| Imagine relaxing in the sun on a South African | | | | But the very best weather settles in during |
| beach while the folks back at home are enduring | | | | February and lasts through March. Book your |
| all the discomforts of winter. Because South | | | | holiday for this period, and you can avoid the |
| Africa is in the southern hemisphere, its seasons | | | | worst of the South African summer rush. To get |
| are the opposite of the northern hemisphere. The | | | | an even better jump on the crowds, as well as |
| summers are generally balmy, and in the winter | | | | an opportunity for bargain rates, you might want |
| months the temperatures seldom dip to the lows | | | | to consider taking your holiday during the |
| of northwestern Europe or North America. Only | | | | "shoulder months" of autumn or spring. October |
| occasionally does snow fall. When you plan your | | | | and April can be great times to visit South Africa. |
| holiday in this country which has so many diverse | | | | The Secret Season |
| attractions be sure to time it with the season | | | | The South African winter, which lasts from May |
| that will be most suitable to your needs and | | | | to August, has very unpredictable weather. It can |
| budget. | | | | be cold and rainy one day, and gloriously warm |
| When Beaches Beckon | | | | and sunny the next. Veteran South African |
| The peak tourist season in South Africa is from | | | | tourists call this the Secret Season. They know |
| the first week of November to the last week of | | | | from experience that if they come here for a |
| March. That is when the temperatures reach the | | | | week or two at this time of year, they are going |
| 80s F (high 20s C) in centres like Cape Town and | | | | to enjoy at least a few unforgettable days of |
| Johannesburg, and slightly lower in Kruger National | | | | splendid weather. The bonus is that hotel and |
| Park. It is during this period that tourists flock to | | | | resort rooms can be had at bargain rates. When |
| the long stretches of sandy beaches to swim in | | | | you are planning your Secret Season holiday in |
| sun-warmed water, and enjoy boating, surfing, | | | | South Africa, keep in mind that the country has |
| wind surfing, and other aquatic recreational | | | | school holidays in July and August. |
| activities. South African residents join the rush | | | | Seeing the Animals |
| during their summer vacation period, from | | | | The hot summer months of South Africa are |
| December 1 to January 15, and during the two | | | | excellent for beach culture, but they are not the |
| weeks surrounding Easter. You will always find | | | | best time for going on safari. At this time of year |
| plenty of room to spread your blanket on the | | | | the animals are hidden by long grass, and they do |
| beach, but at this time of year the hotels and | | | | not tend to gather at watering holes. Visitors will |
| resorts tend to fill up quickly, so it's a good idea | | | | have a much better opportunity of seeing South |
| to book your accommodations well in advance. | | | | Africa's exotic wildlife after the rains of April. The |
| Escape the Crowds | | | | weather might be humid, but for wildlife lovers |
| The most popular time to visit South Africa is | | | | this is the best time to see animals in their own |
| from November through January, as that is when | | | | element. Whatever time of year you choose, |
| large numbers of tourists take seasonal holidays. | | | | South Africa will have something special for you. |