From cosmopolitan Cape Town to incredible safaris, the Rainbow Nation offers something for everyone. Here's when to go to see it all.
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The Best Time to Visit South Africa for Gorgeous Weather and Prime Wildlife-Spotting
Published on Apr. 30, 2025
With dazzling wildlife, delicious wine, wonderful cities and incredible culture, it’s no wonder that South Africa is a bucket list destination for so many travelers. As a travel writer with more than two decades of experience, I’ve looped the globe, but the Rainbow Nation of South Africa is the country I keep coming back to. In fact, I just returned from my 11th trip, a Cape Town and Sabi Sand safari adventure with award-winning safari company Micato, where I enjoyed gorgeous April weather with 70-degree days.
I’ve explored the country at the southern tip of Africa in every season, so I can tell you that there’s a surprising variety of weather in the country year-round. And South Africa is big—it’s twice the size of Texas and could easily fit all of Italy, France and Germany within its borders—so I can also tell you that there’s a variety of weather across the country as well as in the different seasons. So when’s the best time to visit South Africa? Read on for what you need to know.
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What month is the best time to visit South Africa?
First things first: When you’re talking about the best time to visit South Africa, it’s important to note that the country is in the Southern Hemisphere, which means that the seasons will be the opposite of what they are in North America. The warmest, sunniest weather will be in the winter months of December, January and February. The coolest weather will be in the “winter” months of June, July and August.
Also, it’s good to note that while it’s a big country, most visitors to South Africa will likely be hitting the key spots of Cape Town, Cape Winelands, Johannesburg and the safari areas in and around Kruger National Park, including the private safari area next to Kruger, Sabi Sand Nature Reserve. The best month to visit South Africa depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for and what part of the country you’re visiting.
Cape Town is lovely in the warmer months of November to January, but for safari, those months, while green and lush, can get hot (think mid- to high-80s) and buggy. So when to visit? Steven Lake, a Cape Town-based safari director with Micato, advises coming in the shoulder season. “I’m a big fan of March and April,” says Lake. “The rains are stopping in the safari parts of the country, so it’s not too wet, but everything is still green and lush and it’s not too hot. And in Cape Town, the rainy season hasn’t started yet, and the temperatures aren’t too hot or cold.”
I can attest to all of this having just traveled with Lake on a trip that started in late March and went into early April, with sunny skies nearly every day and temperatures in the mid-70s during the day in Cape Town and hovering around 80 for a high in the Sabi Sand. So the best months to visit South Africa are March or April.
What is the best time to go on safari to South Africa ?
I’ve been on safari dozens of times in South Africa in famed Kruger National Park and adjacent private Sabi Sand concession, at all different times of year, and there’s truly no bad time to go. The wildlife is always here (think, prides of lions, herds of elephants, cheetah and leopards, plus more impala, zebra, giraffe and birds than you’ll be able to count), but there are times when spotting all of those incredible wild animals is easier or when the weather is more pleasant.
According to Micato safari director Lake, May to September are the most popular months to go on safari, as it coincides with summer holidays for North America. Because these are winter months in South Africa, you can expect colder temperatures (pack a down jacket and a warm hat for temperatures that dip down into the low 50s at night). The plus sides are that with less vegetation, it’s easier to spot wildlife, and since this is the dry season, there’s less water on the ground, which means animals may be congregating around water holes and be easier to find, too.
The months of November through January are green and lush, but can get hot (think mid- to high-80s) and buggy.
So, what are the best months to go on safari? March and April, says Lake, when the rains are over, things are still green, it’s not as hot and you’ll have good animal sightings, too.
What’s the cheapest time of year to go to South Africa?
The least expensive times to visit South Africa are outside of the most popular months, namely anytime that isn’t the height of the December holidays and New Year’s (called the “festive season” in South Africa) and the Northern Hemisphere’s summer vacation season, June to August (since September and October have become an extension of the season, those prices are often a bit higher, too). So, for the cheapest times to travel to South Africa, visit from mid-January to the end of April. And extra bonus, these are the least crowded times to visit, too.
What is the best month to go to Cape Town and the Winelands?
November to March are the peak season months for Cape Town, according to Lake. This is summer season in the city, which means beach season, too. (Yes, there are beautiful beaches all around the city—Clifton and Camp’s Bay are two of the most popular. And don’t forget Boulders Beach, one of the most popular beaches in the world, and home to Cape Penguins.) There are numerous festivals held during this time, too. And this is when natural areas are in full bloom, including the flowering Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, which neighbor iconic Table Mountain.
If you can’t make it to South Africa for this prime season, don’t worry. If you come in July and August, you’ll be here for peak whale watching season. Shoulder season months, like April and May, are great for hiking. This “autumn” season is also a perfect time to visit the Cape Winelands, which are just an hour’s drive from the city.
Where should you stay in South Africa?
Here are some of my personal top picks to stay in the most popular areas of South Africa:
The Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel, Cape Town. On my latest visit, I checked into this iconic pink hotel, and truly didn’t want to leave. What the Plaza Hotel is to New York City, the Mount Nelson is to Cape Town, the spot to go for a dress-up afternoon tea, a cocktail to watch the sunset or a special occasion dinner. And the views of Table Bay are stellar—you can even see the majestic mountain from both of the property’s two pools. My luxe suite had everything from crystal chandeliers to a marble soaking tub (plus, I have it on good authority that Charlize Theron even stayed here!). Oh, and the champagne and oyster breakfast served at the Oasis Restaurant? It’s included in your stay.
Spier, Stellenbosch, Winelands. There’s something about the light in the Cape Winelands that makes a stay in the rolling vineyards feel magical. That’s especially true at this newly rejuvenated wine farm (circa 1692), which is filled with contemporary art, including a seasonal outdoor light show that glows at night. Inside, contemporary rooms have four-poster beds, fireplaces and gorgeous vistas of the mountains and gardens. Of course, there are lovely spots to sit and sip Spier Wine Farm’s vintages, too (don’t miss their special house blends).
Saxon, Johannesburg. An oasis in the heart of bustling Johannesburg, this elegant hotel was once a private home that hosted Nelson Mandela while he worked on his book, The Long Walk to Freedom. Mandela’s room is now the platinum suite, but all the rooms here are spacious and special and feel like you’re staying at an elegant and elevated private escape. There’s also a large pool, fabulous landscaping that feels like a private and a restaurant worth staying in for.
Cheetah Plains, Sabi Sand Nature Reserve. For the ultimate in fabulous safari lodges, it’s hard to top this modern, and completely sustainable, lodge. The property is divided into three villa complexes, each with a main house and four ultra-luxe suites for the exclusive use of your group of up to eight guests. Each main house has stunning indoor and outdoor dining and living areas, a pool, a wine cellar full of South African wines and spirits and a private staff including a sommelier, concierge, masseuse, and pastry chef (and it’s all inclusive, and that goes for the hair salon, too!). There is, of course, wildlife just outside your luxury suite, and the game drives (in electric vehicles) here are among my most memorable: in my first minutes, I saw nearly a dozen endangered wild dogs and a mother leopard and her cub. Simply incredible!
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At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on the best time to visit South Africa, freelancer Melissa Klurman tapped her experience as a frequent visitor to South Africa and travel journalist with more than two decades of experience, We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Source:
- Steven Lake is the safari director for Micato, the world’s most awarded safari outfitter.
