August is winter in South Africa, but there is still plenty to do, and the weather is often still on the warm side during the day. In August, we recommend visiting the Kalahari, Kruger National Park, and the Cape, as it is also the best month of the year to go whale watching.
Read on to find out more about travel and weather, including average temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and travel tips for August.
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South Africa Weather in August: Overview
Averages:
- Temperature range: 7–21°C (45–71°F)
- Rainfall: 3 cm (1 inch)
- Rainy days: 6
- Sunshine hours/day: 8
- Sea temperature: 13°C (56°F)
- Humidity: 46–80% (comfortable throughout the country, but humid and damp around Cape Town)
August in South Africa is mostly cool to warm, depending on the time of the day. The temperatures vary quite a lot between the mornings and the evenings, which is important to bear in mind during your travels.
The country is also mostly dry, with very little rainfall. The main exception to this is Cape Town and the vicinity, which sees more rain than most other South African cities in August, but not enough to put off a visit.
The days in August see approximately 6–9 hours of sunshine per day depending on the city, and humidity levels are low (with the exception of Cape Town, which is much more humid). The sea temperature is still a little chilly for a beach holiday in August.
Weather of South Africa's Major Cities in August
| South Africa City | Temperature | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Town (beaches, wineries, whale watching) | Mild | Damp |
| Johannesburg (largest city, travel hub) | Mild | Dry |
| Kruger National Park (top safari area) | Mild to Warm | Dry |
| Kalahari (northern desert trips) | Mild to Warm | Dry |
| Drakensberg Mountains (hiking, near Battlefields) | Cool to Mild | Dry |
| South Africa City | Daily High Temp. | Daily Low Temp. |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Town (beaches, wineries, whale watching) | 18ºC (64ºF) | 8ºC (46ºF) |
| Johannesburg (largest city, travel hub) | 19ºC (66ºF) | 9ºC (48ºF) |
| Kruger National Park (top safari area) | 27ºC (81ºF) | 9ºC (48ºF) |
| Kalahari (northern desert trips) | 26ºC (79ºF) | 7ºC (45ºF) |
| Drakensberg Mountains (hiking, near Battlefields) | 17ºC (63ºF) | 3ºC (37ºF) |
| South Africa City | Rain (cm) | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Town (beaches, wineries, whale watching) | 8 | 3 |
| Johannesburg (largest city, travel hub) | 1 | 0 |
| Kruger National Park (top safari area) | 1 | 0 |
| Kalahari (northern desert trips) | 0 | 0 |
| Drakensberg Mountains (hiking, near Battlefields) | 2 | 1 |
The Best Places to Visit in South Africa in August
August is a great time of the year to visit South Africa, with the weather not being too hot during the day, and there being fewer crowds than during South Africa's more popular summer.
In August, we recommend visiting a place you've likely already heard of: Kruger National Park, where you can see the big five on your safari, as well as Cape Town for whale watching, the Kalahari Desert, and the Drakensberg Mountains.
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1. Delve into the Animal Kingdom at Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is home to a huge number of the most incredible animals, and anyone visiting South Africa in August should seriously consider heading over to this national park. Lower rainfall means there is less vegetation at this time of the year, making it easier to spot and track animals.
Animals you can see in Kruger National Park include the big five: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalos. We recommend heading out on safari in the mornings when there is most activity in the park.
2. Watch Whales in Hermanus and Plettenberg Bay
August is the best month of the year to watch whales in Hermanus and Plettenberg Bay, which are not too far from Cape Town. There you'll see the whales after they've migrated from Antarctica, as they prepare to have calves around South African shores. There are opportunities to see southern right whales, but also humpback whales and Bryde's whales if you are lucky.
Due to occasional rainfall in the area, we recommend bringing a raincoat or an umbrella, but the rain isn't enough to put people off visiting to see these majestic animals on their travels around the world!
3. Visit Historic Battlefields around the Drakensberg Mountains
The area around the Drakensberg Mountains has many historic battlefields that are a must-see for any military history buff. You'll be able to visit the battlefields of the Voortrekker/Zulu conflict of 1838, as well as that of the Anglo-Boer War of 1899–1902. There are museums (such as the MOTH Blockhouse Museum, the Mount Alice Monument, and the Kaalvoetvrou Monument) as well as historic relics to visit, which give explanations of the historic events that took place in these battlefields.
For the more active traveler, Drakensberg is also home to plenty of hiking trails that are worth visiting for the views and natural landscapes, such as Sani Pass or Maloti-Drakensberg Park. Avid hikers could spend multiple days in the area and not run out of paths to explore.
4. Go on a Desert Safari in the Kalahari Desert
The Kalahari Desert, which spreads from Botswana and Namibia into South Africa's north is an interesting sight to see. It is not a typical dry desert, meaning there are also flora and fauna to see, making it worth spending a day or two on a desert safari or partaking in one of the many activities around the desert. The red earth also makes for a unique natural sight.
Lodges provide opportunities to camp or stay in the desert overnight for stargazing, as you'll likely not have seen such a clear sky, given there is almost zero light pollution there.
Low Season: Less Crowding and Lower Costs
With August being outside of the main tourist peak season (this is November through to March), you will likely find that prices for accommodation, tours, and travel to South Africa are lower. This means August is a great time to visit, with fewer crowds at the bigger tourist destinations and the parks.
August 9 sees National Women's Day being celebrated throughout the country annually. It is a public holiday, to pay tribute to the women who fought for rights in a system that traditionally did not value women. Bigger sights and destinations will remain open on this day for visitors.
To find out more about when is the best time of the year to travel to South Africa in 2025, see Best and Worst Times to Visit South Africa in 2025.
What to Wear in August
Due to the weather in August being a rather wide range, we recommend bringing plenty of layers if you are planning to visit South Africa in August. You might want to have an extra sweater or a light coat for the early mornings and later evenings, but in the daytime it might be necessary to take it off. This is especially the case if you are planning to visit Drakensberg, where the temperature drops a lot in the evenings.
For those planning to visit Cape Town or going whale watching in the bays around Cape Town, we recommend bringing your rain coat as well as your umbrella.
For those who are planning to hike, bringing your hiking gear is important too, from hiking boots to backpacks and snacks, as well as a warm jacket to fend off the lower temperatures higher up in the mountains.
Monthly Weather in South Africa
Contact Global Highlights to Plan Your South Africa Tour
South Africa has so many incredible sights to see that it can be a little difficult to decide on where to go, and which order to visit in. Global Highlights can help you put together your ideal South Africa itinerary in August, bearing in mind your preferences, requirements, and group needs. Contact us to begin a tour inquiry.
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