It depends entirely on your destination as South Africa has been called " a world in one country".
On the interior ( Highveld) the summers are hot and thundery and the winters bright, dry and cold with sunshine throughout the year.
At the Cape (western coastal areas) the summer and autumn months ( January to May) are the best, because of the winter rainfall.
The eastern coastal area (Kwazulu Natal) has hot and humid summers at sea level. The winters are less humid (and probably the best time to go) with sunshine throughout the year.
South Africa caters for a wide spectrum of visitors - from 5-star hotels to self-catering accommodation.
Guest houses and Bed and Breakfasts have become increasingly popular with visitors mainly because of lower rates and excellent service.
Game Reserves & Game Lodges in South Africa as well as the National Parks have their own accommodation facilities.
Summer is from October to March with temperatures from 15 C (60 F) at night to 30 C ( 96 F) at noon.
Winter is from April to September with temperatures from 0 C (32 F) at night to 18C ( 66 F) at noon.
Despite regional differences, the climate is generally mild throughout the year. Except for the Western Cape, with a Mediterranean climate and winter rainfall, the rest of the country is a summer rainfall area.
South Africa ranks very high as far as sunshine days are concerned.
The top tourist attractions are:
- The Kruger National Park - one of the world's largest game reserves.
- The Cape Town - includes Table Mountain National Park, and the famous Robben Island.
- The Cape Winelands.
- Sun City - like Las Vegas, but created in the bush with facilities for sailing, swimming, golfing, gambling and game viewing.
- The Garden Route - a stretch of coast 200km.'s long of beaches, forests and mountains.
- Kwazulu Natal Game Reserves and parks such as Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, the estuary at St. Lucia and the great Drakensberge (Mountains of the Dragons).
See also South Africa Travel Experiences.
5-day drives
1. Kruger National Park Blyde River CanyonMpumalanga.
2. Garden Route Cape Town Mossel Bay Oudtshoorn Wilderness.
3. Durban Zululand Lake St Lucia Natal Game Parks.
4. Durban Valley of 1000 Hills Historic Battlefield Tours Zulu Cultural Experience.
5. Pretoria Johannesburg Gold Mine Sun City Pilanesberg Game Reserve
7-day drives
1.Augrabies Falls Upington Kalahari Gemsbok National ParkKimberley.
2. Pretoria Johannesburg City Tour Diamond Mine Soweto Sun City Pilanesberg Game Reserve.
3. Cape Town Waterfront Bloubergstrand Cape Point/Table Mountain Winelands - West Coast.
4. Mpumalanga Kruger National Park Northern Province (Limpopo)
5. Cape Town Table Mountain Winelands Karoo Garden Route Plettenberg Bay
Generally, South Africa's climate allows for a sunny holiday at any time of the year. However, your dress requirements may vary according to your particular destination.
It you intend spending a lot of time outdoors and definitely in summer, bring a hat for protection against the rather scorching sun. In the summer, lightweight cotton clothing is advised because daytime temperatures generally hover around 25-30 degrees Celsius.
For the brief period of January until Mid-March, temperatures sometimes reach 35 degrees. During this period, the nights might be just as hot. In the Cape, with its Mediterranean climate, there is no rain to cool down the air.You may or you may not want to bring a costume to swim in. There are a few topless and nude beaches in South Africa, but generally nudity is still frowned upon.
Further inland there is often an afternoon or evening thunderstorm. In fact, the rain may become quite heavy, so a raincoat is advisable. In the summer evenings, the heat usually lessens and only a light jacket is required.
In the winter months (May to October) the sun shines almost every day. Daytime temperatures hover around 17 to 22 degrees celsius. The evenings can get very cold. Temperatures have been known to plummet to below zero in Johannesburg, Gauteng.
Early morning and late afternoon temperatures are rather chilly too. Still, South Africa is not a country where firs are worn. Generally, on most sunny winter days, trousers and a jersey are all that you may require. In the Mediterranean stretch along the south-western Cape, winters are very wet.
Because winter temperatures do not justify having Central Heating in buildings and homes, Europeans tourists might find the winters harsher than South Africans do. We have become accustomed to the cold around us and simply put on more layers if necessary. Only in the last couple of years have some houses installed under floor heating.
In Johannesburg sometimes during winter, and in the Cape in the afternoon a rather chilly wind blows, so bring some wind-proof clothing along.