The best time to visit Cape Town, and why our hosted group goes in the Cape autumn

The best time to visit Cape Town is from November to March, around the Cape's summer, when it has its least rain and its warmest days. Late March into early April, as the Cape autumn starts, catches the tail of that dry season with the heat eased off, and that is when Spice Escapes takes a small hosted group of people travelling on their own there on South Africa Discovery, with Sue Giddings as host.

Below are the weather service averages season by season, why we go at the turn of the Cape autumn, what the weather means on the trip, and two other hosted holidays if those dates do not suit.

Cape Town by season: dry summers, wet winters

Cape Town's seasons run opposite to Britain's, and its rain comes in winter. These are long-term averages from the South African Weather Service, published by the World Meteorological Organization for 1961 to 1990, not a forecast.

• Summer, December to February: highs of about 25 to 26.5°C and lows of about 15 to 16°C, with 15 to 17mm of rain a month. February is the warmest month.
• Autumn, March to May: highs ease from about 25°C to 20°C, and monthly rain climbs from 20mm to 69mm.
• Winter, June to August: highs of 17.5 to 18°C and the wettest weather, with 93mm in June over about 13 days of rain.
• Spring, September to November: highs climb from about 19°C to 23.5°C, and rain falls away from 40mm to 14mm by November.

Why the turn of March and April suits people who prefer warm to hot

Cape Town's summer is warm rather than fierce, but January and February, at about 26°C, are its hottest months. March averages a high of about 25°C and a low of 14°C, with 20mm of rain over about five days. April is softer again, at about 23°C by day and 12°C at night, though its rain doubles to 41mm over about eight days.

A trip that straddles the two months gets the tail of the dry season with the edge off the heat: warm days for long excursions, and evenings that call for a jumper.

Sue's group goes at exactly that point in the year: 29 Mar 2027 – 8 Apr 2027. See the dates and book online on the South Africa Discovery page.

On South Africa Discovery, the weather matters most for Table Mountain

South Africa Discovery is 10 nights, from £3,499, hosted by Sue Giddings. Sue meets the group at arrivals and stays for the whole trip. Home is The Vineyard, a hotel in gardens on the slopes of Table Mountain, with a heated indoor pool for any grey afternoon.

The free day offers an optional trip up Table Mountain, which depends on the weather, or to Robben Island, Nelson Mandela's prison island. Going at the dry end of the year helps, though no month can promise a clear summit.

Other days take in Chapman's Peak Drive, Cape Point and the penguins at Boulders Beach, the Franschhoek winelands, and an overnight at a private game reserve with a sunrise game drive.

On your own in Cape Town, with company built in

Most people on a Spice holiday book on their own. Groups are around fifteen people, and some reach twenty. With Sue doing the arranging, there are meals to share and people to compare penguin photographs with.

A room to yourself carries a supplement, set out on our single supplement page. If this is your first trip of this kind, read our guide for first-time solo travellers, or see our solo holidays for the over 50s.

Cannot make those dates? Two trips timed for their own best season

Crete Discovery goes in the Greek autumn: 7 nights, 5 Oct 2027 – 12 Oct 2027, from £1,499, hosted by Lauren Fawkes. Its holiday notes call October one of the best times to visit Crete, with days of 22 to 26°C and the sea at 22 to 24°C. One day goes up to the Lasithi Plateau for a home-cooked lunch at a family taverna.

For long-haul warmth later in the year, Maldives Wildlife Cruise & Beach Chillout is 12 nights, 27 Nov 2027 – 9 Dec 2027, from £4,199, with Jonathan Banks as host. Its notes call November one of the best times to visit, as the islands move into the dry season, with averages of 27 to 30°C. Seven nights are on MV Felicity, a wooden boat for twelve guests at most.

See all our holidays in South Africa and worldwide adventures, or read about escorted tours worldwide and autumn holiday destinations.

Questions people ask

What is the weather like in Cape Town in April?

On average, highs of about 23°C, lows of about 12°C and 41mm of rain over about eight days. Pack layers for the evenings.

Is March a good time to visit Cape Town?

Yes. March averages a high of about 25°C and 20mm of rain over about five days, still one of the driest months.

When is the rainy season in Cape Town?

Winter. June is the wettest month on average, with 93mm of rain, and every month from May to August averages more than 11 days with some rain.

When is the best time to go to South Africa?

It depends on the region. Cape Town is driest from November to March, while Johannesburg is the other way round, with 125mm of rain in January and under 10mm a month from June to August.

See the dates and book South Africa Discovery online

See the dates and book online on the South Africa Discovery page, where the live price sits beside the Book button. Places now: 9 places left.

For a question before booking, ask Sue Giddings, the host, through our contact page, or ask Rosie, the chat on the holiday page.