When is the best time to visit South Africa

From the dynamic Cape Town to the cosmopolitan vibes of Johannesburg to expanses such as Namakwa, the Kalahari and Karoo, South Africa remains an alluring destination for all types of travelers. 

The country's diverse terrain and impressive landscapes provide the perfect opportunity to visit all year round. Here's our guide to the best time to visit South Africa. 

High Season: November to March

Best time for music festivals 

There is a lot to do during South Africa's peak season © Gallo Images / Getty Images

It’s summertime in South Africa, and if you’re looking to visit during peak times, you’ve got to plan ahead. Coastal and national-park accommodation book up months in advance and popular holiday spots see accommodation prices rise by 50% or more. 

But if you’re willing to spend the money, there are a host of festivals and events to enjoy like the Cape Town Street Parade (Cape Minstrel Carnival), a colorful new-year celebration that includes floats, routines and troupes. AFROPUNK, a massive international music concert that brings in artists from all over the world, kicks off in December. The Cape Town Cycle Tour in March brings in cycling enthusiasts from all over the globe.      

Shoulder Season: April to May & September to October 

Best time for wildlife and whale watching  

Spring and autumn are perfect seasons for wildlife watching in South Africa © Emma Shaw / Lonely Planet

Shoulder season offers less crowds and more wildlife. Autumn (April-May) provides the optimum wildlife-watching conditions, while spring (September-October) is the best time for whale watching. Wildflower season runs from late August to early September. 

Low Season: June to August

Best time for budget travelers 

Avoid the rainy season in Cape Town and the Western Cape by heading north © Franz Aberham / Getty Images

Winter brings lower prices and fewer crowds, but it is rainy season in Cape Town and the Western Cape. The northern areas like Karoo are a bit drier and sunnier during this time. Among the top winter festivals is Knysna’s incredible 10-day oyster festival in July.  

January 

South Africans descend on tourist areas, including the coast and major parks, during summer school holidays (early December to mid-January). Book accommodation and transport well in advance. High season for accommodation is November to March.
Key event: Cape Town Street Parade (Cape Town Minstrel Carnival).

February

Summer continues, with smiles on the beaches, half-price cable cars up Table Mountain for sunset, and dramatic lightning storms in Jo'burg. Elephants munch marula trees, and baby antelope, zebras and giraffes cavort in the parks. 

For something a little different, there’s the Up the Creek Festival. Billed as the second-longest outdoor music festival in South Africa, Up the Creek takes place on the banks of the Breede River. Don’t forget your floaties.  
Key events: Hands-on-Harvest, Up the Creek Festival, Ultra South Africa. 

The Cape Town Cycle Tour brings over 30,000 cyclists to the city © Rodger Bosch AFP / Getty Images

March 

Summer rolls towards autumn, although days remain sunny, the Lowveld steamy and the landscapes green. Good for walking and beach bumming in the Western Cape. Cultural and music festivals happen in Cape Town and Jo'burg.
Key events: Cape Town Cycle Tour, Cape Town International Jazz Festival. 

April

There's a two-week school holiday around Easter, generally regarded as the beginning of autumn. Temperatures drop, and wildlife watching in the bushveld starts to look more attractive than beach bumming. Wildlife rutting season runs until May.
Key events: AfrikaBurn, Klein Karoo National Arts Festival.   

July

Winter brings rain to the Cape and clouds to Table Mountain. Northern areas experience fresh, sunny days and clear night skies. Low season is June to September, apart from the mid-June to mid-July school holidays.
Key events: Oyster Festival, National Arts Festival, J-Bay Open. 

September is for whale watching in South Africa © Vancouvergirl / Budget Travel

September 

Winter starts giving way to spring. Cherry trees bloom in the Free State Eastern Highlands in September and October, which are also the last dry months for wildlife viewing. School holidays run from late September to early October.
Key events: Namakwa Wildflowers, Whale Watching, Jo’burg Festivals. 

October 

A great month to visit, offering mostly sunny weather without the worst of the summer crowds and prices. There is a 10-day South African school holiday at the beginning of the month. 
Key events: South African National Gold Panning Championships, Soweto Festivals, Mangaung African Cultural Festival. 

South Africans head to the beach in November © Diriye Amey / 500px

November 

Spring drifts into summer: wildflowers in the Drakensberg, beach potential before the worst humidity hits KwaZulu-Natal, and all of the above in Cape Town and the Western Cape. Rain in the Lowveld. High season begins.
Key events: Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts, Cherry Festival.  

December

The hot, dry days pick up as summer officially gets cooking. Music festival AFROPUNK Johannesburg, is the perfect big-time kickoff to the city’s music festival season. 
Key event: AFROPUNK.