Enquire
Why book with us?

What are you looking for?

Hello traveller!

It's in Cape Town now.

We're sorry. Our safari planners aren't available now. Our office hours are 08:00 - 19:00 (GMT+2).

Call us to speak to an experienced safari planner.


Alternatively, we recommend...

travel-form-icon

Complete our travel enquiry form to connect with a safari planner

ENQUIRE TODAY

Cape Town in January

Africa's best authentic tailor-made safaris

Climate

The month of January enjoys hot, sunny days with clear skies and plenty of daylight hours. Sunset is only after 8 PM! Daytime temperatures are in the mid to high 20°C/68°F, although it’s not uncommon for temperatures to rise well over 30°C/86°F. Cape Town falls within a winter rainfall region, so this month is mostly dry. Expect the occasional (very) windy day.

January enjoys hot, sunny days with clear skies and plenty of daylight hours.

Best Regions
  • The month of January is perfect for just about any outdoor activity. A day on the beach is the best way to enjoy the hot weather, and a visit to Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town is exceptional since you might spot juvenile penguins.
  • January often experiences windy days, popular with kitesurfers in areas like Bloubergstrand. For calmer conditions, head for the picturesque beaches of Clifton, where the coastline is sheltered from the wind.
  • Hiking trails on the Table Mountain range are best enjoyed in the early morning when it’s cooler, while sunset picnics on Signal Hill are a treat.
  • In the evenings, movie lovers can look forward to the Galileo Open Air Cinema screenings at various venues around the city, including Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the V&A Waterfront, and the Cape Winelands.
  • The one-of-a-kind Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, a colorful parade that dates back to the city’s slave era of the 1800s, takes place on the 2nd of January in the city center.
Pros and Cons

Long, warm and sunny days make exploring the city and surrounding areas a joy, and Cape Town’s social scene blossoms in this period with many events and activities on offer. On the other hand, January is one of the busiest months of the year, so Cape Town gets crowded with visitors. Flights and accommodation are harder to find and more expensive.

 

 

Ready to plan your tailor-made safari?

909 Reviews - 5/5 Stars

Craft your journey with the expertise of our dedicated Africa Safari Experts

Start Planning

What Our Guests Have to Say?

Read recent reviews from travellers who have planned and booked their trips with us

star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Safari Bookings review

"Chrizaan was friendly, organized and extremely knowledgeable about lodges and safari options that we were interested in. We booked an 11 night tour through Zimbabwe and Botswana starting in Victoria Falls at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge then going to Botswan..."

Linda, United States12 Aug 2026

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Trustpilot review

"From the very beginning, Bianca was a wonderful help in planning our South African safari. Her knowledge, attention to detail, and thoughtful recommendations made our trip truly exceptional. Becks Safari Lodge was, in our group’s opinion, a six-star expe..."

Leanne Morris, Australia12 Jun 2026

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Trustpilot review

"Going to south and central Africa was a bucket list item for me and booking a big and expensive trip always feels a bit risky and you hope you have made the right choice. Booking with Discover Africa was fantastic from beginning to end! Our trip coordina..."

Deanna Rozak, United States25 May 2026

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"I contacted a few agency, Discover Africa was fast to respond. Every steps of the way in planning to the very end of departure, all things were planned with precise accuracy. Adelle was always in communication and ready to help and answer everything. Fra..."

Boaz Leung, United States21 Feb 2026

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Trustpilot review

"We had a wonderful safari experience, and Justin from Discover Africa made everything seamless from start to finish. Communication before the trip was clear and helpful, and we felt well supported throughout. Some truly special moments including the fant..."

Tim Curtis, Netherlands18 Feb 2026

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"This trip was all about making memories, and it did just that. Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Mala Mala Safari Lodge, Victoria Falls, and finally Zanzibar. Our boutique hotels along the way were nothing less than stunning, as was Lanzarac Manor in Stellenbosch. T..."

Angela Dandy, United Kingdom24 Sep 2025

Read More
View All Testimonials

Our safari traveller reviews are independently verified and sourced from trusted third-party review platforms.