The best time to go to South Africa
From May through September is the finest season to visit South Africa for a wildlife safari. The Dry season occurs in the east of the country (where the major parks are located) throughout these winter months. During the dry season, wildlife is easier to detect since vegetation thins and animals congregate around waterholes and rivers. The parks and reserves in Greater Kruger and KwaZulu-Natal are covered in the 'Kruger & Around' sections below.
The dry and wet seasons in Cape Town are the polar opposites of those in Kruger. As a result, the best time to visit Cape Town and its environs is from November to March, when the weather is dry. The sections below about Cape Town and its environs apply to the entire Western Cape as well as surrounding parks.
Low safari season, which spans from November to April, features lower prices, occasional rain showers, and lusher landscapes that make for beautiful images but can make finding wildlife more difficult. Consult your travel agent about the best options for your schedule and personal preferences.
