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The best time to go depends on what you are looking to do and see, and to a degree, the region you wish to visit. Planning around South African school holidays is probably more important than considering the weather. Accommodation is in great demand and is booked up quickly, and activities and parks are busy. The absolute peak is from mid-December to mid-January, but either side of this can still be very busy. Over Easter is another very busy time for family holiday makers. Winter (June/July) is reasonably busy in the game reserves in the north and north-eastern parts of the country as this is the optimum time for Big 5 spotting.

If you are planning a safari, avoid the summer months, when both temperatures and rainfall peak (across the majority of the country). Game viewing is not recommended during these times as spotting the Big 5 through lush vegetation is difficult, and with the abundance of water, animals tend to stray away from permanent water sources, dispersing more widely. When it rains, the animals tend to seek shelter, and if you are in an open top vehicle, you may do similar!

The Eastern Cape is the exception to this, with game viewing possible all year due to its temperate climate and minimal seasonal variations. Another huge advantage is that it is one of the view malaria-free game areas on the African continent.

Generally, avoid the crowds, work out what activity you want to do, and then plan around that.

Reading:
To find out more about South Africa or to bag some books, dvd's or music for your trip, please take a look at the Mud Hut's Reading List!