One thing that does surprise visitors to South Africa is how much the weather conditions vary across the country. If you watch the weather forecast on the news in the evening, it is amazing to learn that tomorrow's weather is going to be warm and wet in Cape Town, hot and sticky in Durban, hot and dry in Kruger, and just very pleasant in Jo'burg!
Because the country is so vast, there are distinct climatic zones as you go across the country, which also depend on the vegetation and altitude as well as the latitude and longitude.
The area around the Western Cape is heavily promoted as a 'winter-sun' destination during the northern hemisphere's winter, but it is worth bearing in mind that other destinations have just as nice or even better weather at different times of the year.
For example, the winter months in Kruger are the best time for game viewing. Water is scarcer, so the animals are more reliant on waterholes, so game-viewing around these areas is particularly good. The bush is also much drier, making it easier to spot the animals too!
The Western Cape
Around the Western Cape (Cape Town, the Cape Winelands and the Garden Route), average daytime temperatures in the summer months are very pleasant, ranging between 14°C up to 26°C.
On most days you will have 11 hours or more of sunshine, extending into warm evenings with the very occasional rain shower.
The summer south-easterly 'Cape Doctor' wind has not been as prevalent in recent years, but when it is, it can blow into an uncomfortable gale.
In the winter months (June to August), daily temperatures range between 7 to 20°C, but the bracing sea breeze can make the temperature feel colder, and this is also the main rainy season. Snow can fall on the highest mountain peaks.
Around Johannesburg and Sun City
One thing that Johannesburg does have in its favour is its pleasant all year round mild climate.
Partly due to is elevation of over 1,750m above sea level, Johannesburg is fortunate to have warm summer days and pleasant summer evenings, with average temperatures around 25°C.
Although this is the rainy season, rarely does the weather feel too humid. In the winter months, the temperatures are around 18 to 20°C with crisp, clear nights.
Around Kruger National Park
Around Kruger National Park, summers are extremely hot and humid.
Temperatures can soar over 40°C and this is also the rainy season.
However, many animals give birth during the height of summer, so it is an excellent time to visit if you want to see lion cubs at play or wobbly zebra foals following closely behind their mothers.
The winter months are substantially cooler and dryer, and generally better for game viewing.
The Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal
The Eastern Cape coastal regions enjoy pleasant warm summers, with an average daily temperature of 21°C and around 7 hours of sunshine. Winters are cooler.
Certain areas along the Eastern Cape will have rain all year, albeit it sporadic.
KwaZulu-Natal has a sub-tropical climate, with hot and humid summers and mild dry winters. Average daily summer temperatures are around 22°C, with high rainfall during January and February adding to the humidity.
Hardly any rain falls during the mild winter months, and average daily temperatures are normally around 13°C. It can snow in the Drakensberg during winter.
