When best to visit South Africa is governed by a combination of what the weather is like in each of its highly varied areas; and what is the best period to see certain wildlife and marine life highlights. Below is a summary, starting with a climatic overview, but moving on to best times for the following:
- Kruger National Park
- When to see Whales in South Africa
- The Sardine Run
- Sharks of KwaZulu Natal
- Flowers of the Namaqualand (refer to Spring below)
Climate through the Year
Summer
South Africa has a Southern Hemisphere Summer which runs from mid-October to mid-February. For the majority sub-tropical parts of the country, this is characterised by hot sunny weather during which moisture rises into the sky and can lead to afternoon downpours and thunderstorms.
The Western Cape experiences a Mediterranean climate and during the summer, the climate is largely dry and sunny all day.
Winter
Winter in South Africa is May to July. In the more tropical parts of the country (including KwaZulu Natal) the weather is excellent at this time of year, with very little wind or rain but plenty of warmth and sunshine.
In the Western Cape, the Winter often brings cloud and rain; but it can also bring clear sunny weather which feels like a very good summer's day in northern Europe.
The Drakensburg Mountains of KwaZulu Natal and the higher regions of the Cape can receive snow in winter.
Spring
Spring is when the Namaqualands of the Western & Northern Capes burst into flower. This is one of the greatest floral shows on Earth so if you want to experience this, then August and September are the months to do so.
Autumn
Autumn comes mid-February to April in South Africa and provides on average some of the most comfortable visiting. There is little rain anywhere and temperatures are warm without ever reaching their peaks. Cape Town is probably at its best during this season.
Kruger National Park
The Kruger National Park is worth visiting at any time of the year, but there is a distinct difference in seasons. The dry season runs May to October and as we move through this period, game viewing gets easier and easier as grasses become shorter and vegetation generally provides less cover for animals to conceal themselves within. The dry season also forces animals to come to limited permanent water sources, so game viewing at these points can be very rewarding. Temperatures between June and July can range from as much as the high 20's degree Centigrade during the day to as low as about 6oC at night.
The green season usually begins in November, peaks in January and February and ends sometime in April. The Kruger blooms at this time attracting lots of birdlife. Smaller game and predators can be more difficult to see, but you aren't going to miss large animals like elephants and rhino and birdlife is abundant too. Temperatures during the green season vary from the low 20's to low 30's degrees Centigrade.
The Sardine Run
The Sardine Run is one of the greatest marine life 'shows' in our blue planet. The time to see this is June and July.
Sharks of KwaZulu Natal
Sharks of one kind or another visit the KwaZulu Natal almost year round. The Sardine Run attracts several species in June and July.
Ragged Tooth Sharks ('raggies') are best seen at Aliwal Shoal off the coast from Umkomaas from June to October. This is the opposite period to when Tiger Sharks, Hammerheads, Zambezis and Black Tip Sharks are best seen here. For these visit November - April, with May still good for Zambezis and Hammerheads and May and June still a possibility for Tiger Sharks.
Sodwana Bay and Rocktail Bay receive some Ragged Tooth Sharks and Manta Rays November - March and Whale Sharks can appear there the same period, even extending into April.
When to See Whales in South Africa
The Cape area of South Africa provides one of the best places from which to see whales close to shore. It's Southern Right Whales which are easiest to see and the best period for this is sometime in June thought to November.
Humpback Whales migrate through this area and right through KwaZulu Natal, again starting sometime in June through to December.
Durban - Johannesburg - Cape Town - Richard's Bay - Paarl - Stellenbosch Winelands & Vineyards
