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Hunters Country House
Hunters Country House
Hunters Country House
Hunters Country House
Hunters Country House
Hunters Country House

Hunters Country House


34°3’9.6"S 23°16’30.9"E

About Hunters Country House

Set in a piece of heaven that you’d never know existed, Hunter's Country House lies along South Africa's ...

... Garden Route between the popular towns of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. Its extensive gardens, on a private estate, just off the N2 freeway, originally housed a homestead called Pear Tree Farm. The homestead became a B&B, then went on to open as one of the area's first luxury lodges.

Hunter's Country House offers truly elegant and comfortable accommodation, with luxurious suites in extensive, beautiful surroundings, and superb food. The lodge has many services and facilities, and caters particularly well for families – although couples seeking privacy will also be very happy here. It also makes an excellent base for exploring Plettenberg Bay and the surrounding Garden Route area.

Our view

Hunter's Country House offers truly elegant and comfortable accommodation, with luxurious suites in extensive, beautiful surroundings, and superb food. The lodge has many services and facilities, and caters particularly well for families – although couples seeking privacy will also be very happy here. It also makes an excellent base for exploring Plettenberg Bay and the surrounding Garden Route area.

Lucy Copson

Lucy Copson

South Africa expert

Accommodation

23 suites

Children

Excellent for families.

Open

All year

Activities

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Boat trip

Boat trip

Elephant encounter

Elephant encounter

Fishing

Fishing

Horse-riding

Horse-riding

Kayaking

Kayaking

Traveller reviews of Hunters Country House

13 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.


97%
13 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
11
Good
2
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Mr and Mrs AfromUK

Arrived 30 Jul 2023, 2 nights

"Hunters Country House review"

"Fantastic hotel. Good restaurant options. …" Read Mr and Mrs A’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr TfromBangkok

Arrived 15 Apr 2023, 4 nights

"Hunters Country House review"

"Super-comfortable family rooms, great food and service, ... …" Read Mr T’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs GfromBucks

Arrived 2 Feb 2020, 4 nights

"Hunters Country House"

"Unfortunately the weather was very damp during our stay. Our house in the grounds …" Read Mr & Mrs G’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

GrahamfromPurley

Arrived 18 Aug 2019, 3 nights

"Lovely country house on the garden route"

"stunning and highly maintained …" Read Graham’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

Mr & Mrs HfromManingtree

Arrived 14 Apr 2019, 3 nights

"Hunters Country House review"

"Wonderful grounds with excellent accommodation all round. …" Read Mr & Mrs H’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr D.T.RfromCorby

Arrived 19 Oct 2018, 5 nights

"Wonderful venue with lots to do around Plett"

"Wonderful venue ...Great restaurants on site. …" Read Mr D.T.R’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr G & Mrs CfromLondon

Arrived 17 Mar 2018, 3 nights

"Hunters Country House review"

"Fabulous, sizeable thatched cottages set in their own gardens. …" Read Mr G & Mrs C’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs CfromWestBridg

Arrived 28 Nov 2017, 3 nights

"Lovely stay at Hunters Country House"

"A lovely, characterful hotel in beautiful grounds …" Read Mr & Mrs C’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr W & Ms W + kidsfromNL

Arrived 17 Nov 2017, 3 nights

"Super stay in Hunters"

"This was one of the highlights of our trip. …" Read Mr W & Ms W + kids’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs BfromSuffolk

Arrived 11 Jan 2016, 3 nights

"Superb stay at Hunters"

"What a fantastic place! We loved it (despite one chilly afternoon and a wet …" Read Mr & Mrs B’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

See all Hunters Country House reviews

Trips visiting Hunters Country House

Just ideas, we'll always tailor-make a trip for you


Map

Cape Genet Self-drive Safari

20 days • 8 locations • 1 country
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO CAPE TOWN AIRPORT

Enjoy fine-dining in Cape Town, whale-watching in Hermanus, and a range of walking and water-based activities throughout De Hoop’s Nature Reserve, the Klein Karoo and Plettenberg. This relaxed self-driven safari concludes with stays in The Winelands and Namaqualand.

Visiting Cape Town, Hermanus and 5 other areas

US$3,730 - US$4,470 per person

Read more about the Cape Genet Self-drive Safari

Hunters Country House: Our full report

Set in a piece of heaven that you’d never know existed, Hunter's Country House lies along South Africa's ...

