From its unique flora and fauna, to beautiful scenery that will leave any visitor breathless, South Africa is definitely a country rich in diversity. As with any country, South Africa included, it is best to know what seasons are more suitable for special interests than others are.



The following information is offered as a guideline, as weather patterns and wildlife rhythms are never predictable and can never be guaranteed at a specific time or in a specific area.



Wildlife Rhythms:

South Africa boasts a rich natural heritage, which is protected in its many nature reserves and national parks. South Africa is home to more than 300 mammalspecies, over 500 bird species, over 100 kinds of reptiles and countless insects, making it the ideal place for a true wildlife experience.



To observe and photograph animals in the reserves or parks, always requires a lot of patience and also good lenses with a long focal distance. The best time to visit for safari is between May to August, when there is less rain and much less dense vegetation, making animal sightings far more frequent.



Kruger National Park:

The Kruger National Park is the most well known park in South Africa and an influx of tourists come to enjoy a unique holiday. The best time for observing the animals in the Kruger National Park is the dry winter season. During this time, the grass is low, the bushes and trees don't have leaves, and one can have an unobstructed view of the surrounding area.



Winter in the Kruger Park is quite dry and rain is scarce. During this season, visitors will be able to spot the animals when they come to the waterholes in the mornings and evenings.



In summer the rain comes and it allows the rivers to flow, the pools to fill and even the bushveld looks lush. Unfortunately, this season makes it harder to locate and observe wildlife. Towards the end of November and early December, you will probably see newborns. Malaria is common at this time of the year, so ensure you take the necessary precautions.



Best time for activities in South Africa:

For aspiring botanists, the flowers in South Africa are best viewed in August and September. If you're looking to spot the magnificent Southern Right Whales, its best to flock to the coasts from mid-June to the end of October. Diving is best in most of the country outside of summer, which is April through September.



River rafting is better in the Cape at the end of winter, and in KwaZulu-Natal it is best at the height of summer, which is late November to mid-February. Bird watchers should keep binoculars handy around November, when the palaeoarctic migrants arrive and mid-October when the intra-African migrants arrive.



Birding:

Winter in the southern parts of South Africa tends to be quite dry, but around Cape Town it is wet. At this time, excellent bird watching can be had in the bushveld and lowveld areas of the northeast, while huge numbers of seabirds that breed on sub-Antarctic islands move north.



The spring season brings the first of the breeding migrants from further north in Africa, and also signals the start of the breeding season for the residentspecies. As the Weavers and Bishops emerge from their winter browns, so the Cuckoos arrive from warmer parts and the breeding season bursts into action.



Botany:

The vegetation in South Africa is influenced by the climate, ranging from the hardy succulents, aloes and spring flowering desert annuals of the parched western seaboard and the vast west-central wastelands to the mountain pines and dense lowland bushveld of the moist northeast.



Much of the inlandplateau ? particularly the central and northern regions ? consist of endless rolling grasslands which, because of the winter droughts and frosts is mostly bare of trees. Indeed, only a tiny part of the country is covered by natural forests, the largest a magical strip of tall ironwoods, yellowwoods and stinkwoods in the Knysna Tsitikamma forest.



A floral highlight in South Africa takes place in the little town of Namaqualand. This region is rich in succulents and flowering annuals. After the winter rains which takes place between late July and September ? the land is briefly and gloriously covered by great carpets of wildflowers.



Regions of South Africa:

The best time to visit the Gauteng and North-West Province is in late Spring which falls from September to October, as well as in autumn which is from March to April. The skies are normally clear during this time and the temperature is warm.



Summer in the Mpumalanga and Northern Province is very hot and humid. Winter is quite pleasant and sunny, making this the ideal time for a visit. Though the countryside is drier, the aloes are brilliant.



The subtropical climate of KwaZulu-Natal ensure that holidaymakers can enjoy a excellent holiday, virtually throughout the year. Rainfall is especially generous during summer, the air along the coastal belt is hot and humid.



The winter months in KwaZulu-Natal, which is from June to August are the best times to visit the coast. The tropical heat and high humidity in summer can cause discomfort. The warm Indian Ocean provides pleasant swimming, even in winter.

The Eastern Cape coast from mid-January to May, boast days that are warm and almost windless. Winter in the Wild Coast (Transkei), which falls from April to August, consists of light breezes and low humidity which ensures perfect days. The accommodation rates are low during this season.

The Garden Route and Little Karoo boasts a mild, equitable climate which makes it a pleasant destination all year round. Please note that this area gets busy around the December school holidays. The best times to visit the Western Cape is around September and October (spring), which is pleasant for the crisp air and for the stunning fynbos.



Climate:

Weather patterns, dictated by ocean currents, altitude, prevailing wind and the ever-changing nature of the land, vary dramatically from place to place. When it comes to the rainfall in South Africa, there are 3 broad regions. The southwestern tip of South Africa, centring on the city of Cape Town, has a winter rainfall which falls from May to August.

The southern and eastern coastal belts of South Africa enjoy perennial showers which are heavy ? almost tropical ? in KwaZulu-Natal, especially in summer. Rains over the rest of the country ? on the great central plateau and in the Lowveld to the east ? come irregularly and suddenly, with heavy summer thunderstorms.

Although South Africa's climate varies considerably across its various regions and environments, temperatures remain comfortable throughout the year.



Summer:



Summer in South Africa falls from mid-October to mid-February and most of the country is characterised by hot, sunny weather - often with afternoon thunderstorms that clear quickly, leaving a warm, earthy, uniquely African smell in the air.



Autumn:



Autumn in South Africa, which is from mid-February to April offers some of the best weather. Very little rain falls over the whole country, and it is warm but not too hot, getting colder as the season progresses. In Cape Town, autumn brings sunny days and warm, balmy nights.



Winter:



Winter in South Africa falls from May to July and is characterised in the higher-lying areas of the interior plateau by dry, crisp days and cold nights. The KwaZulu-Natal coast, as well as the Lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces, offer fantastic winter weather with sunny days and virtually no wind or rain.



The Western Cape gets most of its rain in winter, with quite a few days of cloudy, rainy weather. The high mountains of the Cape and the Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal usually get snow in winter.



Spring:



Spring, which is from August to mid-October is the most spectacular in the Cape provinces. Tourists flock to this part of the country to view the beautiful variety of flowers.
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