During June through August, many travelers avoid the southern hemisphere because it's winter there. South Africa sees a dip in tourism compared to its summer months, which are November to February.
However, if you've always wanted to visit South Africa and the only time you have free is June to August, then don't be scared by the winter. Here's a guest article to explain why.
Guest Post by Alfred Stallion
South Africa could probably be one of the best destinations for holidaymakers all year round. In Mzansi, the people are beautiful, the food, the landscapes, wildlife and even the weather.
If you are an avid traveler and don’t have South Africa in your bucket list, then you need to reorganize the whole thing. Better yet, put South Africa at the top of the priority list during winter.
In South Africa, winter is a bit different as the temperatures don’t go as low as other parts of the world during the season. Once you get to South Africa, you won’t be worried about bringing your electric blanket or preparing for a bigger budget for the electricity bills due to consumption on the AC. During winter, temperatures average 17°C in South Africa making it a winter heaven as compared to other parts of the world. So, if you are in South Africa looking for places and activities to spend the holiday, here are 10 that you might want to consider.
10. A winter safari
Africa is all about safaris and in South Africa, winter is the best season for an unforgettable safari. During winter, in areas such as Kwa Zulu Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga, there’s sparse vegetation and dryland creating the best chances of viewing the big five.
Due to the sparse vegetation, you can easily spot wildlife from a long-distance even from your hotel room window. Furthermore, the dry season brings all the animals around water sources meaning you would not have to go looking for them in thickets. What’s more, it’s low season meaning better hotel and tour deals. You can supplement the game viewing adventures with wild campfires in the evenings.
9. The winter festivals
There are a plethora of winter festivals in South Africa that you can enjoy no matter your interests.
If you’re into arts, the National Arts Festival offers over 700 performances. The Klein Karoo national arts festival offers 100+ shows and feasts for a whole week in April.
For the food enthusiasts, the Knysna Oyster is the real deal.
Even if you’re not into arts or exotic foods, you can find a reason to enjoy your favorite wines at the Robertson Wacky wine weekend which takes place in the first week of June. You can enjoy the cellar tours, pairings, and tastings from over 40 established wineries.
8. The Sardine run
One of the most significant phenomena in the world that happens between June and July in South Africa is the Sardine run. You get to enjoy the greatest migration of sardines in the world in their quest for colder waters on the continental shelf. Depending on your budget, you can view them under the water, from above in the air or just by the beachside.
7. A Durban tour
Durban is one of the areas where thousands of holidaymakers spend their summer due to the beautiful beaches and warm weather. Lucky for you, the weather is still beautiful during winter, and the people are few during the low season. In this regard, you get to enjoy the great weather coupled up with the numerous breathtaking sceneries.
Some of the areas that you should visit when you are there include the Fitzsimons snake park and the Valley of 1000 Hills.
You could also consider a city tour and enjoy the beautiful scenery and excellent culture. Luckily, car rental services are affordable during the low season, and if you’re lucky, you can find someone who can give you a more localized tour.
6. Go surfing at the Jeffrey’s Bay
If you’re into surfing, then Jeffrey’s Bay is the place that you want to be during winter. Although a well-known destination for surfing enthusiasts, during the winter things get a bit different and exciting. Numerous surfing experts are willing to offer surfing gear, lessons, and shows for everybody.
During the winter season, you can as well engage in other activities such as trail runs, mountain bike racing, surfing competitions, and the infamous kite festival. The best time to be here is between 12th and 23rd July when the JBay Winterfest happens.
5. Play with snow
Although not the best place for white winters, South Africa definitely offers excellent views of snow in some areas. Some of the towns in Eastern Cape are high enough to for snow views. Nevertheless, you can still rely on Tiffendel which is South Africa’s only skiing destination.
4. Visit the Kirstenbosch botanical garden
You can put some color into your holiday by enjoying magical views of some of the best flowers in the world such as sugarbushes, proteas, cone bushes, and fynbos. Most of these plants flower during winter and therefore offer an excellent view for nature lovers.
3. Take a tour to Johannesburg
In Johannesburg, the weather is beautiful during winter, and most of the attractions are indoors meaning you won’t need to worry about being outdoors during a tour. Nevertheless, the weather is just fine with minimal rainfall which is a plus for outdoor activities. Some of the areas that you need to visit include the world heritage site also known as the cradle of humankind, Sterkfontein caves, and the Apartheid Museum.
2. Whale watching
Look for cheap domestic flights to South Africa this winter to catch the whale watching season, which begins at around June and ends with a bang in September at the Hermanus Whale Festival. Gansbaai, Hermanus, and False Bay in Western Cape are some of the best whale watching destinations.
1. Enjoy the Stellenbosch mountains and wine lands
In Mzansi, wine is a good thing that you should enjoy while enjoying the beautiful landscape in the Stellenbosch region. There are many vineyards to visit.
Furthermore, most of the wineries here offer cozy places to enjoy your evening as you gaze to the dramatic clouds that form during winter. Moreover, a good number of the wineries provide great fireplaces for evening talks as to sample some of the best wine that Mzansi has to offer.
To summarize, don't postpone your South African holiday just because you think it will be cold during their winter. It's a great time to go and many things to do and see.
