AU
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When to go · Climate guide
South Africawhen to go
South Africa's national averages run from 20 °C in July to 30 °C in January, with rainfall between 12 mm in August and 79 mm in January and 6.5–9.0 hours of sun a day. Against the default preferences (under 2.7 mm of rain a day, at least 6 hours of sun), the strongest months are March, April and October. Its 9 regions span 24–28 °C in annual mean temperature, so the national figure hides a good deal.
- Capital
- Bloemfontein
- Region
- Africa
- TZ
- Africa/Johannesburg
- Area
- 1,220,031 km²
Best months to visit
When South Africa shines
Climate at a glance · 10-year ERA5
A decade of weather, in one page
— daytime high— overnight low▬ typical range
View data table
| Month | Average daytime high (°C) | Average overnight low (°C) | Typical low | Typical high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30.3 | 17.4 | 14.6 | 33.9 |
| February | 29.7 | 17.3 | 14.5 | 33.2 |
| March | 28.4 | 15.6 | 12.3 | 32.2 |
| April | 25.1 | 12.3 | 9.0 | 29.6 |
| May | 22.9 | 8.5 | 5.3 | 26.8 |
| June | 20.0 | 5.5 | 2.5 | 23.3 |
| July | 19.7 | 4.7 | 1.3 | 23.2 |
| August | 21.8 | 6.3 | 2.7 | 26.3 |
| September | 25.0 | 9.6 | 5.9 | 29.4 |
| October | 27.1 | 12.3 | 7.9 | 32.7 |
| November | 28.5 | 14.3 | 10.8 | 33.0 |
| December | 29.5 | 16.2 | 13.3 | 33.4 |
View data table
| Month | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| January | 79 |
| February | 76 |
| March | 55 |
| April | 52 |
| May | 19 |
| June | 15 |
| July | 13 |
| August | 12 |
| September | 21 |
| October | 36 |
| November | 55 |
| December | 79 |
View data table
| Month | Sunshine hours (hr / day) |
|---|---|
| January | 8.9 |
| February | 8.0 |
| March | 7.6 |
| April | 6.7 |
| May | 6.9 |
| June | 6.5 |
| July | 6.8 |
| August | 7.4 |
| September | 8.0 |
| October | 8.6 |
| November | 9.0 |
| December | 9.0 |
— average▬ typical range
View data table
| Month | Average wind speed (km/h) | Typical low | Typical high |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12.2 | 9.7 | 15.8 |
| February | 11.5 | 9.1 | 14.7 |
| March | 10.8 | 8.4 | 14.1 |
| April | 10.5 | 7.9 | 14.3 |
| May | 10.3 | 7.7 | 14.7 |
| June | 11.6 | 8.3 | 16.5 |
| July | 11.8 | 8.5 | 17.2 |
| August | 12.1 | 8.9 | 16.9 |
| September | 12.6 | 9.3 | 17.3 |
| October | 13.1 | 9.7 | 17.6 |
| November | 13.1 | 10.3 | 16.6 |
| December | 13.0 | 10.7 | 15.9 |
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Sea surface temperature
Sea surface temperature for South Africa is part of the Premium map and its district-level detail. See what Premium includes.
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Heat index
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Humidity
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What’s open · year round
Things to do in South Africa
Nothing on this list closes for the season in South Africa, but every one of them has a window worth aiming for.
- LimitedKruger game viewing
Limited December–February · at its best May–September
Sources: go2africa.com, approachtours.com
- At its best
Opening seasons are checked by hand against the operators and parks themselves, not derived from the climate figures on this page. Last reviewed 2026-08-28. Dates move — confirm before you book.
Safety · 6 governments
What the governments say about South Africa
Combined advisory · most-cautious-wins
Exercise increased caution
Highest level across 6 governments · Advisory last changed
See breakdown by countryHide breakdown
CA
Level 2Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased caution
DE
Level 1Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautions
NL
Level 2Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased caution
UK
Level 1Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautions
US
Level 2Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased caution
Month by month
A year in South Africa, in order
- JanJanuary30.3°C · 79 mm · 8.9 hr/day
Around 30 °C with 79 mm of rain and 8.9 hours of sun a day.
Around 30 °C with 79 mm of rain and 8.9 hours of sun a day.
- FebFebruary29.7°C · 76 mm · 8.0 hr/day
Around 30 °C with 76 mm of rain and 8.0 hours of sun a day.
Around 30 °C with 76 mm of rain and 8.0 hours of sun a day.
- MarMarch28.4°C · 55 mm · 7.6 hr/day
Around 28 °C with 55 mm of rain and 7.6 hours of sun a day.
Around 28 °C with 55 mm of rain and 7.6 hours of sun a day.
- AprApril25.1°C · 52 mm · 6.7 hr/day
Around 25 °C with 52 mm of rain and 6.7 hours of sun a day.
Around 25 °C with 52 mm of rain and 6.7 hours of sun a day.
- MayMay22.9°C · 19 mm · 6.9 hr/day
Around 23 °C with 19 mm of rain and 6.9 hours of sun a day.
Around 23 °C with 19 mm of rain and 6.9 hours of sun a day.
- JunJune20.0°C · 15 mm · 6.5 hr/day
Around 20 °C with 15 mm of rain and 6.5 hours of sun a day.
Around 20 °C with 15 mm of rain and 6.5 hours of sun a day.
- JulJuly19.7°C · 13 mm · 6.8 hr/day
Around 20 °C with 13 mm of rain and 6.8 hours of sun a day.
Around 20 °C with 13 mm of rain and 6.8 hours of sun a day.
- AugAugust21.8°C · 12 mm · 7.4 hr/day
Around 22 °C with 12 mm of rain and 7.4 hours of sun a day.
Around 22 °C with 12 mm of rain and 7.4 hours of sun a day.
- SepSeptember25.0°C · 21 mm · 8.0 hr/day
Around 25 °C with 21 mm of rain and 8.0 hours of sun a day.
Around 25 °C with 21 mm of rain and 8.0 hours of sun a day.
- OctOctober27.1°C · 36 mm · 8.6 hr/day
Around 27 °C with 36 mm of rain and 8.6 hours of sun a day.
Around 27 °C with 36 mm of rain and 8.6 hours of sun a day.
- NovNovember28.5°C · 55 mm · 9.0 hr/day
Around 28 °C with 55 mm of rain and 9.0 hours of sun a day.
Around 28 °C with 55 mm of rain and 9.0 hours of sun a day.
- DecDecember29.5°C · 79 mm · 9.0 hr/day
Around 30 °C with 79 mm of rain and 9.0 hours of sun a day.
Around 30 °C with 79 mm of rain and 9.0 hours of sun a day.
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