bird-watching: Paleo-arctic migratory species arrive in November and intra-African flocks usually come in mid-October. Most species of birds return by February or March.
  • Honeymoon: April to October is an ideal time for honeymooners due to smaller crowds, a pleasant climate and better opportunities to see the wildlife.

Hot South Africa travel deals

Trafalgar Tours Trafalgar Tours

Up to 15% off last minute trips

Valid for travel on select dates in 2020 and 2021. Destinations include Europe, UK, the Middle East, Argentina, India, Asia, New Zealand, Australia and Africa and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal
Topdeck Topdeck

Up to 10% off multi-trip worldwide

Available for travel on select dates in December 2020 onward. Discount applies when booking three trips at once. Extra 5% off for bookings of four trips and more. Destinations include Balkan, Ireland, Britain, Thailand, Canada, Egypt, Japan, South Africa, Athens and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal
Titan Travel Titan Travel

GBP£49 deposit on worldwide tours

Available for travel on select 2021 dates. Destinations include Costa Rica, Europe, Canada, Australia, South Africa and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

Trafalgar Tours Trafalgar Tours

Up to 5% off family tours

Available on select travel dates in 2020 and 2021 when you book for 5 people or more. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Europe, South Africa and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal
Trafalgar Tours Trafalgar Tours

Up to 5% off group tours

Available on select travel dates in 2020 and 2021 when you book for 9 people or more. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Europe, South Africa and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal
TourRadar TourRadar

Up to 50% off Africa tours

Available on select travels until December 2021. Destinations include Morocco, Cairo, Namibia, South Africa, Cape Town and more.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

G Adventures G Adventures

Up to 15% off North Africa and Middle East tours

Available on select dates until 31 August 2021. Destinations include Jordan, Morocco, Egypt, Israel, Oman and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

G Adventures G Adventures

Up to 15% off Africa tours

Available on select dates until 31 August 2021. Destinations include Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa and more. T&Cs apply.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

Viator Viator

Up to $51 off things to do in South Africa

Available on select dates. Activities include safari tours, wine tours, shark cage diving, hot air balloon experience and more.

Last verified

Get deal

Popular Travel coupon codes

Last checked Code description Code
5 Aug 2020 Extra 8% off on hotel bookings CLP****
4 Aug 2020 Extra 10% off experiences with code RBF****
29 Jul 2020 Get $20 credit FIN****
13 Jul 2020 Extra $10 off site-wide with code FDR****
22 May 2020 Extra 9% off hotel bookings AUT****

Find the best time to go to…

#
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
L
M
N
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
Y

Related Posts

11 ideas for romantic getaways in Tasmania that will sweep you off your feet

From glass cabins that overlook forests to luxurious seaside escapes, these Tasmanian getaways offer the perfect romantic adventure.

7 unforgettable South Australian family holiday destinations

Sort your itinerary and your accommodation in one hit with our top spots to take the family in South Australia.

This Jetstar sale will have you flying from $49

EXPIRED: 4,000 seats are on sale and one of them has your name on it.

RBA survey: Experts forecast 800+ “zombie” companies to fail in September

With the end of JobKeeper fast approaching, experts and economists expect a rise in the number of business insolvencies, according to Finder, Australia’s most visited comparison site.

Podcast: How to plan a realistic wedding budget

Don't say "I do" to debt: Tips and tricks to create a wedding budget, cut back costs and avoid debt for your big day.

Ask an Expert

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy and Privacy & Cookies Policy.
Ask a question
Go to site