winter in South Africa - Cape Town - General Tips & Advice Reviews

Our winter down here is often the best time to visit the parks. I was just in Johannesburg this weekend and the weather was typical of the entire season: strong sun, clear blue skies, chilly nights and mornings but daytime temperatures are warm. Cape Town will get its rain, but also a lot of sunny days (the past 5 have been clear and warm).

For the parks, this is an ideal time in many ways. Kruger, Pilanesburg, and the northeastern areas are pleasant and warm, while the cool morning temps mean that you'll see hippos out of the water instead of escaping the heat underneath it. The Natal coast is also a lot drier than in summer, when it receives most of its rain. So while parks like Hluhluwe-Umfolozi get fewer rainy days, they are less green.

This is considered SA's high season for game parks, so make sure to check availability in the parks if you intend to stay in them overnight. There are always accommodation options outside the parks, but you'll miss out on the night drives unless you can find an organization that has permission to enter after hours (this exists in some parks but not others). Check out: http://www.sanparks.org/ or write to an agent - they won't cost you any extra since they get their commissions from the parks system itself. One example is www.go2africa.com, althgouh they lean towards nicer accommodation and not budget.

Good luck!