The best times to visit South Africa for ideal weather are
March 19th to May 27th
or
September 3rd to November 18th
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
South Africa Travel Guide
Other South Africa Travel Info
Weather in South Africa
Temperature
Average temperatures in South Africa vary somewhat. Considering humidity, temperatures feel very enjoyable all year with a very low chance of rain or snow throughout the year. The area is more temperate than most — in the 70th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit South Africa, the hottest months are January, February, and then December. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally late January where highs are regularly around 87°F (30.6°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 63.2°F (17.3°C) at night.
South Africa Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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South Africa Temperatures (Celsius)
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“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
South Africa Perceived Temperature (F)
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South Africa Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average South Africa Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
| Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 86.3 | 72.4 | 62.7 |
| Feb | 86.1 | 71.9 | 61.9 |
| Mar | 83.7 | 69.4 | 59.6 |
| Apr | 78.4 | 63.6 | 53 |
| May | 75.8 | 59.9 | 48.2 |
| Jun | 69.9 | 54 | 42.4 |
| Jul | 69.4 | 53.5 | 41.7 |
| Aug | 73.6 | 57.7 | 45.3 |
| Sep | 78.5 | 62.6 | 50.1 |
| Oct | 81.1 | 66.2 | 54.7 |
| Nov | 82.3 | 67.8 | 57 |
| Dec | 85 | 71.1 | 61.1 |
Show Celsius
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30.2 | 22.4 | 17.1 |
| Feb | 30.1 | 22.2 | 16.6 |
| Mar | 28.7 | 20.8 | 15.3 |
| Apr | 25.8 | 17.6 | 11.7 |
| May | 24.3 | 15.5 | 9 |
| Jun | 21.1 | 12.2 | 5.8 |
| Jul | 20.8 | 11.9 | 5.4 |
| Aug | 23.1 | 14.3 | 7.4 |
| Sep | 25.8 | 17 | 10.1 |
| Oct | 27.3 | 19 | 12.6 |
| Nov | 27.9 | 19.9 | 13.9 |
| Dec | 29.4 | 21.7 | 16.2 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in South Africa are May, August, and then July. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around late May. For example, on the week of May 21st there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in early to mid December with an average of 1 days of significant precipitation the week of December 10th.
When can you find snow in South Africa? Weather stations report no annual snow. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in South Africa.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in South Africa (in).
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Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 13% | 0 | 2.1 |
| Feb | 12% | 0 | 1.7 |
| Mar | 12% | 0 | 2 |
| Apr | 8% | 0 | 1.1 |
| May | 4% | 0 | 0.5 |
| Jun | 6% | 0 | 1 |
| Jul | 5% | 0 | 0.7 |
| Aug | 4% | 0 | 0.6 |
| Sep | 5% | 0 | 0.8 |
| Oct | 9% | 0 | 1.2 |
| Nov | 13% | 0 | 1.8 |
| Dec | 14% | 0 | 2.2 |
Show Centimeters
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 13 | 0 | 5.3 |
| Feb | 12 | 0 | 4.3 |
| Mar | 12 | 0 | 5.1 |
| Apr | 8 | 0 | 2.8 |
| May | 4 | 0 | 1.3 |
| Jun | 6 | 0 | 2.5 |
| Jul | 5 | 0 | 1.8 |
| Aug | 4 | 0 | 1.5 |
| Sep | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| Oct | 9 | 0 | 3 |
| Nov | 13 | 0 | 4.6 |
| Dec | 14 | 0 | 5.6 |
Humidity and Wind
South Africa has some comfortably humid months, with slightly drier months on the other side of the year. The least humid month is September (42.5% relative humidity), and the most humid month is March (57.1%).
Wind in South Africa is usually calm. The windiest month is November, followed by October and December. November’s average wind speed of around 6.4 knots (7.4 MPH or 11.9 KPH) is considered “a light breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in mid November where average top sustained speeds reach 11.1 knots, which is considered a moderate breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in South Africa.
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Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
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Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
| Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
| Jan | 5.7 | Light breeze | 9.9 | Gentle breeze |
| Feb | 5.4 | Light breeze | 9.4 | Gentle breeze |
| Mar | 5.1 | Light breeze | 9.1 | Gentle breeze |
| Apr | 4.7 | Light breeze | 8.4 | Gentle breeze |
| May | 4.6 | Light breeze | 8.3 | Gentle breeze |
| Jun | 5 | Light breeze | 8.9 | Gentle breeze |
| Jul | 5 | Light breeze | 8.9 | Gentle breeze |
| Aug | 5.6 | Light breeze | 9.8 | Gentle breeze |
| Sep | 5.9 | Light breeze | 10.2 | Gentle breeze |
| Oct | 6.2 | Light breeze | 10.6 | Gentle breeze |
| Nov | 6.4 | Light breeze | 10.8 | Gentle breeze |
| Dec | 6 | Light breeze | 10.3 | Gentle breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| Jan | 55.8% |
| Feb | 55.1% |
| Mar | 57.1% |
| Apr | 54.6% |
| May | 50.2% |
| Jun | 48.5% |
| Jul | 46.4% |
| Aug | 43.1% |
| Sep | 42.5% |
| Oct | 47.2% |
| Nov | 49.1% |
| Dec | 53.8% |
Is it Safe to Travel to South Africa?
Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are travel warnings for South Africa; exercise a high degree of caution. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. This advisory was last updated on Nov 30, 2023.
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in South Africa is January, followed by July and September. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit South Africa in December. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
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Overall South Africa Travel Experience by Season
Fall (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderate. Highs range from 85.5°F (29.7°C) and 73.3°F (22.9°C) with colder temperatures in the later months. Rain is rare with 1 to 4 days of significant precipitation per month. Fall is the slowest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for deals.
Winter (June through August)
The middle-year months have cold weather with high temperatures that are comfortable. These months see the least precipitation with 1 to 2 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the second busiest season for tourism in South Africa, so lodging and other accommodations may cost slightly more.
Spring (September through November)
Spring daily highs range from 83.8°F (28.8°C) and 77.7°F (25.4°C), which will feel very nice given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a normal amount: 2 to 4 days per month. Tourism is the busiest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be higher priced.
Summer (December through February)
Weather is perfect this time of year in South Africa to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 87°F (30.6°C) and 83.7°F (28.7°C). On average, it rains or snows a smalll amount: 3 to 4 times per month. These times of year are fairly slow with tourists.
Best Times to Travel › South Africa