Frequently Asked Questions

South Africa differs dramatically in both latitude and altitude. It is therefore subject to very different climates, temperatures and seasonal rainfall from province to province.

Average temperatures range from 15 to 36°C in summer, and -2°C to 26°C in winter. The average temperature for South Africa is 17.5°C, with monthly temperatures ranging between 22°C (December to January) and 11°C (June to July). 

The annual precipitation is 469.9 mm, with the highest rainfall from November to March. This is coupled with extremely low precipitation occurring between the months of June to August.

Southern Hemisphere Seasons

• Spring: September to November
• Summer: December to March
• Autumn: April and May
• Winter: June to August

Lowveld (Limpopo & Mpumalanga)

Winters in the lowveld are mild with night time and morning temperatures being cold, while day time temperatures can be in the high 20°C. Chances for rain is minimal at this time of the year. It’s best to dress in layers, which can be stripped off as the day heats up, and bring a pair of gloves and a beanie for crisp, early morning temperatures.  

Summer in the lowveld can be very hot, with regular thundershowers later in the day. A light rain jacket is recommended. 

Highveld (Gauteng, Mpumalanga & Limpopo)

Summer on the highveld is in general cool with late afternoon thundershowers.

Highveld winters can be rather cold with temperatures that can be below 0°C at night and in the early mornings. 

Western Cape (Cape Town)

The Western Cape climate is typically Mediterranean, with cold and wet winters. Sometimes it even snows on the Cape Fold Mountains. Summers here are generally mild, dry and windy with an average daily high of 15ºC up to 27ºC along the coastal regions, while inland areas are generally 3 to 5ºC higher on average. 

KwaZulu Natal (Durban)

Temperatures for Durban and coastal surrounds range from 16°C to 26°C on average during the winter months, with fairly consistent all year round water temperature averaging 21°C. 

Summer temperatures for Durban are between 23°C to 33°C on average, and can be accompanied with high humidity. 

The all year round climatic conditions combined with warm ocean temperatures allow for great beach and ocean based adventure activities.  

Inland temperatures can vary according to altitude and as the province ranges from sea level up to 3451 meters, icy conditions and snow can be expected in the mountainous areas of this province. 

For outdoor activities like walking safaris we strongly advise wearing neutral colours. These include khakis, browns, greens and darker shaded beiges. (White and bright colours are not recommended, but are okay for vehicle based safaris.) Closed, comfortable walking shoes are a must.

Even though we understand that you’d want to pack light, layers work best for colder days as they get hotter towards the end. South Africans are generally laid back, and establishments are fine with casual attire. But if you’d like to pack something more formal for a special occasion, go for it!

Malaria occurs in the low-lying areas of the Kruger National Park and surrounding game reserves within both the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, and in parts of KwaZulu-Natal. Yet these are considered as low risk areas.

This doesn’t mean that precautions shouldn’t be taken. Chat to a medical professional before visiting these areas.

Malaria transmission in South Africa is seasonal and generally coincides with the higher rainfall seasons of the north-eastern regions of the country. This means malaria cases increase from September/ October, peaking in January/ February, and starts declining by May. 

Absolutely! Cameras capture memories, and if you are serious about wildlife photography, be sure to bring yours along. A good phone camera will also suffice.    

Camera cards, batteries and other camera accessories are readily available in most urban areas. It’s always advisable to carry spares, especially on safari and in more remote areas. 

Binoculars are a must and will definitely add value to your overall safari experience. We recommend binoculars in the 8×32/ 8×42 range as these offer good magnification and light gathering. Lightweight, compact binoculars should be avoided, because while they provide great magnification, they also create a very poor image when it comes to viewing wildlife.