It is always ideal to kickstart one’s New Year with a vacation, something that will help start the journey on a positive note. If you are wondering what place would be ideal for the same, the possibilities might actually be endless. Irrespective of that, it is believed that South Africa does serve as an amazing tourist destination. South Africa in January is often believed to be the peak season of the summer. And while you will find the place crowded with tourists, the activities and the places to visit around aren’t short on thrill and excitement. So, there’s absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t plan your trip at the start of the year to this gorgeous country.
Take a look at this guide that’ll help you plan a perfect holiday in South Africa with your loved ones!
Weather In South Africa In January
The very first thing that most of the people fret about when it comes to visiting is South Africa in January weather. The weather can be quite hot and humid owing to the persistent flow of warm currents through the Indian Ocean. The best thing about visiting South Africa in the month of January is the fact that the climate is quite pleasant. The temperature tends to skirt around 19 to 29 degrees centigrade which is pretty decent. The nights are comparatively colder than the daytime. So, if you get cold easily, pack a few warm clothes.
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6 Places To Visit In South Africa In January
South Africa is gradually gaining the title of the adventure capital of the world. The main reason behind the same is because of the wide range of activities and places you can indulge in while you are there. From Namibia to the capital city of Cape Town, the possible places around are way too many to visit.
South Africa has a dense and rich reserve of safaris, caves, marine life and even the scenic beauty that majority of the people boast about.
- Johannesburg – The Economic Centre
- Addo Elephant National Park – Elephants And More
- Durban – A Culturally Rich Place
- Kgalagadi Frontier Park – Fauna At Its Best
- Kruger National Park – Best Of Nature
- Cape Peninsula – Witness The Breathtaking Ocean
1. Johannesburg – The Economic Centre
Often regarded as the entry point of South Africa, it is also known as the economic heart of the continent. It is the second largest city in the entirety of the continent with a total population amounting to over 3 million. If you are there, ensure to visit the Soweto township for the overall experience around with the locals to experience the best of South Africa in January. Don’t get deterred by the stereotypical thought process of regarding this place as the site of violence and crime, because that is not the complete picture.
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2. Addo Elephant National Park – Elephants And More
As mentioned before, South Africa is famous for its wide range of safaris and wildlife around. One of the most popular wildlife spotting destinations is the Addo Elephant National Park. The elephants that are kept protected inside the park are not the traditional ones you see every day. These elephants have a special brown colored skin because of the red soil in the environment. Apart from the elephants, you can also easily spot a wide range of other animals and birds like ostriches, warthogs, antelopes etc. The extension of the park is home to a bunch of lions and hyenas.
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3. Durban – A Culturally Rich Place
This is one of those places that should definitely be visited when you’re confused about where to go in January in South Africa. Durban is not just known for introducing “Bunny Chow” to the world. The place is more than being the street food capital of the continent. It is located on the eastern coast of the continent. The amazing subtropical climate and the picturesque beaches that are found around in the vicinity make this one of the best spots to visit around in South Africa. Apart from the colonial imprints around in the place, you can actually experience a wide range of sightseeing spots in the area. There is a wide range of Islamic mosques, Hindu temples, Zulu murals, and even Christian churches.
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4. Kgalagadi Frontier Park – Fauna At Its Best
Next, on the list of places to visit in South Africa in January includes the Kgalagadi Frontier Park. Located in the Kalahari region, the park is famous for its scenic and majestic red dunes that cover the perimeter of the area. It is also home to a wide range of migratory birds namely gemsbok, springbok, eland etc. It also hosts wild animals like lion, cheetah and even leopard.
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5. Kruger National Park – Best Of Nature
Last, on the list of the best places to visit around in South Africa include the Kruger National Park. It is located in the bordering perimeter of the countries of Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It is popular for boasting a wide range of animal population and is considered as one of the most popular parks in the entirety of South Africa.
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6. Cape Peninsula – Witness The Breathtaking Ocean
Cape Peninsula is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the whole landscape is a sight worth beholding! This is the best place you can visit when planning a trip to South Africa in January. The flora of this place will leave you spellbound, making you lose yourself amidst nature. You’ll also get a chance to witness the amazing African wildlife in this peninsula, making for a great experience.
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7 Things To Do In South Africa In January
Now that we have walked ourselves through the list of places to visit, it is time to go through the things to do.
