South Africa in January

South Africa in January

Johannesburg and the Highveld are hot by day, warm at night, and receive regular rainfall, often in the form of afternoon thunderstorms. Cape Town and the Western Cape are hot and dry, cooling down at night, making it perfect for a beach holiday. The Kruger Park and its surroundings are very hot by day, warm at night, and receive occasional rainfall.

January is all about going to the beach in South Africa | Credit: Buzz South Africa

• January is an ideal time for beach holidays anywhere along the South African coast, though Durban and the KwaZulu-Natal coast to its north can be swelteringly hot.
• Game viewing in Kruger Park and other reserves can be relatively challenging as animals are dispersed away from water sources, and thick vegetation tends to reduce visibility. This is arguably compensated for by the lush green condition of the bush, clearer skies (better for a photographic safari), and far greater variety and profusion of birds as resident species come into breeding plumage and are supplemented by a variety of intra-African and Palaearctic migrants, making it a good time for a birding safari.
• January falls into the nesting season for loggerhead and leatherback turtles along the beaches of iSimangaliso, and turtle-tracking tours can be undertaken in the evening.
• Accommodation tends to be full during the school holidays, which run to mid-January, but much quieter towards the end of the month.