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

December falls in South Africa's summer, with higher temperatures throughout the country. We recommend visiting Cape Town, Durban, Knysna, and Johannesburg. Read more to find out more about travel and weather, including average temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and travel tips for December.

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South Africa Weather in December: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: 16–28°C (61–82°F)
• Rainfall: 8 cm (3 inches)
• Rainy days: 10
• Sunshine hours/day: 10
• Sea temperature: 20°C (68°F)
• Humidity: 66–71% (muggy to humid throughout the country)

December is summer in South Africa, with warm to hot weather throughout the country. Kruger National Park and Kalahari particularly are hot, while Johannesburg and Cape Town are warm as well as sunny and bright.

Cape Town and surrounding areas are mostly dry, but you can encounter a few showers in the Drakensberg Mountains, Kruger National Park, or Johannesburg. However, the rain should pass relatively quickly, with daytime sunshine averaging 10 hours per day.

Humidity levels are a little on the high side of comfortable, with some places throughout the country feeling a little bit muggy.

Weather of South Africa's Major Cities in December

The Best Places to Visit in South Africa in December

December is a warm, sunny time of year in South Africa, with long days providing endless opportunities to explore some of the best sights that the country has to offer.

For visitors planning to head over to South Africa in December, we recommend visiting Cape Town and the surrounding attractions including Table Mountain, the beaches of Durban, Knysna, and Johannesburg. While Johannesburg can sees moderate rainfall in December, it's still worth visiting and there are plenty of amazing museums should you need to head inside for a few hours to avoid the rain.

Keep reading to learn more about where we recommend visiting in South Africa in December.

1. See Cape Town, Climb Table Mountain

Cape Town has endless activities and things to see, and you could easily spend days wandering around. For the more active traveler, we recommend getting on a surfboard along Cape Town's coast, followed by a hike up to the top of Table Mountain to enjoy the view.

There are many different routes that vary in difficulty, the steeper the hike, the sooner you will get to the top. You do need a base level of fitness to attempt this hike, and we do not recommend attempting the more difficult routes that require a lot of clambering without a guide.

Other sights not to miss include Robben Island, the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Point Nature Reserve, and a variety of museums including Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum and District Six Museum. Cape Town has something for every kind of traveler.

2. Explore Durban and Lounge on the Beach

Durban is one of South Africa's top beach destinations. Head over to Durban Beach Front, Addington Beach, or Ushaka Beach to soak up those summer rays and enjoy swimming in the ocean. The coastline has approximately 500 kilometers (310 miles) of beaches, so there are plenty of options for each beach preference.

Durban is also a great location to take part in some water activities, the most popular ones in the area include kitesurfing and diving, and there is also a great water park for those traveling with little ones who like to hit up the slides.

3. Take in the Views on Sailboat in Knysna

Knysna, located on South Africa's south coast, is known for its shimmering blue lagoon and delicious oysters. This town is one of the highlights along the Garden Route, a route through the Western Cape between Mossel Bay and Storms River.

Knysna's beautiful waters are best seen from a boat, particularly from a sailboat. There you can see the Knysna Heads, two soaring cliffs separated by the lagoon. Following your sailing adventure, walk along the waterfront to see the shops, and eat some of the freshest seafood.

A cove just outside Knysna, Noetzie, is home to castles and the Sinclair Nature Reserve. This is a great place for a hike into the nature reserve, and we recommend visiting one of the castles too.

4. Wander around Johannesburg's Museums

Johannesburg is South Africa's second-biggest city, providing many insights into life in a South African city. This is where you'll find some of the best restaurants, bars, and clubs in the country.

During the day, or if you have to hide from a quick shower, we recommend visiting Nelson Mandela's House, the Apartheid Museum, the South African National Museum of Military History and the Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct, all of which help you to understand South Africa's past.

Not too far from the city there is also the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to 15 major sites across limestone caves filled with fossils. These fossils are dated at millions of years old, hence the name Cradle of Humankind.

High Season: More Crowding and Higher Costs

December falls in South Africa's high season, and the country is especially busy during the Christmas and New Year's period. We recommend booking ahead if you're planning to visit South Africa during this time of year, as prices of accommodation and flights will increase.

You will also notice more crowds during your visit to South Africa in December, particularly at the top tourist sites and around the Christmas period.

In December, South Africa celebrates the Day of Reconciliation on December 16 every year. This day marks the end of apartheid, and was set up to foster unity and reconciliation across the country. The day is a public holiday throughout the country.

The same goes for Christmas and the Day of Goodwill (celebrated on December 25 and 25 every year), which are also national holidays. You might notice some smaller shops closed, but due to it being the high season many of the tourist attractions are still open.

What to Wear in December

For travelers looking to visit South Africa in December, we recommend lots of natural fabrics and light-colored clothing to keep cool during your travels. Linen trousers, cotton t-shirts, and loose-fitting clothing is best during this time of the year.

If you do want to take on a hike, we recommend bringing your hiking gear or packing your equipment, depending on the difficulty level of your hike.

We do also recommend bringing sunscreen, your sunglasses, a hat to protect your face, and mosquito spray. The days are long and bright, and you'll need to protect yourself if you're going to be outside in the sun for the majority of the daytime.

Monthly Weather in South Africa

Contact Global Highlights to Plan Your South Africa Tour

Global Highlights can help you put together your ideal South Africa itinerary. All you have to do is let us know what you'd like to see, where you want to go, and how long you'd like to go for, and we can help take the stress of planning off your plate and give you our expert recommendations.

Planning a trip abroad can be difficult, but it doesn't have to be, as our team have put together bespoke South Africa tours for a range of different people, whether you're traveling alone, as a couple, or with your family. Contact us to begin a tour inquiry.