The weather in South Africa is superb with lovely warm sunny days most of the year. South Africa is in the southern hemisphere, so the seasons are opposite to those in Europe;

Summer - mid-October to mid-February
Autumn - mid-February to April
Winter - May to July
Spring - August to mid-October

Average Temperature in ºC

	SUMMER (mid-October to mid-February)	WINTER (May to July)
Cape Town	20	12.6
Durban	23.6	17
Johannesburg	19.4	11.1
Pretoria	22.4	12.9

So when is the best time to visit?
Famous for it's sunshine, South Africa experiences one of the highest numbers of 'sunshine hours' per year of any country worldwide, so it's always a good time to visit. Many of the best areas to visit can be quite busy in peak season, for example, the coast tends to be a bit crowded around Christmas and New Year (and also Easter), when all the schools are on holiday, and many local people take their annual leave. The best time to travel really depends on what you plan to do during your holiday in South Africa.

Spring in South Africa
August to mid-October
It is at this time of year that you can really appreciate the floral beauty of South Africa, and the most spectacular places are the Cape provinces - particularly Namaqualand in the Norther and Western Cape where the ground is carpeted with flowers. Hiking is good as it's not so hot, and late spring is the best time for game (and you may even see some babies!). You can also spot whales from about mid June through to October.

Summer in South Africa
Mid-October to mid-February
Generally speaking, you can expect hot, sunny weather however there are often thunderstorms in the afternoon which will clear quickly, leaving a distinctive earthy smell in the air. Birdwatchers will be able to see migrations during October and November. The beaches are at the their best at this time, but can be busy. The rafting in KwaZulu-Natal is best from late November to mid-February. The Western Cape has a Mediterranean climate, so this is the exception so it gets its rain during the winter (May to July).

Autumn in South Africa
Mid-February to April
You can sometimes catch the best weather during autumn as there is very little rainfall across the country as a whole, and whilst you will enjoy warm sunny days, the temperature is not too hot so you can still explore and take part in the many activities on offer. In Cape Town, autumn is fantastic, with hot sunny days and warm, balmy nights, so you will find that many people spend their time outdoors in the many cafes.

Winter in South Africa
May to July
It is during winter that you will notice the greatest contrast between the regions; the KwaZulu-Natal Coast and the lower lying areas are generally warm and sunny with little rain and virtually no wind, whilst the mountains of the Cape and the Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal usually get snow! The nights even down by the coast can get quite chilly, so it's best to bring warm clothes, although it is often warm enough to sunbathe during the day. The Western Cape gets most of its rain in winter, so you might have some cloudy, rainy weather but these are usually interspersed with bright sunny days much like the English summer.

About South Africa - Weather in South Africa - Places to Stay - Game & Safari Parks - Travel
Weather in South Africa - Driving and Car Hire - Eating Out & South African Cuisine
South African Wine - Attractions - Sports and Activities - Map of South Africa
History of South Africa - Advice - Brochures - Contact Us