Visiting South Africa in June

It’s midwinter in South Africa in June, so while it’s rarely as cold as much of the northern hemisphere during its winter, you can expect much cooler days, with chilly mornings and evenings, and even snow in the mountains and peaks. Wrap up warm for those sunrise game drives and sundowners, although it’s still a fantastic month for spotting South Africa’s wildlife; the drier weather means you’ll see more of the Big Five clustered around water holes, while there’s also less vegetation so you’ll spy animals more easily there too.

Take a drive from Johannesburg to Kruger National Park and you can stop at Hoedspruit Private Game Reserve as well, for even more animal-spotting. Neighbouring reserves such as Sabi Sands are also a great option, along with Addo Elephant Park further south, and some of the reserves on the eastern Cape, with the chance to visit a private game reserve near Port Elizabeth too. Elsewhere along the Garden Route, whale-watching season is well underway. Southern Right whales are arriving at Hermanus to calve, while you can also spot them at De Hoop Reserve along with humpback whales around Plettenberg Bay, and more species along the coast.

Back at Cape Town, it’s the rainiest month of the year, with some distinctly cool days, so if you’re planning to hit the beaches, climb Table Mountain or head out to Robben Island, it’s not the best weather to enjoy the area. The same goes for the Winelands, where you might be more likely to sip a glass of red by a log fire than taste one of South Africa’s white wines in the sunshine.

It’s getting positively chilly in the Drakensberg Mountains where you may find snow on the peaks. If you’re prepared for the cold temperatures, the days are dry and clear with some fabulous scenery. Or for warmth and beaches, hit the east coast around Durban where temperatures hover in the mid-20Cs, and there’s surfing to enjoy off the Golden Mile, as well as the history of KwaZulu-Natal to discover nearby.

Best for: Safari, whale-watching, beaches in Durban