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

July is winter in South Africa, but weather throughout the country is still cool to warm and mostly dry. We recommend visiting Kruger and the Kalahari in July, which are very hot in the South African summer, as well as Johannesburg.

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

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South Africa Weather in July: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: 4–20°C (40–68°F)
• Rainfall: 2 cm (1 inches)
• Rainy days: 5
• Sunshine hours/day: 8
• Sea temperature: 12°C (54°F)
• Humidity: 49–81% (comfortable throughout most of the country, but humid and damp around Cape Town)

South Africa in July is mostly dry and cool to warm, with the exception of the southwest cape (the Cape Town coast), which is very humid and wet. With it being the winter, some places see a big drop in temperature in the evenings into the early mornings, but in general you'll find that daytime temperatures are pleasant throughout.

There are approximately 6–9 hours of sunshine per day depending on where in South Africa you are, and with the exception of Cape Town, most cities see only 1–2 rainy days in the month of July with very little rainfall.

Weather of South Africa's Major Cities in July

The Best Places to Visit in South Africa in July

Regardless of July being winter in South Africa, it is still a great time of the year to visit, as much of the country is still mild to warm throughout the daytime. In fact, the lower temperatures probably lend themselves well to more exploring.

In July, we would recommend visiting Kruger National Park, the area around Cape Town for whale watching, the Kalahari, and the Drakensberg Mountains. These areas are mostly dry throughout the month of July, and have plenty of activities and sights to keep you in awe of this beautiful country.

1. See the Big Five at Kruger National Park

July is the dry season around Kruger National Park, making it a great time to go for either a driving safari or a walking safari. With less vegetation throughout the park during this time too, it is easier to spot the animals.

In Kruger National Park you'll be able to see the big five: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalos, as well as plenty of other species such as the famous steenbok, cheetahs, and crocodiles. Head over to the Sabie River to watch predators in action at this time of the year.

If it is your first time planning a visit to South Africa, and you are feeling overwhelmed with the options, check out our page on planning a trip to South Africa.

2. Experience Desert Life with a Safari in the Kalahari

The Kalahari Desert spreads through Botswana, Namibia, and into South Africa's north, with red sand covering a vast area that has no permanent surface water. The climate there is sub-humid rather than semi-arid, meaning that there is still vegetation and even a special type of fruit, kiwano fruit, which grows there exclusively.

The views there are breathtaking and you really do have to see it in order to believe it. We recommend visiting in July when the temperatures are lower than at other times of the year. It is possible to take a hiking tour or go on a desert safari to see the black-maned lions and the elephants.

For those who are up for even more adventure, you can also mountain bike there, or spend the night at a campsite or lodge in the desert.

3. Hike around the Drakensberg Mountains

While morning and evening temperatures can be quite low in the Drakensberg Mountains in July, this dry time of year is a great time to visit the peaks for great visibility. The area has no shortage of hiking trails, whether you want to walk the Sani Pass, the Maloti-Drakensberg Park, or take the Drakensberg Canopy Tour to see the views from above.

And for those wanting to take a break from the hikes, there is the Drakensberg Brewery, and there are opportunities for horse riding as well as a hot air balloon ride.

4. Go Whale Watching in Hermanus and Plettenberg Bay

Found near Cape Town, you are recommended to go whale watching in the bays near Cape Town regardless of the fact that the city can be a little rainy. July through to November is whale watching season, when you'll see the whales after they've migrated from Antarctica.

The best places to see them are Hermanus and Plettenberg Bay along the southwest coast of South Africa. Bring an umbrella or a raincoat just in case, but don't let the weather scare you off this amazing experience.

Low Season: Less Crowding and Lower Costs

July marks the low season in South Africa, given it is more popular during the summer months of November to March. This means that July is in theory a great time of year to visit, with travel and accommodation costs lower and fewer crowds at the big tourist destinations.

July is also when the National Arts Festival is held in Grahamstown (June 20 through to June 30 in 2024, with 2025 dates to be confirmed), which is home to lots of international and South African artist performances ranging from theater to music and mixed media exhibitions. If you are interested in the arts, particularly South African arts, this is worth looking into.

For more information on when is best to travel, see Best and Worst Times to Visit South Africa in 2024 and 2025.

What to Wear in July

For those looking to visit South Africa in July, we recommend bringing plenty of layers with you. Mornings can be chilly in comparison to the daytime, and depending on where in South Africa you are planning to visit you might want to put on a hoodie or a light jacket.

If you are visiting Cape Town, we recommend bringing a rain coat or an umbrella just in case, and if you are hoping to go out on early game drives (when most of the animals are out, at sunrise), you'll likely want to wrap up to.

For the more active travelers looking to head to Drakensberg for hiking, we recommend bringing all of your hiking gear with you. You will want to bring supportive footwear, a good backpack, snacks, and a warm jacket. It's also worth bringing a first-aid kit, just in case.

Monthly Weather in South Africa

Contact Global Highlights to Plan Your South Africa Tour

With there being so many places to go in South Africa, planning your itinerary can be a little overwhelming. Global Highlights can take the stress out of planning for you, and our experts can put together your ideal South Africa itinerary. Just let us know when you'd like to visit, what you'd like to see, and how long you are planning on visiting South Africa for, and we can put together a bespoke itinerary. Contact us to begin a tour inquiry.