Visiting South Africa in August

Spring is finally arriving in South Africa, with flowers blooming across the Cape, where the months of cool wet weather have resulted in colourful blooms in the west and north in particular. Namaqualand in the Northern Cape is famous for its spring flowers, usually flowering from mid-month, although you can also start to see blossom on the trees in the Winelands. If the sun is shining, why not cycle through the vineyards for some tastings around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, and to see the trees in their glory? Cape Town itself is still cool and wet, but there’s another fabulous floral display at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden too. It’s worth knowing that the cable car for Table Mountain usually closes at some point during August for maintenance – anything from a week to the entire month – if you’re planning to brave the colder weather at the peak.

The Garden Route

Venture further along the Garden Route and it’s still a fantastic time for whale-watching, with Southern Right Whales migrating from Antarctica to mate and calve in the warmer waters around South Africa. In Hermanus and Plettenberg Bay, they’ll often come close to shore to give birth, while you can also see them from De Hoop Reserve and on whale-watching boat tours, along with seals and dolphins.

Wildlife

There’s more wildlife on dry land too, including Addo Elephant Park and safaris on the Eastern Cape, including a private game reserve near Port Elizabeth. For drier weather, head further north through to Kruger National Park and the nearby private reserves, with warm days (though cool nights), few mosquitos and plenty of animals to spot around water holes – the southern part of Kruger National Park is best at this time of year.

For sunshine, head to KwaZulu-Natal. Durban is having one of its coolest months in August, but you can still expect temperatures to hit 24-25C during the day, so it’s warm enough to hit the beaches and go surfing, as well as sightseeing and exploring the wider area.

Best for: Safaris in Kruger National Park, spring flowers, whale-watching, surfing in Durban