Philip lives in South Africa and has authored many guidebooks to African destinations, including ‘The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa’.
South Africa is one of Africa’s great wildlife destinations. Vast Kruger National Park has an abundance of animals and is one of the continent's iconic attractions. For outdoor adventure, the Blyde River Canyon is the third largest on the planet, and jagged peaks of the Drakensberg mountains punch into the sky. Cape Town hums with an urban beat, and is fringed by white sandy beaches.
Pros & Cons
Wildlife
All the Big Five, as well as other large animals such as the giraffe, hippo and many antelope species, are easily spotted in South Africa’s extensive network of parks. This list includes the white rhino, although its black relative is much harder to track down. A common sight in the west of the country is the Cape mountain zebra, while the leopard is particularly conspicuous in Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
Weather & Climate
The South African winter runs from May to September and summer from October to April. In Kruger and surrounds, winter is mostly sunny with temperatures around 27°C/81°F, but early mornings are cold. In this region most of the annual rainfall comes in afternoon showers during the hot summer months. On the other hand, Cape Town and surrounds sees winter rainfall. Summer is more pleasant in the Cape when temperatures are around 24°C/75°F and rain is scarce.
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Kruger and surrounds is May to September. This is the Dry season in the region and at this time animals are easier to spot as they stay near waterholes and rivers. Days are mostly sunny but nights are chilly. Cape Town and around is best visited from November to March as this is the Dry season here. The warm dry months are perfect to enjoy the city, the beaches and other coastal attractions.
