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

November marks summer in South Africa, with warm to hot weather and little rain in Johannesburg and Kruger National Park. In November we recommend visiting Cape Town, Stellenbosch, and Kruger National Park. Read more to find out more about travel and weather, including average temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and travel tips for November.

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• 1. Weather Overview
• 2. Best Places to Visit
• 3. Crowds and Costs
• 4. What to Wear

South Africa Weather in November: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: 14–27°C (58–81°F)
• Rainfall: 6 cm (2 inches)
• Rainy days: 10
• Sunshine hours/day: 9
• Sea temperature: 20°C (68°F)
• Humidity: 65–71% (muggy throughout the country)

November is a warm summer's month in South Africa, and the temperatures are higher throughout the country to reflect this. Depending on where in the country you go, you can expect warm to hot weather, up to 34°C (93°F) on average in Kalahari.

For visitors to Kruger, Johannesburg, and the Drakensberg Mountains, you can expect low/moderate rainfall at some point during your visit in November, but Cape Town and Kalahari are mostly dry.

No matter where you go, however, the days are long and you will see some sunshine too, with an average of 9 hours of sunshine per day making it a great time of the year to visit.

Weather of South Africa's Major Cities in November

The Best Places to Visit in South Africa in November

November is summer in South Africa, and a great time of the year to visit many of the top tourist destinations. The days are long, meaning there is a lot of light for your sightseeing days!

Firstly, we recommend Kruger National Park, which is a must-see regardless of the little bit of rain that falls in November. You will be able to see the big five there, and enjoy some of South Africa's most amazing flora and fauna.

November is also a great time of year to visit the wineries around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, where you can go on some beautiful wine tasting tours, and to climb to the top of Table Mountain.

1. Spot Animals in Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is a must-visit for anybody coming to South Africa, especially if it is your first time there. There are lots of incredible animals and beautiful foliage to see in November, for more information, check out this piece about the weather in September.

November is an especially great time of year as the park is full of newborn animals, and because November also has beautiful morning skies.

2. Go on a Wine Tour through Stellenbosch

The areas surrounding Cape Town, particularly Stellenbosch, but also Paarl, Robertson, and Franschhoek, are some of the better-known wine-producing regions in the world. Between the beautiful hills and the lush green vineyards, you could go from winery to winery tasting their best bottles for multiple days.

Beyond the wines and the scenery, there are also incredible restaurants at which to have lunch or dinner, and some tourist sights en-route for those who want to drive around the area themselves and explore.

It is possible to pick up plenty of souvenirs to ship home or to take back in your luggage, depending on how many bottles you pick up.

3. Climb Table Mountain After a Visit to Cape Town

Near Cape Town, Table Mountain is one of South Africa's top sights with the best views of the city and nearby landscape. November's warm sunny days are perfect for exploring the area and climbing up to the top. There are a number of official routes you can take to climb up the mountain, all of which are a little challenging but not too technical.

The easiest to navigate is the Platteklip Gorge, but you do still need to be moderately fit to climb up to the top. The shorter the hike, the less gradual the climb, so we recommend taking a longer route if you're not confident about hiking up too quickly and would rather take your time to gradually ascend.

For the more advanced hiker, we recommend India Venster, which is more difficult. Do stay cautious on this route, as less experienced hikers have had to be rescued from there before. We recommend taking a guide along for this route to ensure you get to the top and back okay, but the route is worth the challenge.

4. Watch the Whales in Hermanus

November is the last month of the year to visit the whales at Hermanus, before they move on from South Africa. You will be able to see the southern right whales and their calves, which average 15 meters (50 feet) in length and weigh around 60 tons.

If you are lucky, you also see humpback whales and Bryde's whales. This is a real highlight along the Coastal Route, a beautiful road along the seaside, and a whale watching boat tour is definitely worth a stop on your way.

Start of High Season: A Little Crowding and Higher Costs

South Africa's high season starts in November, which is when the crowds start to fill out a little more and the costs for accommodation and flights start to increase, particularly when compared to September and October. If you want to avoid this, we recommend traveling in early November instead of later in the month.

November is also when Ficksburg Cherry Festival is held, the oldest crop festival in South Africa. Ficksburg is near Bloemfontein, on the border of Lesotho. The festival takes place in the third week in November, and includes cherry tours, a half marathon, cherry product competitions, equestrian events, and beer fest set to the backdrop of live music.

For more information about when is the best time of the year to plan your trip to South Africa: Best and Worst Times to Visit South Africa in 2024/2025.

What to Wear in November

South Africa's weather in November is warm to hot in most places, meaning that it is best to pack lots of summer clothing. We recommend bringing clothing in light colors and in natural fabrics to ensure you don't feel the heat too much. Dresses, skirts, shorts, and linen shirts are worth packing to bring with you.

If you are planning on taking on one of the more difficult hikes in South Africa, particularly at Table Mountain, we do recommend bringing proper hiking gear. Proper hiking boots and other hiking equipment are worth packing depending on the difficulty of the hike that you are taking on.

For visitors planning on going out for early morning or evening safari game drives, we recommend bringing an additional layer as you may feel a little cool then.

Finally, we recommend bringing sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and mosquito spray to make sure you're comfortable out and about in the South African summer.

Monthly Weather in South Africa

Contact Global Highlights to Plan Your South Africa Tour

If you need some help, guidance, or inspiration to put together your ideal South Africa trip, Global Highlights can help you with putting together your itinerary, booking your transport for you, or arranging tour guides for your travels or hikes.

Do let us know what you'd like to visit while you are in South Africa, how long you're planning on staying, and whether you have any requirements or other needs, and our team can put together a bespoke itinerary just for you. Contact us to begin a tour inquiry.