Best time to go to South Africa
The northern parts of South Africa (Kruger, Gauteng, Limpopo) are best during the winter months (June to September) with wildlife and game viewing at its best. The temperatures are mild (maximum 20-23ºC), with bouts of cold conditions and, very rarely, snow. There is very little winter rainfall in the north.
The southern parts (Cape Town, Garden Route, Eastern Cape) are best during the summer months (November to March). The temperature can reach 28-30ºC or higher. The Atlantic Ocean brings relief in the form of a cool breeze along the coast. Rainfall is low during the summer. May to August is considered to be the worst time to be in the Cape, due to the weather usually being wet, cold and windy.
Tourism in Southern Africa peaks between Christmas and mid-January, and again in Easter. Accommodation in tourist areas and national parks is heavily booked, and prices can increase by more than double.
Botswana: The high season is from July to October. The shoulder season from May to June is dry with very cold mornings and evenings. November to April is a less popular time to visit due to the rains that cause animals to disperse over wider areas and many roads become inaccessible due to the mud. Photography is excellent year-round, scenery is most spectacular from September to February during the first rains. For wildlife the winter months from May to September are best as the vegetation is less dense and game viewing is generally more prolific. Birding season is from October to March. Flood season starts in April.
Mozambique: The best time to visit is from May/June to November when temperatures average 24-27ºC and there is little rainfall. The rainy summer months (December to April) are sticky, with temperatures exceeding 30ºC.
Zambia: The dry season generally runs from May to October, while the wet season generally runs from November to March. During the dry season temperatures range from 6-24ºC while the wet season is much hotter, averaging 25-35ºC. During the dry season the bush thins out and game viewing is at its best, while the wet season is ideal for bird watching.
Zimbabwe: The summer months are November to April, this is also the rainy season. Winter is May to October, early mornings and sunrises can be cool but there is little rainfall. Wildlife viewing is at its best during the winter months, especially September and October. The Victoria Falls are spectacular from April to June after the rains, although the thick spray may obscure your view. At the end of the dry season, October to December, the water levels are low and the magnificent rock formations can be seen.
Namibia: Winter is May to December, temperatures range between 18 and 25ºC during the day, but it can go below 0ºC at night, with frost. Summer is October to April, daytime temperatures range between 20 and 34ºC. This is also the rainy season when over 600mm falls annually along the Okavango River. Mammals are best viewed in the drier months, June to October, when they gather around waterholes while birds are more prolific during the wet summer months.
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