South Africa’s subtropical location accounts for the warm temperate conditions typical of South Africa, making it a popular destination for foreign tourists.

The country has abundant sunshine and dry conditions because it falls in the subtropical belt of high pressure. April and May are generally the most pleasant months to travel to South Africa, because the rainy season over the summer-rainfall areas has ended and the rainy season in the winter-rainfall areas has not yet begun. The hot summer weather has abated and the winds are lighter than during the rest of the year.

South Africa is surrounded by the ocean on three sides – the west, south and east. The warm south-flowing Mozambique-Augulhas current and the cold north-flowing Benguela have an important effect on the weather. The contrast in temperature between these two currents partly accounts for important differences in climate and vegetation between the east and west coasts. Durban (east coast) has higher temperatures and rainfall than Port Nolloth (west coast).

South Africa has an average annual rainfall of 464mm, compared to a world average of 860mm. In total 65% of the country has an annual rainfall of less than 500mm – usually regarded as the absolute minimum for successful dry-land farming. The rainfall is unreliable and unpredictable and below average rainfall figures are more commonly recorded than above-average total annual rainfall. The western Cape often receives frontal rain, while the interior receives convectional rain associated with thunderstorms. Orographic/ relief rain occurs on the windward side of the mountains of the Great Escarpment and the Cape folded mountains.

Cape Town (capital of Western Cape) has its highest rainfall in the winter months, while the capital cities of the other provinces have their highest rainfall in summer. When travelling to Cape Town it is advisable to do so during the spring,autumn and summer .

Temperatures in the interior tend to be lower than in other regions at similar latitudes, due to the high altitude above sea level. There is hardly an increase in temperature towards the northeast due to the increase in height of the plateau towards the northeast. Average annual temperatures are remarkably uniform throughout the country. As mentioned above there is a striking contrast in temperatures between the east and west coast. Temperatures above 32°C are fairly common in summer, and frequently exceed 38°C in the lower Orange River valley and the Mpumalanga Lowveld.

Frost often occurs over the interior plateau during cold, cloudless winter nights, while its occurrence decreases towards the north and the coast is virtually frost-free. For more detail on the South Afican climate visit the official web site of the South African Wheather Service which provides specific information on the period during which you plan to travel in south Africa.