... Garden Route between the popular towns of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. Its extensive gardens, on a private estate, just off the N2 freeway, originally housed a homestead called Pear Tree Farm. The homestead became a B&B, then went on to open as one of the area's first luxury lodges.

It all began when Craig and Jill Hunter wanted to escape with their family from city life in Johannesburg. They came to the area on a business trip, and ended up buying the “beautiful thatched cottage” at Pear Tree Farm for their home in 1979. At that time, water had to be pumped from the river and electricity came from an old hand-cranked diesel generator.

A few years later, when their children had left home, the Hunters started a B&B, letting out rooms to visitors. Then, a decade further on, they scaled this up and in 1989, Hunter's Country House was born. One of Expert Africa’s team first visited Hunter's around 1995; he was impressed by its quality levels and as early as 1996 Hunter's Country House picked up South Africa's “Hotel of the Year" award. We continue to be impressed by it, including our last visit in July 2018.

Hunter's stands within a large, gated estate, which it shares with its smarter sister camp, Tsala Treetop Lodge, and Zinzi Restaurant, a top-notch, cutting edge yet relaxed restaurant. Around each of these are lawns, small lakes and landscaped gardens, and beyond lies the estate’s forest.

For guests at Hunter's Country House there are 23 thatched suites, in six different categories. All are individually decorated in soft neutral tones with lots of antique furniture, a small lounge area with a log fire (particularly welcome in winter), an en-suite bathroom with a separate bath and shower, and a private patio with tables and chairs in the gardens. Plus they come with the extras that you can expect from a five-star lodge, such as air conditioning, a stocked minibar, complimentary tea/coffee-making facilities, a hairdryer, television with satellite channels, digital safe and a telephone.

  • The Terrace Rooms are the lowest in cost, and are now used mostly for tour guides, or for very modest, solo travellers.

  • The Orchard Suites, in a block close to the pool area, have a slightly more contemporary feel than the other suites as they are not thatched.
  • The Garden Suites are much bigger and are more privately positioned along winding paths. They have thatched roofs with exposed beams, french doors and cottage pane windows looking out into the gardens.

  • The Family Suites have all the comforts of the Garden Suites but each of these has two spacious en-suite bedrooms.
  • The Pool Suites have a larger bedroom, a separate dressing room, a lounge and dining area, an outdoor shower and a private plunge pool outside. These rooms were looking a little dated in their style and décor, so Hunter’s plan to refurnish them in 2019.


  • Finally, the two-bedroom Family Pool Suite has the comforts and amenities of the Pool Suites, but as it is made up of two suites with interleading doors, it can be used as one self-contained house. Along with a lounge area, it boasts three dining areas, two fireplaces, a thatched gazebo and a private pool.
The main facilities in Hunter’s Manor House include several lounges with lots of thatch, exposed wooden beams, antique furniture, old paintings, comfortable sofas, a drinks cabinet, a small mezzanine library up in the rafters, and a very large fireplace, which forms a focal point during winter. Outside is their boma, effectively another lounge, with plenty of comfortable sofas and armchairs set on a semi-circular wooden deck under a sail-like tarpaulin. A log fire is built into the wall at the back, and the front is completely open, looking out towards the garden and a small firepit which adds to the atmosphere when it’s lit in the evening.

Excellent meals with superb service are taken in either the light and bright conservatory, or in the Manor House dining room, which comes into its own at dinner with white tablecloths, silver cutlery and cut-crystal glasses. On our most recent visit, in July 2018, the conservatory was undergoing a soft refurb with a fresh coat of paint, new tiles and furniture. There are also plans to open it as a bistro for light lunches and more relaxed evening meals.

Within Hunter’s Estate, perhaps 500m from the country house, is the smart, modern Zinzi Restaurant, which is open to guests from both Hunter’s and Tsala, as well as to the general public. Zinzi's executive chef offers a weekly changing à la carte menu of South African dishes mixed with international trends, including seasonal products. The setting, nestled among the trees with an expansive lawn out front, rolling down to a small lake, reminded us of the renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in Cape Town. And it offers a truly memorable dining experience.

