South Africa in August

South Africa in August

By Andre Van Kets

Co-founder, Discover Africa

Safari Enquiry

Copy Link Share on LinkedIn Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Copied to clipboard!

August may not be a bucket list month for a holiday in South Africa, but this month still sees a peak in visitation. School holidays occur in the northern hemisphere, so accommodation may have to be booked in advance.

While this time of year is in demand, accommodation rates and flight costs remain low, adding to the perks of a safari trip during August.

Even though August is a wet month, there is still a chance to see wildlife in parks such as the Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park. The park offers excellent wildlife viewing all year long, regardless of the country’s weather.

Weather in August

Temperatures start to rise slightly at this point, but there’s still a chance of rainfall now and then. However, damp weather means vegetation thrives and creates a beautiful landscape view.

Pros

• Low accommodation and flight costs
• Flower season
• Rich game life

Cons

• More crowds than usual
• Cold and wet weather

National Parks to Visit in South Africa and Why

Timbavati Game Reserve

Timbavati Game Reserve’s peak visitation period occurs from May to September, as the dry season is the best time of the year to see the Big Five and other wildlife.

What to do:

• Off-road driving
• Day and night drives
• Walking safaris

Table Mountain National Park

Table Mountain National Park has something for everyone, from sports activities to natural scenes and historical sites. While hiking Table Mountain, you can also see an exceptional array of unique animals and plant life, mirroring some of the activities and sightseeing of other national parks.

What to do:

• Hiking
• Aquatic life viewing

Kgalagadi National Park

In rainy weather, the Kgalagadi National Park remains a good destination for a safari, as game life tends to be good all year round. Known as a pretty dry region, it’s usually a preferred destination for those looking for ultimate tranquillity.

What to do:

• Birding