- Cape Town – Explore The Locality
- Local Cuisine – Lip-Smacking Experience
- Hluhluwe & Imfolozi National Park – Go For Safari
- River Cruise – Exploring Wildlife Luxuriously
- Wildlife Safari – Observe The African Species
- Scuba Diving – Witness The Sharks
- Kirstenbosch – Enjoy The Winter Flora
1. Cape Town – Explore The Locality
When in South Africa, visiting and exploring Cape Town is an absolute must. The place has a mild climate and is filled with tourists from all across the globe. It is the perfect home base for you to start exploring around the locations nearby. It is best suggested to explore the place around.
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2. Local Cuisine – Lip-Smacking Experience
South African cuisine is a lot different than what you might be used to eating on a daily basis. The best way to go about with this is to ensure that you try out the food from the local restaurants. Try out the local favourites and if possible, indulge in the delectable street food as well. This is one of the must-try things you must consider putting in your itinerary when visiting South Africa in January.
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3. Hluhluwe & Imfolozi National Park – Go For Safari
This is where you should definitely plan a visit when looking for spots for South Africa safari in January. Considered the oldest game reserve in the continent, a safari through this place is an absolute must. The black, as well as the white rhino population, is the public favorite around the place. The conservation of these animal species is done with care which is why you are able to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
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4. River Cruise – Exploring Wildlife Luxuriously
Yet another amazing way to witness the glory of the wildlife around in South Africa is by indulging in a river cruise. With the platoon boat, you can easily experience and witness crocodile and hippos around in the water. There are several such companies who rent out these services, so make sure to get down to the best one.
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5. Wildlife Safari – Observe The African Species
If you are a pro at horse riding, you can actually go on a wildlife safari riding them. This experience takes you even closer to nature and helps you experience the beauty of everything up close. You can actually witness the giraffes and wildebeest running past you and that is an experience in itself.
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6. Scuba Diving – Witness The Sharks
That’s right – scuba diving in South Africa in January! Scuba diving during the winter season can be enjoyed at Protea Banks. The water of Protea Banks is considered to be warm and you can enjoy observing the sharks here without any hassle. If the marine life of South Africa fascinates you, then this is something you should definitely try during your January trip!
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7. Kirstenbosch – Enjoy The Winter Flora
The fact that you can only enjoy the sight of bright, colorful flowers during the spring season is a myth. At Kirstenbosch, you’ll get to observe the beauty of Fynbos that’ll simply melt your heart and make you want to lose yourself. Fynbos is one of the major highlights and bloom the best during the winter season.
What To Pack For Your South Africa Trip
Packing for South Africa is not extensive. Owing to the fact that the temperature skirts around 19-29 degrees centigrade, the clothes you need to pack can be normal wear. The nights are comparatively colder, so ensure to pack a few warm clothes just in case. Apart from this, you can keep your essential toiletries, medicines, a hat, a pair of sunglasses, and an easy to carry backpack so that you carry little things around easily.
How To Reach South Africa
When it comes to visiting South Africa, the common question that often does litter one’s mind is how should one get there, right? Well, flights, duh?
But, there is not just one airport in South Africa. So, the airport you book the flights to depends on the part of South Africa that you want to visit.
Majority of the people tend to visit Cape Town as their base ground and then go to other places from there. The Cape Town International Airport is one of the busiest around the area and is thus one of the best gateways in an out of South Africa.
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Experiencing the beauty of the wildlife watching in South Africa in January is an experience like no other. From the bustling city of Cape Town to the street food capital in Durban, it has a little to offer to every single person who visits. This is all you need to know when planning your South Africa trip. And rest assured now because you’d surely have a great time!
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Frequently Asked Questions About South Africa In January
Is January a good time to visit South Africa?
The weather in South Africa during the month of January remains warm and this time is considered the best to visit the country.
How hot is South Africa in January?
The temperature in South Africa during January remains in the range between 15°C and 26°C. The days are quite warm while the nights and evenings are cold.
What is the best time of year to visit South Africa?
The best time to visit South Africa is considered to be between the months May and October. During this time period, there are clear and warm days, while the nights are cold.
What is the cheapest month to fly to South Africa?
The cheapest month to fly to the country of South Africa is known to be November. The flights are most expensive in the months of June and July.
What is the coldest month in South Africa?
The time period between June and August is considered to be the coldest in the country of South Africa.
What is the rainy season in South Africa?
Most parts of the country of South Africa observe rainy season from the month of November to the month of March.
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