South Africa has both subtropical and temperate climatic conditions, influenced by the ocean along the east and west coasts as well as the interior plateaus.
The Western Cape receives the majority of its rainfall in the winter (June to August), while the rest of the country is humid in the summer (December to February), when the mercury ranges between 15℃ and 36°C.
As South Africa is a large and diverse country, the climate differs from region to region.
This is why the choice of the best time to visit the country largely depends on your desires.
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When to go to the Cape region and the main cities of South Africa?
A bustling port city, Cape Town is best discovered between October and April, when temperatures fluctuate between 23°C and 32°C.
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Cape Town exudes an air of enchanting metropolis, set between its bay and Table Mountain, from where the view is breathtaking.
The Bo-Kaap district, famous for its brightly colored houses, as well as the main attractions of the city can be discovered between October and April, when temperatures fluctuate between 23°C and 32°C.
June and July are the coldest months and come with shorter days, seasonal rain and wind.
These winter months also mark the start of the whale season as they migrate from Antarctica to South Africa to give birth.
A short 1.5 hour drive will bring you to the town of Hermanus, the best spot to observe this fascinating natural spectacle.
From December to February,
you can expect dry, sunny days, sometimes accompanied by tropical thunderstorms.
Although it can be very hot, it is also the best time to enjoy Cape Town's lively beaches, especially during the holiday season.
In the northeast of the country, Pretoria presents a singular urban aspect, made of juxtapositions between old palaces and modern structures, with a strong colonial imprint and an outline of flowering jacarandas between October and November.
Don't miss a detour to Port Elizabeth, connected to Cape Town by the scenic Garden Route, a coastal road dotted with villages and beaches.
The diamond industry is in full swing in Kimberley, home to the Big Hole, an 800m sinkhole that has been explored for years.
In Johannesburg, you can visit the Apartheid Museum, which bears witness to an important page in the history of the country of Nelson Mandela.
When is the best time for a safari in South Africa?
As one of the largest nature reserves in Africa, the Kruger National Park is a must.
During a safari, you can contemplate the animals of the Big Five.
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The best time for a safari is between May and October, during the dry season.
During this period, the bush thins out and the animals congregate due to the reduced number of waterholes, making it easier to observe them.
During the wet summer season, from October to May, the landscape becomes green and birds populate the country's various national parks, to the delight of birdwatchers.
Among the most visited parks are the Kruger National Park, one of the largest and oldest in the world, and the Pilanesberg National Park, which occupies an evocative location in an extinct volcano, surrounded by four circles of mountains.
Madikwe Game Reserve, where the sands of the Kalahari Desert lie, is home to over 10,000 animals of 28 different species;
Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park is home to the mighty black and white rhinos, while Addo Elephant National Park boasts the highest concentration of elephants on the African continent.
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a mixture of several ecosystems ranging from mangroves to grasslands, including bush and the southernmost coral reef in the world.
Read alsoA more eco-responsible safari in Africa is possible!
When is the best time to experience beaches and surfing in South Africa?
Durban's superb beaches will delight surfers in all seasons.
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In South Africa, temperatures begin to rise significantly from November and remain high until March.
But along the KwaZulu-Natal coast, the weather is sunny and the temperatures mild all year round, so it is even possible to swim in winter, between June and August, at Durban's superb beaches.
From Jeffrey's Bay and Muizenberg to the Wildcoast and Big Bay, this region is also home to many world-class surf spots that boarding enthusiasts are sure to discover between March and September.