Of course, a stay at Hunter’s is not all about the dining. Their swimming pool is close to the boma but has a separate, private garden with plenty of shaded sunloungers. There's no spa, but pampering treatments such as hot-stone massage, aromatherapy and reflexology, can be arranged in the privacy of your own suite.

Hunter’s is also particularly well set up for a family holiday, with a fantastic play area called Cub’s Corner for children up to six years old. It’s very well organised and sometimes supervised, with toys, games, a paddling pool, climbing frame with slide and a shaded sandpit.

On a different note, the beautiful Chapel in the Forest, built in 1997, is used for worship, christenings and weddings, as well as study groups.

Activities abound, both on the lodge's estate and in the nearby area around Plettenberg Bay. Within the lush gardens, the lodge's team can arrange romantic picnics, but there's also enough space – including forests and a lake or two – just to ramble for a few hours or to explore on one of their bicycles.

In the surrounding area, various companies offer horse riding or mountain biking through the forest and hills, or you can visit a variety of animal and bird sanctuaries.

And then there’s the coast, where different beaches await. At Keurbooms River and beach, for example, you can sail, surf and take boat trips or cruises aboard a catamaran in the lagoon. You can often spot dolphins, seals and whales from the beaches at Plettenberg Bay – though the best time for whale watching is from around June until December. Other activities in the area include a treetop canopy tour, bungee jumping and sky diving.

Geographics

Location
Plettenberg Bay | Garden Route, South Africa
Ideal length of stay
Typically 3–4 nights is ideal here, although you could easily spend longer as it’s a good spot to relax.
Directions
Hunter’s is just off the main N2, 10km from Plettenberg Bay and 22km from Knysna.
Accessible by
Self-drive

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Bed & Breakfast
Food quality
Hunter's Country House includes breakfast in your stay, but lunch and dinner are also served – and the food on our last stay in July 2018 was truly excellent. The chef will usually adapt very well to guests' dietary requirements.

The buffet breakfast, served in the conservatory, is extensive. Start with a choice of half a dozen cereals, with various seeds and flakes to add to the mix, and freshly cut fruit – raspberries, strawberries, grapes – then move on to cold meats, a selection of local cheeses, mini quiche, fresh scones and croissants, salmon and cream cheese. A full cooked breakfast ranges from traditional farm eggs and bacon, to eggs Benedict and omelets.

A light lunch with a small à la carte menu is usually served in the dining room or outside in the garden. Picnics are also available, but only on request.

Afternoon tea is served in the lounge at 4.00pm, for a small charge.

For most of the year, the dinner menu features a couple of choices of starter, three main courses and three desserts, but between December and February there is a full à la carte menu.

Expect starters like smoked venison carpaccio served with slow-roasted tomatoes, toasted cashew nuts, caramelised onions in a balsamic reduction, or cream of butternut soup with toasted ciabatta.

Main courses might include roast chicken breast with Mediterranean vegetables, olive tapenade and sun-dried tomatoes, or grilled line-fish served with roasted fenugreek and onion masala potatoes, pickled green beans and a spiced dressing.

Typical desserts are chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce, or strawberry shortcake with fresh berries, berry compote and Chantilly cream.

For children, there is the option of a different menu, usually incorporating beef, fish, chicken, pasta and vegetables.

Zinzi Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner at the weekend all year, but lunch during the week is only during the busier months. Food at this very trendy restaurant is of an exceptionally high standard – and the dinner we once had here was the best that one of our team had during her two-week trip around the Cape. You do need to pre-book a table though, especially in peak season!
Dining style
Individual Tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
Room service is available, from a separate dinner menu.
Drinks included
The water from the taps is safe to drink, but filtered bottled water is also readily available at an additional cost. All other drinks, including those from your minibar, are extra.

Special interests

Family holidays
For a family holiday in South Africa, the Country House on Hunter’s estate offers a very safe and relaxed environment. There’s an enormous amount of outdoor space, a first-class play area for younger children, and particularly good family rooms.
See ideas for Family holidays in South Africa

Children

Attitude towards children
Children are welcome at Hunter’s Country House.
Property’s age restrictions
There are no age restrictions.
Special activities & services
Cub's Corner at Hunter’s Country House is a designated area for children under six, with a small paddling pool, climbing frames, sandpit and the “Clubhouse”, filled with videos, books, toys and games, where children can watch videos, paint, draw and play games.
Equipment
The Family Suites have enough space for a single bed, and a sofa bed to accommodate two children, plus a cot for infants (on request). Highchairs are also available on request.

