Best time to visit South Africa

The climate in South Africa through the year

When to go

South Africa scores 65 or more out of 100 in every month across the 44 destinations Eddigo covers, so there is no bad time to go. May comes out on top with an average of 96. Daytime highs in May range from 19°C in Boulders Beach to 27°C in KwaDukuza. The lowest average is in January (68), with daytime highs from 23°C to 33°C.

Where in the country

In May, the highest scores are in Johannesburg (100), Pretoria (100) and Soweto (100), while Boulders Beach scores 72. The destinations do not all peak at the same time:

• May: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Soweto, Port Elizabeth, Soshanguve and 25 more
• June: Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Mthatha, KwaDukuza and Pinetown
• July: East London, Uitenhage, Richards Bay and Mdantsane
• January: Somerset West and Boulders Beach
• February: Cape Town

Warmest, coolest, wettest and driest

Over the year, Rustenburg is the warmest destination (daytime highs averaging 28°C) and Boulders Beach the coolest (20°C). Richards Bay gets the most precipitation, about 1,080 mm a year, and Kimberley the least, about 420 mm. The highest-lying is Tiffindell Ski Resort at about 2,650 m. The warmest sea is at Richards Bay: 26°C in February.

By type of trip

The best months change with what you want to do. With Eddigo’s trip types, South Africa averages 65 or more in these months:

• Beach holiday: all year round. Best in May: Durban (97), KwaDukuza (97) and Richards Bay (95)
• City break: March–November. Best in July: Johannesburg (100), Durban (100) and Pretoria (100)
• Hiking: April–October. Best in July: Johannesburg (100), Pretoria (100) and Soweto (100)