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Best time to visit South Africa: month by month
Short answer
For a combined trip, September to November and April to May work well: Cape Town is warm (about 21–24°C highs in spring) and Kruger's dry season offers good game viewing. Cape Town is best October to April (dry, about 23–25°C, windy), Kruger May to October; winter brings rain to Cape Town but sunny days in Kruger.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25°C | 17°C | 4 | high |
| Feb | 25°C | 17°C | 2 | high |
| Mar | 23°C | 16°C | 7 | high |
| Apr | 22°C | 14°C | 5 | medium |
| May | 18°C | 12°C | 11 | low |
| Jun | 18°C | 11°C | 12 | low |
| Jul | 16°C | 9°C | 10 | medium |
| Aug | 17°C | 10°C | 11 | medium |
| Sep | 17°C | 11°C | 9 | medium |
| Oct | 21°C | 13°C | 7 | high |
| Nov | 23°C | 14°C | 7 | high |
| Dec | 24°C | 16°C | 4 | very high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Cape Town warms from about 17°C to 23°C with wildflowers; Kruger is dry and excellent for game viewing.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Hot and dry in Cape Town, about 24–25°C with strong wind; Kruger is hot, green and rainy.
Autumn (Mar–May)
Pleasant in Cape Town, about 18–23°C; Kruger dries out and game viewing improves.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Cape Town is cool and rainy, about 16–18°C; Kruger is dry and sunny, with cold nights.
Events worth planning around
- Whale watching in Hermanus (roughly June to November)
- Namaqualand wildflowers (August to September)
- Cape Town Minstrel Carnival (early January)
- Cape Town Cycle Tour (March)
When to avoid
Avoid Cape Town in June to August if you want beach weather, and Kruger in January–February if you dislike heat and rain.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit South Africa?
September to November or April to May for a combined Cape Town and Kruger trip.
When is the best safari season in Kruger?
May to October, the dry season.
When can I see whales?
From about June to November along the Cape coast, especially at Hermanus.