Hunter's can offers babysitting in the suites, usually by one of the housekeeping team, rather than a fully-qualified childminder – and note that you will need to book before noon. Costs in 2018 were very reasonable – around R100 per hour (£5.25/US$6).
Generally recommended for children
Yes

Communications

Communications
WiFi is available throughout the main area and in all the suites.

TV & radio
All the suites have a TV with a few satellite channels. There are no TVs in the main areas.
Water supply
Borehole
Water supply notes
The water is completely off the grid, and treated, tested on a daily basis and fresh.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
No
Medical care
A fully stocked first-aid kit is available and some of the staff are first-aid trained.



Quadbike warning: Quadbiking is sometimes available as an activity in this area. As with any potentially dangerous activity, it's vital that you take responsibility for ensuring that you have adequate travel insurance prior to getting involved. Be aware that some insurances cover quadbike activities only for bikes with lower engine ratings: check such clauses particularly carefully before you get on a bike.
Dangerous animals
Low Risk
Security measures
Hunter's Estate is gated and manned by security guards 24 hours a day.
Fire safety
There are fire extinguishers in all rooms.

Activities

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Boat trip

    Boat trip

  • Elephant encounter

    Elephant encounter

  • Fishing

    Fishing

  • Horse-riding

    Horse-riding

  • Kayaking

    Kayaking

Extras

Disabled access
On Request
Laundry facilities
Pressing, mending and laundry are available during the week, but not at weekends or on public holidays. The laundry is off the premises and the hotel takes no responsibility for loss or damage. Laundry is collected before 10.00am and returned the following day.
Money
Hunter’s Country House is not permitted to exchange foreign currency, but guests can however pay in a foreign currency.
Accepted payment on location
Hunter’s accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners and it's possible to add a commission fee onto the account for traveller's cheques of foreign currency.

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Hunters Country House's location

Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Hunters Country House.


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When to go to Plettenberg Bay | Garden Route

Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Hunters Country House in Plettenberg Bay | Garden Route


Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

South Africa in January

January is considered one of the best months to travel. In Cape Town the weather is hot and generally dry. The Garden Route is also excellent at this time of the year but has a more temperate climate, with slightly lower temperatures and rain can fall at any time of the year. In the Kgalagadi temperatures often top 40°C and short, sharp thunderstorms are also fairly frequent. Wildlife tends to disperse, although birding is excellent.

As this is the high season in the Cape there are numerous events, festivals and outdoor activities to attract visitors. Accommodation books up quickly and it may be necessary to book at least a year in advance. Reservations will often be needed for restaurants and visitor attractions too.

  • Hot, largely dry days with clear skies – except on Garden Route
  • Wildlife disperses in the Kalahari but birding excellent
  • Events, festivals and outdoor activities staged for the high season
  • The high season in the Cape, accommodation can cost up to 50% more
  • Pre-booking of activities & attractions is essential

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in January

South Africa in February

In February conditions are largely the same as in January, although temperatures can be slightly higher, especially in the interior. The wind in Cape Town starts to ease off. Although the Garden Route can experience some rain, the days are pleasantly warm and largely dry.

The Kgalagadi remains very hot, but the birding is still excellent. Wildlife viewing can be tricky especially if there has been some rain, as the resulting long grass can obscure the animals.

For visitors it’s still the high season, but with the local school holidays over and residents back at work, it is less busy than December and January. Accommodation costs remain high and it’s still advisable to pre-book certain activities and restaurants.

  • Hot, largely dry days with little cloud
  • Wind starts easing in Cape Town
  • Slightly less busy than December & January
  • Accommodation costs remain high, activities still best pre-booked

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in February

South Africa in March

March is still a very good time to visit. Conditions remain dry and very warm in Cape Town, although temperatures start dropping off towards the end of the month. The wind has usually died right down.

The Kalahari remains very hot and in years of good rains vegetation is at its most lush – making wildlife viewing tricky.

