When to go · South Africa
Best Time to Visit South Africa
South Africa is best in January, February and November. It's a mild year-round country overall, but the sweet spot shifts by region — here's every city, month by month.
Go now
January, February, November
Comfortable and drier
Shoulder
October, April, December
Fewer crowds, a trade-off
Think twice
June, May
Wettest is June (177mm)
It depends where you go
climate varies by regionThe best month isn't the same across South Africa. Here's when each city we track is at its best.
Cape Town
mild year-roundBest: Jan, Feb
Wettest Jun (177mm)
Johannesburg
mild year-roundBest: Aug, Sep
Wettest Dec (160mm)
Durban
mild year-roundBest: Jul, Jun
Wettest May (152mm)
Soweto
mild year-roundBest: Aug, Sep
Wettest Dec (170mm)
Stellenbosch
mild year-roundBest: Oct, Dec
Wettest Jun (247mm)
George
mild year-roundBest: Nov, Apr
Hottest Mar (23°C)
South Africa month by month
Normals for Cape Town, South Africa's main hub. Each month links to its full weather page.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25° | 17° | go now | |
| February | 25° | 17° | go now | |
| March | 23° | 16° | ok | |
| April | 22° | 14° | ok | |
| May | 18° | 12° | think twice | |
| June | 18° | 11° | think twice | |
| July | 16° | 10° | ok | |
| August | 17° | 10° | ok | |
| September | 17° | 11° | ok | |
| October | 21° | 13° | ok | |
| November | 23° | 14° | go now | |
| December | 24° | 16° | ok |
5-year Open-Meteo ERA5 normals. Updated monthly.
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