Contents
Why Visit Sri Lanka
When To Visit Sri Lanka
Getting To Sri Lanka
Getting Around Sri Lanka
Where To Stay in Sri Lanka
Things To Do In Sri Lanka
Eating & Drinking in Sri Lanka
Visas For Travel in Sri Lanka
Crime In Sri Lanka
Vaccinations For Travel To Sri Lanka
Why Visit Sri Lanka
When To Visit Sri Lanka
When to visit Sri Lanka
Check out our Sri Lanka travel guide, broken down month-by-month:
Visiting South Africa in January
January delivers very hot and and very dry weather in the Cape. This means it's a perfect time of year to visit Cape Town (just after the Christmas tourists have left) and the Garden Route. The Kruger National Park and KwaZulu Natal very hery high temperatures, but these hot and sunny periods are broken up with with heavy, tropical rainstorms.
Visiting South Africa in February
February in South Africa is the equivelent of July/August in the northern hemisphere - it's very hot! It's one of the most popular times to visit South Africa, so hotels are usually booked up in advance. It's a brilliant time to visit the wine regions of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl as it's right in the height of harvest season.
Visiting South Africa in March
The Easter break often falls in March, so it's a popular time to visit South Africa. You're nearing the end of the rainy season in the north, so if you're planning on heading on safari at this time, you'll find thick, green bush and full rivers. The country is still hot throughout, although evenings on the coast can begin to feel cooler.
Visiting South Africa in April
April in South Africa is still very warm, but cool enough that you can comfortably move between the regions. It's a popular time of year and an advisable time to travel if you plan on doing safaris, beaches and the winelands all in the same trip. It can begin to rain a bit in the Cape and the rainy season in the north is coming to an end.
Visiting South Africa in May
When May comes around, the summer crowds have started to thin out, but the weather is still great in many parts of the country. The rainy season is almost at it's peak in the Cape, so if you're looking for a beach break, avoid this time of year. However, with cooler and drier days across much of the rest of the country, it's a fantastic time of year to go on safari.Notable events and festivals
- Riebeek Valley Olive Festival in the Swartland
- Wacky Wine Weekend in the Robertson wine valley
Visiting South Africa in June
Winter in the Cape enjoys cooler temperatures and is a great time to visit the Winelands. It's never particularly cold during the days, but you will enjoy roaring fires at night. The mountains of the Cape see a light dusting of snow in the higher altitudes. The Cape experiences it's wettest season at this time of year, so it's not a great time to visit if you're planning on outdoor activities like hiking, camping or lounging on the beach. Cape Town is best seen in the summer, but if you're visiting the Kruger Park, Durban or Johannesburg, this is a perfectly acceptable time to travel. As it's the low season, prices throughout the country are at their best.
Visiting South Africa in July
Whale watching season begins in earnest in July. This amazing natural wonder is best viewed from the coastal towns of Plettenberg Bay and Hermanus. The southern right whales begin their migration, with their baby whales, from the cold waters of Antartica to the warmer climate of South Africa. Equally, it now drier in the north and much of the vegetation will have thinned out, making it much easier to see big game when on safari. The watering holes on the game parks become important sources of water for the animals in the drier months, so you'll see a lot more game congregating around these areas.Notable events and festivals
- Whale watching season starts (July to November). This is the best time of year to catch a glimpse of the southern right whale.
Visiting South Africa in August
August in South Africa is when spring begins. Flowers across the Northern Cape and Western Cape begin to bloom and the regions are carpeted with colourful flowers. Locals often travel to see them. The Cape in general is not warm at this time and the famous cable car to the top of Table Mountain is closed for maintenance. However, August is a fantastic time of year to visit the KwaZulu Natal, as temperatures are still clement.
Visiting South Africa in September
September in South Africa sees the temperatures start to rise and the flowers on the West Coast are now in full bloom. Even so, mornings and evenings remain a bit chilly. Many animals are giving birth at this time of year, so it’s a great time for safaris or whale watching.
Visiting South Africa in October
October is one of the best months to combine regions in South Africa. Temperatures are rising but it’s not yet the rainy season up north. The Garden Route is beautiful at this time of year. If you’re planning on self-driving from Cape Town to Knysna, this is the time to do it.
Visiting South Africa in November
November in South Africa is when the summer temperatures really start to kick in. The rainy season in the Kruger and in Kwazulu Natal are getting started and you’ll be treated to many late afternoon thunderstorms in these regions. The whale watching season is coming to an end and it’s also a great time of year to visit the inland areas before they become too hot. Paternoster, The Karoo and Brede River are all great options for November in South Africa. The penguins of Boulders Beach and Cape Point are a highlight and now is a good time to see them before the summer crowds get too hectic.
Visiting South Africa in December
December is the festive season when the offices, schools and universities are shut. This means that attractions and restaurants can get booked up in advance not only by international, but local holidaymakers as well. The weather in the Cape is very hot and very dry and it’s a perfect time of year for hitting the beaches before the wind picks up in January and February. The beaches are full, but there are so many amazing beaches in the Cape, there are plenty to choose from.
Getting To Sri Lanka
Where To Stay in Sri Lanka
Things To Do In Sri Lanka
Eating & Drinking in Sri Lanka
Eating in Sri Lanka
Visas For Travel in Sri Lanka
Crime In Sri Lanka
Vaccinations For Travel To Sri Lanka
We’re not medical professionals, so we can’t give any advice on vaccinations. However, we have naturally had to do a ton of research into the vaccinations required for travel around the world and Sri Lankan vaccinations in particular.
All we can do is offer some of the answer and resources we’ve found along the way. It should go without saying but please ensure you speak to a registered, licensed medical professional for the latest travel vaccination advice.
As with any travel, travellers should always ensure they are up-to-date with their routine vaccinations. In the UK, these vaccinations include for example measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine.
Yellow Fever
There is no risk of yellow fever in this country, however, if you are travelling from a country that has a risk of yellow fever, you will require a certificate confirming you have been vaccinated.
This applies to travellers over 1 year old that have travelled from countries with risk of yellow fever, as well as for travellers who have been in transit for more than 12 hours in an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Malaria Risk
The vast majority of South African has no risk of malaria. However, depending on where you’re travelling to in South Africa, there is some risk of malaria.
Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease which is transmitted by mosquitoes when they bite you. You cannot be vaccinated against malaria, but you can take anti-malarials to reduce the risk of contracting the disease. However, prevention is better than cure applies here. The only way to 100% protect against malaria is to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes. If travelling to a high-risk area, make use of mosquito repellant, cover exposed skin and sleep under a mosquito net if possible.
Vaccines Most Travellers Will Need
- Hepatitis A
- Tetanus
- Typhoid
Vaccines Some Travellers Will Need
- Cholera
- Hepatitis B
- Rabies
- Tuberculosis (TB)
For more, detailed information on South Africa travel vaccinations, it’s definitely worthwhile checking out these sites:
- Travel Health Pro – South Africa Vaccine Recommendations
- Fit For Travel (NHS) – South Africa Travel Immunisations