Typically, the crowds dwindle, but it can get very busy if Easter falls in March. It is also worth bearing in mind that during major events in March, including the Cape Town Cycle Tour, Cape Epic Mountain Bike Tour, The Cape Town Carnival and the International Jazz Festival, accommodation can get very full.

Attractions remain busy but booking is less essential.

  • Temperatures start falling towards the end of the month
  • Cape Town hosts a number of world class sport and cultural events
  • Wildlife in the Kgalagadi disperses, game viewing more challenging
  • Crowds diminish as the high season comes to an end
  • Accommodation can get busy during major events

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in March

South Africa in April

April is South Africa’s “shoulder” season and is often the most pleasant. Not too hot, not too cold, some rain but not masses. In Cape Town and along the Garden Route days are usually sunny, warm, windless and largely dry, although in Cape Town the chance of rain increases from the end of the month.

In the Kgalagadi the rainy season is typically over and migratory birds are starting to make their journey back up North. Vegetation remains lush but wildlife viewing starts picking up towards the end of the month.

The region is still relatively busy (especially of its still Easter) but it gets quieter towards the end of the month thus availability improves. Accommodation rates start to decrease, and it becomes less important to book restaurants and attractions in advance.

  • Temperatures still warm and very pleasant, with little wind.
  • Rain starts easing in the Kalahari and migratory birds start to depart
  • Less busy, especially towards the end of the month - busy over Easter
  • Accommodation frees up and prices start to come down

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in April

South Africa in May

May marks the start of the dry season in the Kgalagadi. Days are warm and dry with almost zero rainfall. Night-time/early-morning temperatures can drop towards 0°C. Wildlife viewing is at its peak as animals concentrate around the few remaining water sources.

Days can still be warm and sunny in Cape Town and on the Garden Route, but the weather becomes a lot more variable. May heralds the start of the rainy season in Cape Town and the winelands. Night-time temperatures rarely drop below 10 degrees in the coastal areas.

With far fewer tourists, accommodation prices are at their lowest. There is rarely any need to pre-book activities, but reservations are still advisable at some of the top restaurants.

  • Higher chance of rain in Cape Town & the Winelands
  • Day time temperatures drop significantly
  • Wildlife viewing peaks in the Kgalagadi
  • Low season so rarely busy & very few crowds
  • Low season rates at the hotels & lodges

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in May

South Africa in June

Winter is now in full swing. Maximum temperatures in Cape Town rarely reach 20°C and the rainy season is well under way. Outdoor activities therefore become limited, but a number of high-quality indoor events are organised.

The Garden Route has, in general milder weather and less rain than Cape Town.

June sees the arrival of the first whales which migrate to the South African coastline to give birth.

In the Kgalagadi, daytime temperatures are warm but nights and early mornings are bitterly cold. Wildlife viewing is excellent as animals are drawn to the few remaining permanent water points.

Overall tourist numbers are at their lowest, as are the costs of flights and accommodation.

  • Cold & wet weather in Cape Town, Kgalagadi warm days but cold at night
  • One of the best months for wildlife viewing in the Kgalagadi
  • Whales start arriving to have their calves
  • Low visitor numbers & no crowds
  • Accommodation & flight prices remain low

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in June

South Africa in July

The winter weather continues with very cold nights and early mornings in the Kgalagadi and virtually no rainfall. Vegetation here is really thinning out now and water even more scarce – so wildlife is easy to spot.

Despite the winter and local school holidays, Cape Town remains a great place to visit. On a wet and cold day, the Two Oceans Aquarium, Zeitz Mocca (art museum) and the Cape Town Comedy Club all make for great days out, as does a trip to the wine country or the annual Oyster Festival at Knysna.

By mid-July most of the whales have arrived to give birth. Hermanus is the best place to see them.

At the height of the low season, so accommodation and flight prices remain low.

  • Generally cold & wet in the Cape, but good quality indoor events
  • Very good wildlife viewing in the Kgalagadi
  • Oyster festival in Knysna
  • Local school holidays can make places a little busier than usual
  • Accommodation and flight prices remain low

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in July

South Africa in August

While August experiences mostly wintry weather it does mark the very beginning of spring with temperatures starting to rise. Visitors are drawn to the West Coast and Namaqualand to see the wildflowers, which start blooming in late August and can be seen until mid-September. Whales are still in abundance now too.

