It’s a question I’m asked all the time.
Having guided well over a thousand tours around Cape Town and the Garden Route, I’ve experienced every season. The truth is, there isn’t a bad month to visit. Every time of year offers something different.
Personally, I love July and August because I love winter, the wind and rain have never bothered me, in fact I love it when the sea is angry. I always enjoyed storms, even when I was in the Royal Navy in another life years ago.
But if someone asked me to recommend just one month for the best overall experience, I’d choose February.
By then, the South African school holidays have finished, so the city has settled down after Christmas. The beaches, restaurants and attractions are still lively, but the biggest crowds have disappeared.
The weather is another reason. February is typically hot, sunny and dry, but without the extreme heat that can arrive earlier in summer. It’s ideal for long days exploring the Cape Peninsula, enjoying a braai, visiting the Winelands or setting off on the Garden Route.
For travellers escaping the Northern Hemisphere winter, the timing is perfect. While Europe and North America are wrapped up in coats and scarves, Cape Town is enjoying long daylight hours, warm evenings and endless opportunities to be outdoors.
Of course, every traveller is different. If you enjoy whale watching, wildflowers or dramatic winter scenery, August, September might suit you better. But if you’re looking for the best all-round combination of weather, atmosphere and sightseeing, I think February is hard to beat.
After all these years guiding visitors around one of the world’s most beautiful cities, it’s the month I’d choose for my own guests every time.
