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Best Time To Visit South Africa (Month by Month)

South Africa Safaris South Africa

Kruger & Around

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec
  1. Excellent
  2. Good
  3. Fair
  4. Poor

Cape Town & Around

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec
  1. Excellent
  2. Good
  3. Fair
  4. Poor

The best time to visit South Africa for a wildlife safari is from May to September. During these winter months, the east of the country (where the main parks are located) experiences its Dry season. Wildlife is easier to spot during the Dry season because vegetation thins, and animals gather around and rivers. The ‘Kruger & Around’ sections below relate to the parks and reserves in Greater Kruger and in the KwaZulu-Natal Province.

Cape Town differs from Kruger and most other parts of South Africa insofar as most of its rain falls in winter rather than summer. The best time for visiting Cape Town and surrounds is therefore during the dry summer months of October to March. The ‘Cape Town & Around’ sections below apply to the entire Western Cape and nearby parks.


926 South Africa Safaris
Calendar icon Best Time
Clock with coins icon Travel Seasons
Raincloud with sun icon Weather

Kruger & Around

Calendar icon Best Time May to September
(Best wildlife viewing)
Clock with coins icon Travel Seasons High season: October to March
(Crowded during school holidays)Low season: April to September
(Uncrowded)
Raincloud with sun icon Weather Best weather: April to May and September to October
(Mild weather)Worst weather: December to February
(Hot and humid)

Cape Town & Around

Calendar icon Best Time October to March
(Pleasant weather)
Clock with coins icon Travel Seasons High season: December, January and over Easter
(It can be crowded, especially during school holidays)Low season: May to September
(Few visitors)
Raincloud with sun icon Weather Best weather: October to March
(Warm and little rainfall)Worst weather: May to August
(Cold and wet)

Pros & Cons – Kruger & Around

May to September – Dry Season – Winter

  • Wildlife is easier to spot because there is less vegetation and animals gather around rivers and
  • Little to no rain and most days are sunny
  • Few mosquitoes
  • Low season and parks are not crowded, except for Kruger during school holidays
  • It gets cold at night and in the mornings

October to April – Wet Season – Summer

  • After the first rains, the scenery turns green and all looks fresh
  • Best time for bird watching and are present
  • Rains are mostly short afternoon showers and seldom interfere with your trip
  • Wildlife viewing can be quite slow as the bush is thicker and animals are harder to spot
  • It gets very hot in December, January and February
  • Parks get crowded during the main school holidays in December

Pros & Cons – Cape Town & Around

May to September – Winter

  • Low season with few visitors around
  • Although these are the wetter months, there are many sunny days
  • Wildlife viewing in reserves in the Eastern and Western Cape is consistent year-round
  • It is cold for beach and general holiday activities
  • Morning in open vehicles are cold

October to April – Summer

  • Pleasant, warm weather with little rain
  • Best time to enjoy Cape Town and the Garden Route
  • Wildlife viewing in reserves in the Eastern and Western Cape is consistent throughout the year
  • It is less cold on
  • It gets busy in high season

Wildlife Photos

Black rhinoceros Lion pair +48 Photos

Best Time To Go by Major Park

Most parks offer year-round wildlife viewing, but they are at their best during the Dry season when wildlife is easier to spot. Kruger National Park and other reserves in Greater Kruger and KwaZulu-Natal can get extremely hot during December to February, which is also when rainfall is highest, so these areas are best visited in cooler, drier months.

  1. Excellent
  2. Good
  3. Fair
  4. Poor
  1. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
    1. January: Fair
    2. February: Fair
    3. March: Good
    4. April: Good
    5. May: Excellent
    6. June: Excellent
    7. July: Excellent
    8. August: Excellent
    9. September: Excellent
    10. October: Good
    11. November: Fair
    12. December: Fair
  2. Kruger National Park
    1. January: Fair
    2. February: Fair
    3. March: Good
    4. April: Good
    5. May: Excellent
    6. June: Excellent
    7. July: Excellent
    8. August: Excellent
    9. September: Excellent
    10. October: Good
    11. November: Good
    12. December: Fair
  3. MalaMala GR
    1. January: Fair
    2. February: Fair
    3. March: Good
    4. April: Good
    5. May: Excellent
    6. June: Excellent
    7. July: Excellent
    8. August: Excellent
    9. September: Excellent
    10. October: Good
    11. November: Good
    12. December: Fair
  4. Phinda Private GR
    1. January: Fair
    2. February: Fair
    3. March: Good
    4. April: Good
    5. May: Excellent
    6. June: Excellent
    7. July: Excellent
    8. August: Excellent
    9. September: Excellent
    10. October: Good
    11. November: Good
    12. December: Fair
  5. Sabi Sand NR
    1. January: Fair
    2. February: Fair
    3. March: Good
    4. April: Good
    5. May: Excellent
    6. June: Excellent
    7. July: Excellent
    8. August: Excellent
    9. September: Excellent
    10. October: Good
    11. November: Good
    12. December: Fair

Want To Visit South Africa?

926 South Africa Safaris