The Kgalagadi is now very dry and wildlife vieiwng is still good. Temperatures start climbing towards the end of the month.

Despite the weather , visitor numbers can be high as the northern hemisphere schools close for their summer holidays. It may be a good idea to book certain attractions and restaurants in advance.

Simlarly, although accommodation prices are still low, flight prices can be a little higher than in previous months.

  • Temperatures start rising – but still potential for cold & wet weather
  • Wildflowers on the West Coast & in Namaqualand
  • Good wildlife viewing in the Kgalagadi
  • Whales continue to attract visitors
  • Can get busy due to northern hemisphere school summer holidays

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in August

South Africa in September

Good wildlife viewing in the Kgalagadi continues and daytime temperatures increase quite dramatically. Mornings and evenings are still on the chilly side, but not as cold as they are in June, July and August.

The 1st of September is officially the start of spring in Cape Town. Days become warmer but not quite warm enough to enjoy the city’s beautiful beaches. Venues all over Cape Town play host to various artists during the Cape Town Fringe Festival.
Rainy days are fewer, but night times can still get chilly. Many hotels are still charging low season rates making September great value for money.

Elsewhere, Hermanus hosts the popular annual Whale Festival, and in the West of the Cape, wildflowers continue to bloom until the middle of the month.

  • The start of spring; temperatures start rising
  • Whale festival in Hermanus
  • Cape Town Fringe Ferstival attracts a wide range of artists
  • Wildflowers blooming well until the middle of the month
  • Good wildlife viewing continues in the Kgalagadi

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in September

South Africa in October

The weather starts warming up nicely, Cape Town experiences pleasant days, with much less rain, nights can still be quite cool, but not cold. Some days are now warm enough to enjoy the beach. This is one of the best months to visit the Cape Region.

October is one of the hottest months in the Kalahari. Water remains very scarce, so the wildlife viewing is still very good. Towards the end of the month the odd spectacular thunderstorm is possible with much lightning and thunder. Migratory birds start to arrive, and resident species gear up for the breeding season.

The whales are still present with Hermanus and False Bay the best places to see them.

  • Days start warming up; fewer rainy days in Cape Town
  • Very hot in the Kalahari – thunderstorms season starts
  • Migratory birds start arriving & resident birds start breeding
  • Whale watching still excellent in Hermanus and False Bay areas
  • Start of the high season, getting busy and accommodation prices rise

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in October

South Africa in November

By November Cape Town is experiencing summer conditions with hot, clear days and warm, pleasant evenings. It’s a great month to enjoy the beaches before the peak holiday season in December. There are no real downsides to visiting in November and you may even get a few accommodation specials before prices go up for the festive season. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens begins their summer outdoor concerts with local and international artists performing.

The Kgalagadi remains hot but thunderstorms are a bit more regular. With the rains, water sources become more plentiful and wildlife disperses but this is when herbivores such as Springbok start lambing. Photography improves as conditions become less hazy.

This is the last month for regular whale sightings – they tend to migrate back down south by early December.

  • Summer now in full swing, with temperatures often reaching 30°C
  • Rainy days scarce; evenings warm & very pleasant
  • Antelope start lambing in the Kgalagadi; wildlife generally dispersed
  • Last month for regular whale sightings
  • Good time to visit Cape Town before the peak holiday season

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in November

South Africa in December

December is usually Cape Town’s hottest month when temperatures frequently breach 30°C. You can expect hot and cloudless days, and almost no rain but December does see the occasional very windy day.

The Kalahari is still hot, but temperatures are not quite as high as previous months. With the rainfall the bush transforms into various shades of green. Wildlife disperses as water become more widely available.

The Garden Route enjoys warm to hot days with rain at any time but usually not over an extended period.

Mid to late December becomes incredibly busy with concerts, festivals and various outdoor activities in Cape Town. Hotel prices rise, tourist attractions and beaches are crowded and most popular sites and restaurants need to be booked in advance.

  • Long, hot sunny days
  • Kgalagadi bursts into life as rainy season kicks in
  • Wildlife viewing a bit trickier as wildlife disperses
  • Cape Town buzzing with concerts, events, festivals etc
  • Peak season: attractions get very busy & accommodation costs rise

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in December

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