South Africa

Climate & Weather in South Africa

  • Diverse Climates: Ranges from Mediterranean in the Western Cape (winter rainfall) to subtropical on the eastern coast (summer rainfall). The interior Highveld (e.g., Johannesburg) has mild winters and warm summers, while the northwest is semi-arid. 28.

  • Seasonal Breakdown:

    • Summer (Oct–Apr): Hot with afternoon thunderstorms (Kruger: 32°C/90°F; Cape Town: 26°C/79°F). Humid in coastal areas like Durban 810.

    • Winter (May–Sep): Dry and sunny inland (Kruger: 10°C/50°F mornings, 26°C/79°F afternoons). Cape Town sees rain and temps of 8–18°C (46–64°F)⁸⁰.

  • Best Time to Visit:

    • Safaris: May–Sep (dry season for wildlife viewing).

    • Cape Town: Oct–Apr (sunny beach weather) 610. 

2. Currency & Money Tips

  • Currency: South African Rand (ZAR), subdivided into 100 cents. Symbol: R 

  • Banknotes: R10, R20, R50, R100, R200; coins: 10c–R5

  • Budget Tips:

    • Accommodation: Hostels from 5/night; mid-range hotels 5/night; mid-range hotels 50–100 

    • Food: Street food (e.g., bunny chow) under 5; restaurant meals 5; restaurant meals 10–20 

    • Transport: Domestic flights (e.g., Johannesburg–Cape Town) from $73; trains/buses cheaper but slower

3. Flights & Transportation

 

  • Major Airports:

    • Johannesburg (JNB): Hub for international flights (e.g., Atlanta–JNB from $1,359 round-trip) 

    • Cape Town (CPT): Cheapest to fly into ($1,304 avg) 

  • Domestic Travel:

    • FlySafair/Kulula: Budget airlines for intercity routes.

    • Garden Route: Self-drive recommended (scenic Route 62)

4. Top Destinations & Activities

  • Cape Town: Table Mountain, Robben Island, Winelands (Franschhoek).

  • Kruger National Park: Big Five safaris; best in dry season.

  • Garden Route: Coastal drives, Knysna Lagoon, Tsitsikamma forests .

  • Durban: Golden beaches, Zulu culture, and spicy Indian cuisine

5. Budget Travel Tips

  • Daily Budget:

    • Backpacker: $30–50 (hostels, self-catering).

    • Mid-range: $80–150 (lodges, guided tours) .

  • Savings Hacks:

    • Use Rental Cars (from $20/day) for national parks .

    • Book safari lodges in Eastern Cape (malaria-free, cheaper than Kruger)

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