A subtropical region, tempered by an ocean on three sides of the country and by the altitude of the interior plateau, it presents hot and temperate conditions so typical of South Africa and so appreciated by foreign visitors.
South Africa is renowned for its sunshine. It is a relatively dry country, with an average rainfall of around 464mm (compared to a global average of around 860mm). While the Western Cape province receives rainfall mainly in winter, the rest of the country is more of a summer rainfall region.
At the same time, temperatures in South Africa tend to be lower than in other countries at the same latitude, such as Australia, due to a higher elevation above sea level.
On the interior plateau, the altitude (Johannesburg is at 1694 metres) allows average temperatures to be maintained below 30°C. In winter, for the same reason, night temperatures can drop below zero, and sometimes even lower in some places.
The coastal regions of South Africa are therefore the warmest in winter. There is, however, a clear contrast between the temperatures on the east and west coasts of the country, due to the warm Agulhas Current and the cold Benguela Current respectively, which flow along the coasts.
Being in the southern hemisphere, our seasons are opposite those of Europe and North America, so yes, we spend Christmas at the beach.
Summer
For much of South Africa, summer (mid-October to mid-February) is characterised by warm, sunny weather, often accompanied by afternoon thunderstorms that quickly disappear, leaving a warm, earthy smell in the air that is typical of Africa.
The Western Cape province, with its Mediterranean climate, is an exception which receives rainfall in winter.
Autumn
Autumn in South Africa (mid-February to April) offers in some ways the best weather. Very little rainfall falls over the whole country, it is warm but not too warm and it becomes colder as the season progresses.
In Cape Town, autumn is fantastic with sunny, warm summer days and mild nights which many people enjoy by frequenting the café terraces.
Winter
Winter in South Africa (May to July) is characterised in the higher regions of the interior plateau by dry, sunny, brisk days and cold nights. It is a good idea to bring warm clothing.
The hot, humid coast of KwaZulu-Natal, as well as the Lowveld (lower regions) of Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces, experience beautiful winter weather with sunny, warm days and virtually no wind or precipitation.
The Western Cape receives rainfall mainly in winter, with a number of cloudy and rainy days. However, these are often interspersed with wonderful days rivalling the English summer.
The high mountains of the Cape and the Drakensberg of KwaZulu-Natal usually receive snow in winter.
Spring
Nowhere else in South Africa will you find a more spectacular spring (August to mid-October) than in the Cape provinces. Here the grey winter is quickly forgotten as hundreds of small, even insignificant plants cover the plains with a multicoloured carpet of flowers.
The trip to see the flowers of Namaqualand in the Western and Northern Cape provinces is an annual pilgrimage for many South Africans.
When is the best time of year to travel?
It depends on what you want to do. The flowers are at their best in August and September. The best time to visit nature reserves is late spring (September and October). Southern right whales pass close to our coasts from mid-June to the end of October.
Diving is possible throughout the country outside of summer (i.e. April to September), as is surfing but this does not limit these activities to these seasons.
Late winter in Cape Town and high summer in KwaZulu-Nata (late November to mid February) are the best times for river rafting. Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces are less weather dependent.
The intermediate regions (spring and autumn) are best for hiking as summer can be very hot throughout the country. In the Drakensberg, summer thunderstorms are dangerous and snow is not an exception in winter. In the Cape, winters are wet and hiking can be strenuous.
If you are a bird enthusiast, Palearctic migrants arrive around November and internal African migrants usually do so around mid-October.
Of course, if you want to lounge on the beaches, midsummer is the best time, although everyone else will be there too. And, as a big bonus, the beaches of northern KwaZulu-Natal are warm and sunny even in the middle of winter.
SAinfo reporter, including documents from the South African Tourism Board
