Spring
It is the country’s wettest and most tropical province, having a typical southern African bimodal climate, with the wet season lasting from October to April, the dry season lasting from June to August, and the transition months of late April-May (autumn) and September (spring).
While the Western Cape experiences less rain, Johannesburg and Kruger have sporadic showers, and the earliest afternoon thunderstorms can bring an early splash of green to the parched game areas. However, it is unlikely to have a significant impact on your safari experience.
The good news is that northern game parks’ nights are beginning to warm up, while early mornings can still be extremely frigid. And, despite the growing temperature, days and evenings in Cape Town can be pleasant. Rainy afternoons and fewer hours of sunlight are also becoming more common in Durban and KwaZulu-Natal. Temperatures in Cape Town average 66°F (19°C), Johannesburg 73°F (23°C), and Kruger National Park 84°F (29°C).
Crowds and Fees
Tourism is normally low during the September shoulder season, and lodging options are plentiful. The exceptions are Kruger and other northern game parks, where game watching remains a major appeal, and the West Coast, where visitors can enjoy the tail end of wildflower season.
However, as South Africa prepares for summer, there is a boom in local tourists during the short spring school holiday in late September. The holiday falls on the same weekend as the Hermanus Whale Festival, which draws large visitors to the Garden Route. You should plan ahead of time. Fortunately, the beach resorts of Durban and KwaZulu-Natal are more tranquil further north.
What to Do
The month of September is often regarded as the greatest for game watching in Kruger National Park and other northern reserves. The bone-dry end-of-winter months and animal grazing have reduced leaf cover to a bare minimum, and thirsty wildlife densities around perennial waterholes are at an all-time high. There is no better time to see leopards and cheetahs. The first afternoon thunderstorms can add to the drama as temperatures and humidity rise.
September is also the last chance to avoid the sweltering heat of the oncoming summer in the Kalahari. Visit Tswalu Kalahari Private Game Reserve or Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park to witness black-maned lions and engage with the San Bushmen. Take a road trip across the central Karoo and down the West Coast to capture the last wildflower blooms, including the world-famous Namaqualand daisies, which bloom in late August and early September to make the most of your trip.
With the winter rains decreasing, prepare to travel along the magnificent Garden Route coastline, including a detour inland to the amazing Cango Caves. Southern right whales can still be sighted in the vicinity of Plettenberg Bay. Beyond Port Elizabeth, Addo Elephant National Park and the region’s other game reserves provide excellent wildlife watching without the crowds. You’ll also benefit from superb value for money lodging at this time of year.
What Should You Do?
While in Cape Town, September is an excellent time to take in the panoramic views from the top of Table Mountain. Hike one of the many trails after taking the picturesque cableway with revolving cabins. Keep an eye out for cute rock hyrax and your camera ready. Expect “Goldilocks” weather, with temperatures that are neither too hot nor too chilly. Then, take a nostalgic ride on the 1949 Atlantic Rail steam train that runs between Cape Town and Simon’s Town. On this 6-hour round-trip excursion across the picturesque coastline of False Bay and the quaint settlements of St James and Kalk Bay, experience the impression of yesteryear luxury.
If you enjoy being near water, take the Garden Route to Knysna before the summer throng arrive. The serene Knysna Lagoon is an angler’s paradise as well as a popular activity hub for stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, and water skiing. You may even rent a houseboat for a multi-day upriver expedition. And, with the whale-watching season at its best off the Western Cape, Knysna is an excellent location for a boat tour to see humpbacks and southern right whales up close. Finish with an adrenaline-pumping bungee jump off Bloukrans Bridge.
Is it rainy season in South Africa in September?
The months of September and October are mostly bright, with temperatures rising as the year progresses. In November, rain begins in the Kruger and KwaZulu Natal, typically followed by dramatic afternoon thunderstorms.
Is September a good month to visit South Africa?
If you want to see a variety of locations and wildlife, September is the best month to visit South Africa. The weather is generally pleasant, and attractions include frolicking newborn wildlife and breaching whales.
