Visiting South Africa in December

Peak season starts this month, with the country’s main tourist spots getting busier and booked up well in advance – this is not when to go to South Africa if you’re hoping to avoid the crowds. The start of the month is quieter before school holidays begin and before the festive season gets underway, with the Cape topping the list of best places for a holiday in South Africa in December.

Further north, it’s rainy in Kwa-Zulu Natal and Durban, as well as Kruger National Park and around Johannesburg, so it’s not the best time for a safari or time by the Indian Ocean beaches. The Drakensberg mountains are also too wet and hot for good trekking this month.

The main whale-watching season is also over, although you might spot a few humpback whales along the coast from Hermanus, and you’ll see plenty of seals at Plettenberg Bay if you’re driving along the Garden Route. There’s great bird-watching at De Hoop Reserve too, and the eastern Cape isn’t as wet as the reserves further north if you’re hoping to combine sun and safari. Head to Addo Elephant Park or stay at a private game reserve near Port Elizabeth, although the lush vegetation can make it harder to spot the wildlife. If you’re happy to risk the rainy days, you could also discover the temperate rainforest at Tsitsikamma National Park, while there are beaches galore to relax on along the coast – many will be busy this month, but the white sand beaches around Knysna are well worth sharing.

Save time for Cape Town this month too, where temperatures are spiking up to around 27C this month. While it’s one of the busiest times to visit, there’s an added buzz to the colourful city in December. If you’re planning to climb Table Mountain, set out early to avoid the heat and the crowds, while it will also be hotter and busy in the Winelands – if you’re thinking of taking a bike ride through the vineyards, it’s best to avoid the middle of the day, and relax somewhere shady with a glass of wine instead.

Festivals: December 25 and 26 are both public holidays with shops closing for Christmas, and a mix of northern hemisphere traditions, such as flaming plum pudding, with a South African twist, such as a braai, or barbecue, for Christmas dinner.

Some will also close early on December 31, with fireworks to usher in the New Year. Cape Town has some of the most spectacular, lighting up the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront at midnight.

Best for: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route