South Africa Travel Guide
South Africa travel guide: interactive map, live weather, best time to visit, things to do and nearby places.
Summary
South Africa is a country in Africa. South Africa is a country in Africa with its capital at Pretoria. It has a population of about 60 million. The capital is Pretoria.
Right now it is 54°F (12°C) in South Africa with clear sky. It feels like 52°F. Today runs from 50°F to 75°F. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Sightseeing conditions score 9.4/10 - excellent - go now.
The best time to visit South Africa is May, June, July, August, September and October. The climate is Mediterranean. March, April and November tend to be the least comfortable months. February is the warmest month with average highs near 83°F, while June is the coldest with lows near 44°F.
The closest major airport is O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), about 27 mi away. Nearby highlights include Kruger National Park, Table Mountain, Robben Island and Boulders Beach.
In plain terms. Today is slightly cooler than average for October. The forecast high of 75°F is 6.3°F below the 81°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 11 AM to 2 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. stargazing is the strongest bet in South Africa today at 10/10. No weather-related travel disruption is expected today. Roads and airports should run normally.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Map of South Africa
Interactive map with nearby places. Switch between street, terrain and satellite views.
Coordinates: 25°44′52.4″S 28°13′45.5″E (-25.7479, 28.2293)
Weather in South Africa right now
Source: Open-Meteo. Updated 6:18 PM, Oct 3 local time.
Weekend outlook
☁️ 75° / 50°
Overcast · 0% rain · wind 7 mph
🌦️ 69° / 51°
Light drizzle · 25% rain · wind 8 mph
Quick facts about South Africa
| Type | Country |
|---|---|
| Continent | Africa |
| Continent | Africa |
| Coordinates | 25°44′52.4″S 28°13′45.5″E (-25.7479, 28.2293) |
| Capital | Pretoria |
| Population | 60.000.000 |
| Area | 471.445 sq mi |
| ISO code | ZA |
| ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 | ZAF |
| Currency | South African rand (ZAR) |
| Languages | English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa |
| Calling code | +27 |
| Time zone | Africa/Johannesburg |
| Local time | 6:18 PM (UTC+02:00) |
| Best months | May, June, July, August, September and October |
| Climate | Mediterranean |
Things to do in South Africa
Attractions, parks and landmarks in and around South Africa.
Best time to visit South Africa
Go in May, June, July, August, September and October. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: March, April and November - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
What to pack, what to skip
- Lightweight, light-coloured clothing and a refillable water bottle
- Sunglasses, a brimmed hat and SPF 30+
- Layers - the daily swing is 66°F, so mornings feel nothing like afternoons
- If your dates are flexible, avoid March, April and November - historically the least comfortable months here.
Airports near South Africa
Closest airports with IATA codes and distances.
| Airport | Code | Distance | Serves |
|---|---|---|---|
| O. R. Tambo International Airport | JNB | 27 mi | Johannesburg |
| Cape Town International Airport | CPT | 809 mi | Cape Town |
Cities in South Africa
2 cities mapped in this atlas
National parks in South Africa
1 national parks mapped in this atlas
Explore South Africa
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Travel Guide for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is South Africa?
South Africa is a country in Africa. Its coordinates are -25.7479, 28.2293. It lies in Africa.
What is the weather like in South Africa right now?
It is currently 54°F (12°C) with clear sky. Humidity is 70% and wind is 2 mph.
When is the best time to visit South Africa?
May, June, July, August, September and October offer the most comfortable conditions in South Africa, which has a Mediterranean climate. March, April and November are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is South Africa in?
South Africa observes Africa/Johannesburg (UTC+02:00). The local time is 6:18 PM.
How many people live in South Africa?
South Africa has a population of approximately 60 million.
What is the nearest airport to South Africa?
The closest airports are O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), 27 mi away and Cape Town International Airport (CPT), 809 mi away.
What are the top things to do in South Africa?
Popular options include Kruger National Park, Table Mountain, Robben Island, Boulders Beach, Camps Bay Beach and Table Mountain.
What places are in South Africa?
South Africa covers 3 places in this atlas, including Cape Town, Johannesburg and Kruger National Park.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (countries-v1) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Map tiles | OpenStreetMap contributors, CARTO and Esri. |
| Elevation | Open-Meteo digital elevation model where the dataset has no value. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated October 3, 2026 at 6:18 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
