What is the hottest city in South Africa? September is springtime to South Africa. Flowers burst into bloom, temperatures rise, and wildlife viewing excels on safari. It’s an ideal month for beach holidays and road trips before summer crowds arrive. Pack light clothing, with warmer layers for early mornings and evenings. Interior cities like Johannesburg dry out ahead of the rains, while the first storms roll in along the east coast. Overall, September is a great month to visit with sunny days, spectacular scenery and a flourishing natural world. Keep scrolling to read my guide to the hottest places in South Africa in September, along with my personal holiday recommendations, and what’s going on around the country. Cape Town Average high temperature: 18.6°C Average low temperature: 9.6°C Average daily hours of sunshine: 8 Average monthly rainfall: 40mm Cape Town sees highs around 19°C in September cooled by the Atlantic breeze. The city’s quieter beaches are perfect for seaside strolls. Hike up Table Mountain before the cable car closes for annual maintenance. Explore Cape Point and the Cape Winelands, where the first grapes are harvested. Johannesburg Average high temperature: 22.4°C Average low temperature: 8.9°C Average daily hours of sunshine: 10 Average monthly rainfall: 26mm It’s dry season in Johannesburg with 10 hours of daily sun. Temperatures reach the low 20s, cooling down at night. See Constitution Hill, tour Soweto Township and follow the Mandela Trail. Nearby Pretoria’s purple jacarandas begin flowering this month. Durban Average high temperature: 22.5°C Average low temperature: 13.7°C Average daily hours of sunshine: 7 Average monthly rainfall: 58mm Durban starts to heat up in September, with highs around 23°C. Expect short sharp thunderstorms bringing the first significant rainfall of the season. It’s a good time of year to explore the Golden Mile’s Indian markets and Victorian architecture. Take a township tour or watch cricket at Kingsmead Stadium. If you have longer, take a spectacular self-drive tour of Kwa-Zulu Natal. Kruger National Park Average high temperature: 28.7°C Average low temperature: 15.4°C Average daily hours of sunshine: 10 Average monthly rainfall: 26mm In Kruger National Park, September is prime game viewing season as the bush continues to thin out before the rains. Temperatures reach 29°C with low humidity. Spot plentiful wildlife coming to drink at waterholes before the wet season. Look for leopard in the woodlands along rivers where impala gather. Port Elizabeth Average high temperature: 19.5°C Average low temperature: 12.8°C Average daily hours of sunshine: 7 Average monthly rainfall: 34mm In the Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth remains mild in September, with daily highs around 20°C. Rent a car to explore the Garden Route and take a boat trip to see whales and dolphins as the season winds down. Visit Addo Elephant National Park for the Big Five, or relax on quiet blue flag beaches. Don’t miss the Ironman 70.3 triathlon. Kimberley Average high temperature: 27.6°C Average low temperature: 11.8°C Average daily hours of sunshine: 11 Average monthly rainfall: 11mm Up on the dry interior plateau, Kimberley warms up in September as humidity drops. Average highs reach 28°C. Mornings and late afternoons are perfect for seeing the Big Hole, Aberdeen and rock engravings. At night, enjoy clear skies and star gazing from local guest houses before the scorching summer heat arrives. Madikwe Average high temperature: 28.2°C Average low temperature: 11.3°C Average daily hours of sunshine: 11 Average monthly rainfall: 9mm In malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, September is hot and dry before the summer storms arrive, with average highs around 28°C. But low humidity keeps game viewing comfortable morning and evening. Spot the Big Five coming to drink at watering holes as the landscape dries out. Also look for endangered African wild dogs and their growing pups. Addo Elephant National Park Average high temperature: 20.5°C Average low temperature: 11.4°C Average daily hours of sunshine: 8 Average monthly rainfall: 25mm Addo is pleasantly mild in September with temps in the low 20s and modest rainfall. Spot elephants, lions, rhinos, buffaloes and more on game drives and guided walks. Addo Elephant National Park protects the world’s densest elephant population, along with the unique, flightless dung beetle found only here. Other holiday ideas in South Africa South Africa’s luxury Blue Train is one of the world’s great rail journeys, covering 1,000 miles between Pretoria and Cape Town. It’s easily combined with a self-drive tour and a safari holiday. South Africa is known for its malaria-free safaris, one of the reasons it’s popular for family holidays. There are many luxury places to stay but it’s hard to beat Ulusaba, Sir Richard Branson’s private game reserve, which you could combine with Mont Rochelle, his estate in the Winelands. You can also combine a visit to South Africa with a holiday in Mauritius or the Seychelles. Destination Ave. high temperature Daily hours of sun Monthly rainfall Cape Town 18.6°C 8 40mm Johannesburg 22.4°C 10 26mm Durban 22.5°C 7 58mm Kruger National Park 28.7°C 10 26mm Port Elizabeth 19.5°C 7 34mm Kimberley 27.6°C 11 11mm Madikwe 28.2°C 11 9mm Addo Elephant National Park 20.5°C 8 25mm What’s on in South Africa in September September marks the start of the whale watching season, as southern rights arrive in Hermanus and other coastal spots to breed. In Cape Town, the Table Mountain Cableway re-opens for the season, allowing visitors to scale this natural wonder for spectacular views. The Cape Philharmonic Orchestra performs free Sunday concerts in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Up in Pretoria, the city’s purple-flowering jacaranda trees erupt into bloom, blanketing parks and streets. Nearby Johannesburg hosts the popular Joy of Jazz festival, along with Constitution Hill’s Eclipse Concert celebrating Heritage Day. Kruger National Park offers prime game viewing as the bush thins out and wildlife clusters around waterholes ahead of the wet season. Migrant birds return from Europe and northern Africa to nest.