Seasonal adventures in South Africa

• Email
• Tweet
• Print

Sailing off the shore of Cape Town

© South African Tourism

There are so many adventures in South Africa, that it would take a lifetime to experience them all. One way to choose an adventure is explore what’s on offer during the time of year that you’ll be visiting. Here are some seasonal ideas...

The Eden to Addo hike is a 20-day 400km guided hike traversing 7 mountain ranges, 6 national parks and nature reserves, and 5 biomes through the Eastern Cape’s wildest and most beautiful landscapes. The hike usually takes place in September and is a great South African adventure.

Baviaanskloof off-road adventures are extreme adventures in off-the-beaten-track locations in the Eastern Cape. The area features mountains, valleys, forests and thickets, and abundant wildlife. The rugged terrain means most areas are only accessible by 4x4, mountain bike or on foot. September and October are good months to go, as the weather is mild and there is little rain.

Jeffrey’s Bay is the surf capital of South Africa and a top 10 rated surf spot worldwide. Winter, from June to August, is wave season in Jeffrey’s Bay, while the summer months are crowded and fun, with great weather and lots of beach activities. 

Sea kayaking is a relaxing way to appreciate South Africa’s beautiful coastline. It's a great way to view whales, dolphins, and seals. There is also plenty of kayaking to be done on the many rivers and dams in the country. There is also plenty of kayaking to be done on the many rivers and dams in the country. Kayaking in the Cape is best during summer (December, January and February) when conditions are hot, days are longer and there is little rainfall. In KwaZulu-Natal with its year-round temperate climate it can be enjoyed at any time.

Canoeing expeditions on the Orange River operate throughout the year, but are most popular in the summer months from November to March. Winter can get very cold.

You can enjoy cage-free diving tours with tiger sharks in the warm waters along the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape coastlines. Though the water remains warm in winter, summer is the best time to enjoy a tiger shark dive.

For a ride on the wild side, the Bokpoort Holiday Farm offers horseback safaris that range in length from 2 hours to 10 days. The horseback riding expedition up the Maluti Mountains is very popular. Athough a year-round destination, South Africa’s summer months are the best time to go.

For an extreme underwater encounter try out crocodile cage-diving in Oudtshoorn and get up close and personal with Nile crocodiles. You can go crocodile cage-diving any time of year, although the summer months are recommended.

The Kalahari Eco Ultra Marathon Walk is a 10-day, 301km walk through the Kalahari desert region of the Northern Cape province. Spend 10 days exploring the wonders of the Namaqualand region on foot in June and July.