Top cities in South Africa
Table Mountain and its cable car, the waterfront, the Cape of Good Hope and ocean beaches.
A coastal drive past lagoons and forests, from Mossel Bay to Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.
Africa's best-known safari reserve, home to the "Big Five": lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino.
The country's largest city and main airport, and the gateway to Kruger and Sun City.
A city on the Indian Ocean with warm beaches all year, a large Muslim community and halal food.
Weather in Cape Town by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 27° | 27° | 26° | 24° | 21° | 18° | 18° | 18° | 20° | 22° | 24° | 26° |
| Low | 17° | 17° | 15° | 12° | 10° | 8° | 7° | 8° | 9° | 12° | 13° | 16° |
| Rain (mm) | 9 | 10 | 13 | 40 | 61 | 92 | 85 | 72 | 44 | 28 | 25 | 13 |
| Month | High | Low | Rain (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27° | 17° | 9 |
| Feb | 27° | 17° | 10 |
| Mar | 26° | 15° | 13 |
| Apr | 24° | 12° | 40 |
| May | 21° | 10° | 61 |
| Jun | 18° | 8° | 92 |
| Jul | 18° | 7° | 85 |
| Aug | 18° | 8° | 72 |
| Sep | 20° | 9° | 44 |
| Oct | 22° | 12° | 28 |
| Nov | 24° | 13° | 25 |
| Dec | 26° | 16° | 13 |
Source: 1991–2020 normals, in degrees Celsius.
Best time to visit South Africa
The seasons are the reverse of ours: November to March is Cape Town's sunny, dry summer, with days of 24° to 27°, so the mid-year school break is a perfect time to go.
June to August is Cape Town's rainy winter (around 18° by day).
May to September is the best safari season in Kruger: the grass is short and animals gather around water.
Before you travel
- In the big cities, use trusted cars at night and keep valuables out of sight.
- South Africa uses its own type of plug, so bring an adapter.
- Halal food is easy to find, especially in Cape Town and Durban.
- Distances between cities are long, so domestic flights are faster.
Hotels in South Africa: the best areas to stay
Frequently asked questions
Do Saudis need a visa for South Africa?
No, Saudi passport holders can enter visa-free for up to 90 days.
Are there direct flights from Saudi Arabia to South Africa?
Not at the moment; fly with a connection via Dubai or Doha to Johannesburg or Cape Town.
When is the best time to visit Cape Town?
November to March, in their sunny summer, which matches our mid-year school break.
Last updated: October 2026. The information is for guidance only; entry requirements and flight schedules change. Please check the official requirements before travel. The binding price is the one in your booking confirmation.