Best time to safari in South Africa

South Africa safari in February

This is the hottest month of the year in Cape Town, with little to no rain. The safari destinations of South Africa are experiencing relative humidity and considerable rainfall.

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It is the end of the birthing period in the Kruger National Park, with dense numbers of young impala, kudu, blue wildebeest and more, causing a hive of excitement amongst the predators.

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This is the ideal time to visit the Western Cape’s Winelands for a tasting, spectacular scenery and a culinary delight.

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The Garden Route enjoys it's best weather at this time of the year, with sandy beaches, beautiful views and very few other tourists.

South Africa safari in March

March is still hot and relatively dry across South Africa with Cape Town receiving less rain than the rest of the country.

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This is a great time for wildlife photographers in the Kruger National Park region, with clear skies, low humidity and less dust. The wildlife and vegetation is at its most vibrant although relatively spread out.

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This is the ideal time to visit the Western Cape’s Winelands for wine tasting, spectacular scenery and a culinary delight.

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The Garden Route enjoys it's best weather at this time of the year, with sandy beaches, beautiful views and very few other tourists.

South Africa safari in April

Temperatures in most of South Africa are cooling, with rainfall starting to dry up. Cape Town on the other hand is seeing the first of its rainfall usually in the form of occasional showers.

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In the Kruger National Park it is the impala, wildebeest and warthog rutting (breeding) season, with males at their most impressive, fighting for the opportunity to mate.

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In the Cape, wind has dropped, providing the perfect opportunity to hike Table Mountain, soak up some culture at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens or explore the historic Robin Island.

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The Garden Route enjoys it's best weather at this time of the year, with sandy beaches, beautiful views and very few other tourists.

South Africa safari in May

Expect some rain in Cape Town over the course of a lengthy stay, with the rest of South Africa experiencing the end of the transition period from wet summer to dry winter, offering moderate temperatures and little to no rain.

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This is the start of the dry season in the Kruger National Park, with wildlife in its best condition after the season of plenty.

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Beat the crowds by visiting the Cape in this month, weather can be poor but this is made up for with an incredible range of indoor activities including organic markets, rich cultural experiences and wine farm dining next to a roaring fire.

South Africa safari in June

In Cape Town the wet season has arrived with almost half the days experiencing some rain. Across the rest of South Africa, temperatures are comfortable but have dropped considerably at night, with morning frost on occasion and rainfall drying up.

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The Kruger National Park region is enjoying exceptional game viewing, with vegetation thinning and wildlife staying close to the permanent water sources.

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Beat the crowds by visiting the Cape in this month, weather can be poor but this is made up for with an incredible range of indoor activities including organic markets, rich cultural experiences and wine farm dining next to a roaring fire.

South Africa safari in July

Cape Town is experiencing the peak of its wet season with colder temperatures and a one in two chance of rain. Across the rest of South Africa, nights are cold and possibly frosty, day temperatures are comfortable with rainfall drying up.

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The Kruger National Park region is enjoying exceptional game viewing, with vegetation thinning and wildlife staying close to the permanent water sources.

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Best time of the year to visit Tswalu Kalahari in search of wildlife rarities like pangolin and aardvark or have an intimate encounter with the resident meerkat.

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It is whale viewing season in the Western Cape, with these impressive animals migrate up the east coast of southern Africa.

South Africa safari in August

Across most of South Africa the coldest night temperatures have passed, with the daylight hours warming considerably, rain is still very unlikely. In Cape Town it is still the wet season, with high chances of rainfall.

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The Kruger National Park region is enjoying exceptional game viewing, with vegetation thinning and wildlife staying close to the permanent water sources.

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Best time of the year to visit Tswalu Kalahari in search of wildlife rarities like pangolin and aardvark or have an intimate encounter with the resident meerkat.

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It is whale viewing season in the Western Cape, with these impressive animals migrate up the east coast of southern Africa.

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The beautiful wildflowers of the Western Capes Namaqua region are in bloom, providing a sea of colour in the countryside.

South Africa safari in September

The best time to safari in South Africa, with warm daytime weather, low humidity and very little rain. Cape Town experiences a handful of rainy days as the wet season comes to an end.

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Game viewing is ideal in the Kruger National Park region, the stunning Boer Bean trees are in flower with vegetation thin and wildlife congregating around the waterholes.

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Best time of the year to visit Tswalu Kalahari in search of wildlife rarities like pangolin and aardvark or have an intimate encounter with the resident meerkat.

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It is whale viewing season in the Western Cape, with these impressive animals migrate up the east coast of southern Africa.

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The beautiful wildflowers of the Western Capes Namaqua region are in bloom, providing a sea of colour in the countryside.

South Africa safari in October

Temperatures are relatively hot across most of South Africa, with a marked rise in the amount of rainfall, usually in the form of afternoon showers. Cape Town is the exception, with a drop in rainfall and mild temperatures.

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As the first of the rains arrive in the Kruger region, life burst forth from everywhere with birds displaying breeding plumage and wildlife still being easily visible.

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The perfect time to visit Cape Town, climb table mountain, visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens or explore the Winelands, beating the festive season crowds.

South Africa safari in November

Although daytime temperatures can be hot and humid, there is no better time to go in search of the nesting loggerhead and leatherback turtles of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (St. Lucia wetlands park).

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South Africa's temperatures are still hot and a little humid with the first showers of the wet season, it should be noted that in most cases rains are just passing afternoon showers. Cape Town is enjoying warm sunny days with little to no chance of rain.

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This is the wet season in the Kruger National Park, expect short, dramatic afternoon showers with plenty of sunshine hours throughout the rest of the day to view lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo and if you are lucky leopard.

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The perfect time to visit Cape Town, climb table mountain, visit kirstenbosch gardens or explore the winelands beating the festive season crowds.

South Africa safari in December

A wonderful time of year in the Kruger National Park region, the morning glory and flame lilies are in flower with lots of young animals around, stirring the predators into a frenzy.

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Summer is in full swing in Cape Town, if you don't mind the crowds there is no better time to relax on the beaches, explore coastal towns, climb Table Mountain or visit the Winelands.

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South Africa is experiencing hot temperatures with relative humidity and rain falling in the form of afternoon showers or occasional, dramatic storms. Cape Town is the exception with little to no rain.