Best Time To Visit
South Africa is a wonderful place to visit during the entire year. Every month has its own specifics.
There is a perfect moment during the year for everyone. Hopefully this information helps you to plan your trip and/or stay in the most perfect time for you.
Seasons
Remember that South Africa is on the southern hemisphere. This means that the seasons are opposite to the once on the northern hemisphere. In South Africa spring and summer are during the wet season and it is the dry season during fall and winter.
| Southern hemisphere | Northern hemisphere | |
| Spring | ⇔ | Fall |
| Summer | ⇔ | Winter |
| Fall | ⇔ | Spring |
| Winter | ⇔ | Summer |
Weather
January and February are the hottest and wettest months of the year. They are known for temperatures +/- 40 C and afternoon rainstorms. The landscape is after the rains earlier in the year changed into a flourishing vibrant green valley. Many species have their offspring before this period and that means lots of baby animals to see.
In March and April the temperatures will start to drop a bit and the rainfall will decrease. These months are known for its clear skies. The African Wild Dogs often have their pups this time of year.
May and June are significantly colder, especially in the night and the early mornings. The dry season started and it seldomly rains. The landscape changes into a more yellowish, greyish and because of the lack of water the environment is more open, which makes it a bit easier to spot animals.
July and August are the coldest months of the year. Water is getting more and more scares and wildlife is often seen by the watering holes that still contain water.
In September and October the temperature start to rise. Nights are still chilly, but the days are more comfortable. This is the end of the dry season and water is minimal which means that the landscape is at its most open.
November and December are the start of the rainy season. The temperature continues to rise and lots of species give birth. The environment is turning fresh and green again. African elephants are known to swim often during these hotter months.
| Month | Average
Max. Temp. |
Average Min. Temp. |
Hours
Sun |
Days Rain |
| January | 33 C | 20 C | 8 | 9 |
| February | 31 C | 20 C | 8 | 8 |
| March | 31 C | 19 C | 8 | 8 |
| April | 29 C | 17 C | 8 | 5 |
| May | 27 C | 12 C | 9 | 3 |
| June | 25 C | 9 C | 9 | 2 |
| July | 25 C | 9 C | 9 | 1 |
| August | 27 C | 11 C | 9 | 2 |
| September | 29 C | 14 C | 9 | 3 |
| October | 30 C | 17 C | 8 | 6 |
| November | 31 C | 19 C | 8 | 9 |
| December | 32 C | 20 C | 8 | 9 |
Gate Times – Kruger National Park
Finally to decide when you want to plan your visit it is good to know that there are various opening times of the Kruger National Park during the year, related to sunrise and sunset.
| Month | Entry gates open | Entry gates close | Hours |
| January | 05:30 | 18:30 | 13 hours |
| February | 05:30 | 18:30 | 13 hours |
| March | 05:30 | 18:00 | 12,5 hours |
| April | 06:00 | 18:00 | 12 hours |
| May | 06:00 | 17:30 | 11,5 hours |
| June | 06:00 | 17:30 | 11,5 hours |
| July | 06:00 | 17:30 | 11,5 hours |
| August | 06:00 | 18:00 | 12 hours |
| September | 06:00 | 18:00 | 12 hours |
| October | 05:30 | 18:00 | 12,5 hours |
| November | 05:30 | 18:30 | 13 hours |
| December | 05:30 | 18:30 | 13 hours |