Visiting South Africa in October

October is the last of the dry months in the north, with rain starting to sweep in towards the end of October, but with plenty of warm spring sunshine before the wetter weather arrives. Flowers are still blooming, with blankets of wildflowers across the country, as well as in the botanical gardens and Namaqualand, where the carpet of flowers lasts until early October. There are also plenty of chances to go fruit-picking too and it’s increasingly tempting to get outdoors.

Wildlife

If you’re hoping to go on safari in South Africa, you can spot baby animals at Kruger National Park this month but the wet season is also beginning so expect daily rainstorms, usually in the late afternoon and evening, and humid conditions during the day. It’s still possible to head out early and see the wildlife, but you may have more disrupted days, with more lush vegetation hiding the animals later in the month. Another option is to head to the Eastern Cape to Addo Elephant Park or the private game reserve near Port Elizabeth where it’s not as hot, although conditions are getting rainier here as well.

The Garden Route

It’s a great month to drive the Garden Route, before the crowds of the busier summer months arrive, but with only a few spring showers to dodge. You can spot whales off the coast this month too, especially around Hermanus, Plettenberg Bay and De Hoop Reserve, with Southern Right Whales coming close to shore to calve – one of the last months before they begin their migration back to Antarctica once more. Dodge the showers and you can fly through the treetops at Tsitsikamma National Park or relax on the white sand beaches around Knysna after some sea kayaking too.

As the north gets wetter, Cape Town begins to get warmer and drier, and this is a fantastic month to explore the city with temperatures heading towards the mid-20s. Flowers are blooming on the slopes of Table Mountain, where it’s pleasant enough to hike up as an alternative to taking the cable car. The weather in the Winelands is similarly tempting, a perfect time for a bike ride through the vineyards around Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.

It’s warmer around Durban and across Kwa-Zulu Natal, but not yet too humid if you’re planning to explore. There’s more rain here, but still plenty of sunny days to hit the beach. And it’s sunny in the Drakensberg Mountains as well, without being too hot or wet if you’re tackling the trails through the peaks.

Festivals: The International Kite Festival in Cape Town takes place in the Zandvlei Nature Reserve on the last weekend in October, with hundreds of kites flying over Muizenberg as part of Africa’s biggest kite festival. Raising awareness and money for mental health, there are also kite-making workshops, displays, music and lots of food.

Best for: Whale-watching, exploring the whole country, safari, hiking in the Drakensberg, Garden Route, beaches in Durban