This is the height of South Africa’s summer, but thanks to the ocean breeze and relative coolness of the mountains it’s a fantastic time of year to explore the Cape. Starting in the early morning, walk up Table Mountain for views across Cape Town and out to sea. Alternatively, if you’re feeling lazy, ride up in the cable car. For a malaria-free safari, choose Shamwari in the Eastern Cape.
Autumn along the Garden Route and in the winelands is spectacular as the leaves turn gold and red. Weather is good providing easy driving and clear views across the valleys and off the coast where dolphin and whale swim. For safaris in this month we recommend Madikwe and Limpopo. Madikwe alone has over 10,000 large mammals including lion, cheetah, and wild dog, and Limpopo’s Waterberg is a protected UNESCO Biosphere.
After the autumn rains, South Africa’s reserves look their best. Vegetation is lush and animals are well fed. KwaZulu Natal is particularly idyllic as many plants are in fruit or flower. The Cape tends to be quieter, it’s the perfect time to play on one of the Championship golf courses. Weather will be pleasant, the greens truly green, and there are unlikely to be any queues.
The anticipated whale watching season has begun. Cape Town is rightly regarded as the whale watching capital of the world, so spend a few days here spotting these magnificent mammals from the cliffs and beaches, though a specialist boat trip will get far closer. Combine this with golfing or a week out on safari. The parks are green, the wildlife content, and the air temperature is pleasantly cool.
The UK’s summer holidays coincide with South Africa’s midwinter, which is arguably the best time of year to visit. However, it’s peak season, so you’ll need to book early to get the best family accommodation in the Kruger private reserves or in malaria-free Madikwe. A quieter alternative is to head to KwaZulu Natal. The near-deserted coastline offers brilliant diving spots, history of the battlefields and fascinating culture.
Prime safari time continues throughout September and October: it doesn’t matter which park or reserve you visit as you can’t go wrong. Hikers should consider September for walking in the Drakensberg Mountains and the Blyde River Canyon, both incredibly scenic but can be hot at other times of the year. Diving and whale watching off the Cape remains good and Namaqualand’s wild flowers will be in magnificent bloom.
South Africa’s summer starts and temperatures begin to rise. Kruger and Madikwe are already hot, but that creates excellent game viewing as animals spend much of their day around watering holes. We recommend November for visiting Cape Town and the Winelands. They are still hot but sitting on a terrace overlooking vineyards, with a cold glass of white wine in hand, is a rather enjoyable way to spend an afternoon!
Book early if you want to spend Christmas or New Year in South Africa. You do need to plan ahead but it’s well worth the effort as both Cape Town and the Garden Route are magnificent at this time of year. Migrant birds arrive from Europe and North Africa at this time, so birders will be in their element. Bring your binoculars as there are plenty of species to spot.
Cape Town is one of the world’s great cities with a unique setting beneath Table Mountain. It’s a place to enjoy the good things of life: fabulous food, a vibrant culture, sports and exciting adventures. It’s an easily accessible, relaxed destination which captivates the hearts of those who visit and makes them want to come back for more.
South Africa is the only African country where you can enjoy a guaranteed malaria free safari. This makes it an excellent choice for a family safari and our experts know safari lodges with superb family accommodation.
Take an unforgettable journey through the heart of South Africa on one of country's finest and most luxurious trains. Exuding the romance of a bygone era, magnificent scenery merges with the elegance and glamour of the golden age of rail travel, Rovos Rail promises an experience like no other.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu was the first person to call South Africa “the rainbow nation”. It’s a reflection on the fascinating diversity of this country, not only in the identities of its people but in the landscapes, wildlife, cultures, and activities it offers. South Africa is a country which, because of its variety, can be all things to all people, truly a rainbow of varied opportunities and experiences.
To experience a little bit of everything that South Africa has to offer, you can hardly do better than to drive along the coastal road of the Garden Route between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. It’s an extraordinary journey, and there’s wildlife on both land and shore, endless beaches, historic battlefields, and the vineyards are never far away. One day you might be whale spotting at Hermanus — renowned as one of the best whale watching locations in the world — and the next you could be learning about the Battle of Rorke’s Drift, handling antique weapons and scrambling over the British and Zulu positions.
Formerly the Zulu Kingdom, the province of KwaZulu Natal runs along South Africa’s dramatic Indian Ocean coastline. The Drakensberg Mountains create a natural border between Lesotho and the Eastern Cape, and offer some excellent hiking routes.
Without a shadow of a doubt, South Africa is one of the very best places to watch wildlife in the world. The Kruger National Park — a protected area the size of Wales — is certainly the most famous and popular safari destination, but with Africa Exclusive you’ll escape the crowds to explore vast, wildlife-filled private reserves, in the company of the best guides.
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