In very general terms, the main inland plateau (the highveld) and the western and north-eastern reaches of the country (Upper Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga lowveld and Kruger Park) have dry winters and wet summers.  During the summer, the highveld enjoys a very pleasant climate with low humidity. With the exception of occasional cold fronts, summer rainfall is rarely sustained and occurs mostly in the form of short summer storms that break the heat in the middle part of the day, deluge smartly then disappear in time for tea or sundowners to be taken out in the open.  The lowveld is sub-tropical and experiences fairly high levels of humidity in peak summer, which is moderated on the coast.

The opposite is true of the Western Cape, encompassing Cape Town and the Garden Route, which enjoys a climate which is similar to that of the Mediterranean. The Cape receives most of its rainfall in the winter months and has very warm summers.  Cold fronts do roll through from time to time in the early summer months, with January through to March being generally dry and more stable. If you are planning a tour that is focused on the Cape, then it’s best to focus on the period between October and early April.  However, if you are visiting in the cooler months, perhaps for a safari, we’d urge you not to ignore the Cape, especially if it’s your first visit – South Africa receives high levels of sunshine throughout the year.  Note also that if you are planning to hike in the inland regions of the Cape, such as the Cederberg, Overberg or Klein Karoo, it’s better to avoid the peak and late summer months owing to heat.

The Drakensberg can be visited throughout the year, but seasonal variations will dictate how you visit it. Day hikes can be made all year round if you base yourself at one of the hotels or lodges that we recommend.  A winter outing beneath cloudless skies, with cool early morning and late afternoon temperatures, returning to sit in front of a log fire in your hotel has as much to recommend it as a warm walk in high summer, when everything around you is vividly green, with possible localised storms threatening the afternoon skies.

However, if you are planning a multiday trek which involves camping, greater consideration should be given to the choice of season and the challenges faced by extremes in mountain weather. With the right equipment, you can trek at any time of year, but owing to the degree of cold experienced on high in winter, this is the season that most will seek to avoid.  An exception to this is the 3-day Drakensberg Amphitheatre Trek, which is fully accommodated and is truly a trek for all seasons.

The summer months (Late October to Early March) are generally very warm and pleasant, the mountains are lush and green, and colours can be particularly vibrant, especially after rains.  However, the summer is when the Drakensberg receives its main rainfall and sudden storms are frequently the order of the day.  During the summer, it’s recommended that you start out early and take advantage of the generally good weather before the heat builds up and storms start appearing (anytime from late morning onwards). 

When hiking lower down, in the Little ‘Berg (sandstone level), one can very often seek shelter from storms in caves or rock shelters until the storm threat passes, and then you can resume hiking.  Note that sometimes summer storms can be very violent and sustained and your guide may direct you back to base when the storm threat looks particularly ominous.

In winter, the Drakensberg can get very cold and snow is not uncommon on the high tops – occasionally it covers the low-lying areas but rarely hangs around for long.  However, winter is generally a dry period and excellent for making day hikes.  Hikers planning to camp out need to be properly equipped for winter camping.  Temperatures in the high mountain (ie. up at 3000m) are frequently down around the -5 to -10 degrees C mark at night but can drop lower during a cold front.  During the daytime, temperatures are usually “fresh” early and late in the day, but skies are frequently cloudless and the light good.  Hiking low down, shorts could still be worn! 

The autumn (late March until mid-May) and spring (late August until mid-October) are generally considered the best times for following multiday treks that take in the upper reaches of the Drakensberg escarpment, as it’s generally dry and sufficiently warm on high for traverses with camping to be made in relative comfort.  During these periods, typical maximum temperatures during the daytime reach between 15 and 20 degrees C, and night-time temperatures typically fall to between 5 and -5 degrees C, depending upon whether it’s the warm or cold end of each of these periods.  Snowfalls can sometimes occur as early as April and as late as September, although this is more the exception rather than the rule. Snow tends to disappear quickly. At all times of year, there is always the chance that cold fronts can sweep up from the Cape, and these can bring cold, wet (summer) or snowy (winter) weather in the Drakensberg for up to several days at a stretch.

Hiking can be undertaken at all times of year in the Cape provided you are prepared. The Cape receives most of its rainfall in the winter months and has very warm summers, with the optimal time for general touring falling between October and early April.  It can become very hot when hiking during Cape summers, but doing so close to the coast, including on Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula, is fine – temperatures may sometimes exceed 30 degrees C, but winds off the sea can be cooling and humidity is generally not a problem. Day hikes a little way inland, eg. in the Winelands, are also fine – just plan to start and finish early.  Note that cold fronts do roll across the Western Cape in summer and its not uncommon to experience very cool, wet days. The renowned south-easter wind, responsible for the “Table Cloth” on Table Mountain, can also blow in and this can cause severe wind-chill on the higher tops of the Cape Peninsula. You could be wearing shorts and T-shirt for a hike on one day and full wet-weather gear the next!

If you are planning to hike in the inland regions of the Cape, such as the Cederberg, Overberg or Klein Karoo, it’s better to avoid the peak and late summer months owing to heat if you can. Spring and Autumn months are much better for these areas.  The winter can be an exhilarating time to visit these regions too, but night-time temperatures can be very low (frosts low down) and it’s not uncommon for the higher elevations, particularly in the Cederberg, which has tops over 2,000m, to receive snowfall in winter.

In very general terms, the optimal time to go on safari is when the weather is dry as the lack of water forces wildlife to congregate around water holes and perennial rivers, and vegetation has died back, which extends lines of sight.  This is especially true for walking safaris – it’s also considered to be safer to walk when lines of sight ensure that you don’t startle wildlife, especially animals that pose a threat to life, that may be concealed until you almost walk into them.  Equally, it is often much more difficult to move through overgrown bush, for example, areas of grassland that can become very tall in the green season. Most, though not all, walking safaris are operated on a seasonal basis – in Mpumalanga, where the Kruger National Park is located, and KwaZulu-Natal, the optimal time is between about April and October. In the Cape (yes, there are walking safaris here too!), summer is the optimal time.

Most safari camps in South Africa operate all year round, and there can be good reasons for going at all times of year.  Although wildlife is most prolific (concentrated around limited sources of water) in the dry, winter months (especially August and September) there is always something to see.  Birding is also possible all year round, but the best time in South Africa’s main parks is during the summer months, when migratory birds are resident. Temperatures will also play a part – The Kruger Park and other lowveld game reserves become very hot during the peak summer months and you may wish to seek out a safari camp that has air-conditioning, or visit at a cooler time. April and May can be very good months as you will be past the summer heat, yet evening temperatures are still relatively mild.

If your primary motivation for visiting South Africa is a safari, then pick your season if you can. However, if you don’t have flexibility and are compelled to travel in high summer, do still consider incorporating a safari. Some reserves, eg. Madikwe, don’t suffer the humidity of those located in the lowveld.