South Africa is a country on the African continent with a distinct culture and much to offer to tourists. The country has beautiful beaches, stunning views, cutting-edge cities, delicious food, and incredible wildlife. Visitors to South Africa will notice the friendliness of the locals, the abundance of activities, its rich history, and the idyllic weather during the winter months. South Africa is a truly unique destination, and it even has three capital cities, one of which is very popular. Winter is the best time to visit South Africa for countless reasons but these are the top eight for travelers to consider.
Average Temperature This Time of Year
- 60-80 Degrees F
Weather
South Africa’s pleasant winter season starts at the end of June and ends around the last part of September. This is the best time to visit South Africa since the cooler temperatures allow travelers to enjoy the outdoors. Travelers can expect sunny and clear skies. These weather conditions might allow visitors to appreciate the landscape more and capture picturesque scenery. June to August are the relatively coldest months since September marks the beginning of spring.
Travel Tip: Altitude is a factor that travelers should consider when planning their visit to South Africa. In the coastal areas, the days are warm and nights are cool.
Ocean Wildlife Sightings
Travelers can have unforgettable experiences in South Africa during the winter. The winter season is the best time for wildlife sightings because animals are quite active at this time. South Africa is one of the best destinations in the world for whale and dolphin watching since marine life is thriving. From June until around early July, whales migrate through South Africa’s waters which offers travelers intimate encounters with the majestic creatures. Cape Town offers great views of whales, so travelers staying in central areas are in luck. Many tour companies in South Africa specialize in whale watching, giving travelers plenty of options.
Travel Tip: If you do not want to immerse yourself in nature but still enjoy wildlife sightings, the winter is the best time to visit South Africa. There are fewer leaves on the trees so animals have fewer places to hide.
Knysna Oyster Festival
South Africa has a thriving culinary scene, which highlights locally sourced ingredients. The Knysna Oyster Festival is a highly anticipated event that is a full festival with sports programming, live music performances, a wine festival, arts and crafts markets, and cooking competitions. This art and culture event typically lasts a few days and offers diverse activities for attendees. Delectable oysters, henna art, tea tasting, art exhibitions, marathons, and more are available to visitors. The festival typically has a theme and celebrates the unique flavors of Knysna, South Africa.
Travel Tip: Since this event is so diverse, travelers from different walks of life with varying interests should enjoy the festival. The family-friendly event is usually held in June but travelers should book their accommodations in advance to avoid stress.
National Arts Festival in Makhanda
The National Arts Festival in Makhanda is South Africa’s annual arts festival. It celebrates many different art mediums and provides artists a platform to showcase and experiment with their work. A hub for creativity, the festival takes place between June and July each year and typically lasts 10 days. This creative outing offers an opportunity for visitors and locals alike to welcome different forms of self-expression.
Travel Tip: The festival has a curated program of theater, dance, music, visual arts and jazz. Those traveling for the National Arts Festival in Makhanda should stay in historic Grahamstown.
Wildlife Safaris
Travelers should look into booking a wildlife safari during their visit to South Africa. The winter is a great time to see the animals on land when the country’s eastern side experiences a dry season. The dry conditions mean that there is less vegetation so animals are more active in getting to waterholes and what is left to eat. Travelers can take full-day, half-day, and even shorter South African tours. There are ample animal sighting opportunities in South Africa where travelers can see zebras, lions, cape buffalo, elephants, giraffes, hippos, and more.
Travel Tip: Animal movements and behaviors change based on the time of day so travelers should book their safari in the early morning or late afternoon.
National Women’s Day
August 9 is National Women’s Day in South Africa. This is a public holiday that celebrates the rich cultural diversity of the country. It commemorates a historic protest against unjust laws and is a day to celebrate the strides of South African women. Locals of South Africa celebrate the holiday by advocating for the unity of women from different backgrounds. Women’s Day celebrations often include music, dance performances, art exhibitions, and even poetry recitals.
Travel Tip: Traveling to South Africa for National Women’s Day might be the perfect situation for a girl’s trip.
Arts Alive Festival
The Arts Alive Festival is held in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is an annual event that occurs in September and brings the city to life. At this festival, travelers can expect a variety of art programs since the event highlights performing, visual, and literary arts. Even local and international artists perform so travelers should expect a good lineup with plenty of entertainment. This art festival is family-friendly and has food vendors so travelers can make it a day activity so they have time to explore the community.
Travel Tip: The Arts Alive Festival typically lasts a few days so visitors will have plenty of time to participate if they plan their trip accordingly.
Outdoor Adventures
There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors in South Africa. Since the weather is more pleasant, travelers won’t need to worry about being rained out. This season is a great time for hiking at national parks. The Kruger National Park, Addo Elephant National Park, and Marakele National Park are great options for travelers passing through South Africa. These scenic parks have nice trails ideal for winter exploration and feature extraordinary flora and fauna.
Travel Tip: For guaranteed comfort while exploring outdoor spaces in South Africa, it may be wise to stay in Durban which often has the warmest winter weather.
South Africa is a great destination with unique experiences to offer its visitors, especially during winter. Consider a visit to this beautiful nation to enjoy the many uniquely South African cultural events and activities. The winter is the best time to visit South Africa for many reasons but travelers will undoubtedly be able to add to this list once they have been introduced to the destination.
