South Africa Weather in April 2024: Travel Tips for First-Timers

April is the start of South Africa's autumn, with warm weather and barely any rain in the south, and light/moderate rain around Johannesburg. We would recommend visiting Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, and Stellenbosch for the South African Cheese Festival.

Read on to find out more about travel and weather, including temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and tips for April.

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South Africa Weather in April: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: 12–25°C (54–77°F)
• Rainfall: 5 cm (2 inches)
• Rainy days: 8
• Sunshine hours/day: 8
• Sea temperature: 18°C (65°F)
• Humidity: 65–78% (muggy throughout the country to more humid in the south)

April is in autumn in South Africa, with temperatures starting cooling down, sunshine hours being down (but still standing at an amazing 8 hours per day on average throughout the month of April), and places that are very hot in the summer (Kruger, Kalahari) getting more moderately warm.

There is a some rain in April, around the same as in March, mostly concentrated around the Drakensberg Mountains. The rain throughout the rest of the country is barely noticeable, making April a great time of the year to visit.

Humidity levels are a little muggy throughout the country, with Cape Town seeing the highest humidity in April at around 78%.

April Climate Comparison (Averages) for South Africa's Top Tourism Areas

The Best Places to Visit in South Africa in April

April is autumn in South Africa, with temperatures cooling down across some of the best spots to visit, making it a great time of the year to go. Most places in South Africa also see very little rainfall in April.

For adventurers looking to explore South Africa in April we would recommend visiting Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, and Stellenbosch for wine tasting and the South African Cheese Festival which is held there every year in April.

For more information about what to see and do in each of these places in April, keep on reading.

1. Climb Cape Town's Table Mountain

One of Cape Town's top sights is undoubtedly its Table Mountain, which is not the easiest climb but it is worth it. There are numerous routes to take you to the top, ranging in difficulty and degree of steep inclines. In general, the shorter the route the steeper the inclines you can expect, as all routes lead to the same top.

It is best to take a guide with you if you are planning on taking some of the more complex routes on, such as India Venster. Global Highlights can help you arrange this. Alternatively, an easier route is Platteklip Gorge. Do bear in mind that you need a base level of fitness for all of these hikes, and we recommend bringing your own equipment if you are thinking about taking a route that requires more clambering.

We would also recommend seeing the Cape of Good Hope, Robben Island, and the Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum. There are also some incredible restaurants and bars to keep you busy in the evenings.

2. See the Big Five in Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is one of the most incredible sights in South Africa, and we don't recommend skipping it in April. There you'll be able to see the big five, go on game drives, and also take a walking safari if you prefer to go on foot through some of the areas appropriate for this.

There are reserves and lodges for a range of different budgets and durations, meaning you can tailor your visit to your wishes.

3. Visit Stellenbosch's South African Cheese Festival

Stellenbosch is one of the most beautiful wine regions in the world, and in April there are also pop-up events from the South African Cheese Festival for this magical combination. Dates are to be determined, but these usually are held in April.

Nearby there is also Franschhoek, also known for its great vineyards. April's wonderful weather means it is the perfect time of the year to venture out into South Africa's hills for wine tasting and excellent meals.

You can even rent e-bikes to get around and enjoy the scenery, or go for a romantic horse ride in these stunning surroundings.

4. Learn about South Africa's History in Johannesburg

Johannesburg has a lot to offer in terms of museums, including the South African National Museum of Military History, to the Apartheid Museum, the Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct, the Lindfield Victorian House Museum, the Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial, and even Nelson Mandela House.

These eye-opening experiences, including a tour around Soweto township, the center of political campaigns that aimed to overthrow apartheid, will give you an insight into South Africa's past and an understanding of the country today.

We recommend getting a tour guide to help you navigate through and understand these important historical sites during your time in Johannesburg.

High Season: More Crowding and Higher Costs

April falls at the end of South Africa's high season, meaning that there are still crowds at the big tourist destinations and that accommodation and travel prices are higher. Therefore, we would recommend booking your trip as far in advance as possible.

April 1, 2024 is Family Day nationally, which is a public holiday to celebrate the importance of family and family life. This celebration is on Easter Monday every year. You can expect some smaller businesses to close, although tourist attractions generally stay open.

What to Wear in April

Regardless of the fact that April is in autumn in South Africa, the temperatures are still relatively warm, meaning you can pack summer clothing for your trip to South Africa. We do recommend bringing an additional layer for those visiting Cape Town and Johannesburg, just for the evenings or early mornings, as well as for early morning game drives on safari.

For those looking to climb Table Mountain or go on any other hikes we do recommend bringing hiking gear including proper hiking shoes, a backpack, and scrambling gear if you are planning on taking a route that requires more climbing.

There will be a lot of sun still, so we would recommend bringing sunscreen, a hat, as well as sunglasses. If you are planning on visiting the Drakensberg Mountains, we also recommend bringing waterproofs as you may experience a shower or two in April.

Monthly Weather in South Africa

Contact Global Highlights to Plan Your South Africa Tour

It can be overwhelming to plan your first trip to South Africa, because there is so much to do. If you need a little help planning your trip, Global Highlights can help you plan where to go, how long to stay in each place, as well as your activities, transport, and accommodation for your time in South Africa.

For those who haven't yet decided on when to visit South Africa, we also recommend reading: Best and Worst Times to Visit South Africa.

If you are ready to start planning, let us know what your requirements and needs are, and we can put together a bespoke itinerary for you. Contact us to begin a tour inquiry.