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Imagine travelling across vibrant green grassland in an open safari vehicle. As the sun rises, you can feel the environment warm up. You stop for morning coffee; dew drops glisten on the greenery, and the sounds of birds are all around you. This is a green season safari in South Africa.
As the summer season progresses in the country’s iconic safari destinations, rainfall and temperatures increase. Watering holes and grazing lands are now plentiful, causing wildlife to disperse. While big game may be more difficult to spot, this is prime time for birders. European and North African avian migrants fly into game reserves and national parks, giving safari-goers a whole different perspective on the African wilderness.
In contrast, Cape Town continues to see rainfall decrease. Hot, sunny days are now the norm – ideal conditions for relaxing on the region’s Blue Flag beaches. This is also a perfect time of the year to explore the wine estates that dot the Western Cape – wine tasting and gourmet lunches in a serene wine farm setting is a beautiful way to spend time in this coastal city.
Weather in November
The summer rains increase in Kruger and surrounds, along with the temperatures and humidity. Top safari destinations in South Africa can reach a high of 31 °C/88 °F and a low of 18 °C/64 °F – conditions can still be slightly cold in the early mornings and evenings. Rainfall is usually concentrated in short bursts during afternoons, so it shouldn’t negatively impact morning and evening game drives. Cape Town’s temperatures can reach a high of 24 °C/75 °F and a low of 13 °C/55 °F, with an average rainfall of 0.6 in.
Average Weather in November
Kruger and Surrounds
| Temperature | Celsius | Fahrenheit | Rainfall |
| Min | 18℃ | 64℉ | 2.5 inches |
| Max | 31℃ | 88℉ | 3.9 inches |
Cape Town
| Temperatures | Celsius | Fahrenheit | Rainfall |
| Min | 11℃ | 52℉ | 0.8 inches |
| Max | 21℃ | 70℉ | 2.4 inches |
Destinations to Visit in South Africa in November
Samara Karoo Private Wildlife Reserve
The transition spring months – September to November – can be a fantastic choice for a Samara safari. Game viewing is still good and the weather is temperate. A must-do experience is cheetah tracking on foot, an activity that will take you across the terrain with a guide in search of these big cats. You’ll spend time watching these incredible animals in their natural habitat.
Balule Game Reserve
Sharing unfenced borders with Kruger National Park, Balule offers authentic safari experiences, including birding. November is the perfect time of the year to see the migratory birds that come to the reserve. There are over 250 bird species here, including the trumpeter hornbill, purple-crested turaco, and black-collared barbet.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
This is an ideal safari destination if you’re looking for a less crowded experience. In order to maintain the park’s pure wilderness experience, the number of vehicles that travel the trails is strictly controlled. This seclusion is taken to the next level in the green season. The park has a list of over 300 birds, with more than half of these species being migrants.
Activities to Do in November in South Africa
- Whale watching by boat and along the coast
- Beach days in Cape Town
- Game drives in national parks and game reserves
- Photographic safaris
- Birdwatching safaris
