June marks the beginning of winter in South Africa, offering a diverse range of experiences depending on your destination. From game viewing in the northern parks to whale watching along the Cape coast, June provides a unique opportunity to explore the country's varied landscapes and attractions.
Weather Overview
South Africa in June generally offers mild to warm weather with very little rainfall, making it a great time to visit various attractions both indoors and outdoors.
- Cape Town and Western Cape: Cape weather in June is unpredictable, with temperatures struggling to reach the mid-60s°F and plenty of rains. June is the rainiest month in Western Cape.
- Johannesburg and Northern Game Parks: Johannesburg and the northern game parks receive almost no rainfall in June. However, frosty nights and cold mornings can surprise visitors to the high veld!
Wherever you travel, this is a season to pack some warm clothing, especially for early morning and evening game drives.
Cape Town Weather Details in June
Here's a detailed look at the weather conditions in Cape Town during June:
- Temperature: Daily high temperatures are around 64°F, rarely falling below 57°F or exceeding 72°F. Daily low temperatures decrease by 2°F, from 50°F to 48°F, rarely falling below 41°F or exceeding 56°F.
- Cloud Cover: The month of June in Cape Town experiences essentially constant cloud cover, with the percentage of time that the sky is overcast or mostly cloudy remaining about 42% throughout the month. The clearest day of the month is June 19, with clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy conditions 60% of the time.
- Rainfall: The chance of a wet day over the course of June is essentially constant, remaining around 26% throughout. The average sliding 31-day rainfall during June in Cape Town is gradually increasing, starting the month at 2.6 inches and ending the month at 2.9 inches.
- Daylight: Over the course of June in Cape Town, the length of the day is essentially constant. The shortest day of the month is June 21, with 9 hours, 54 minutes of daylight and the longest day is June 1, with 10 hours, 2 minutes of daylight.
- Wind: The average hourly wind speed in Cape Town is essentially constant during June, remaining within 0.2 miles per hour of 11.2 miles per hour throughout. The hourly average wind direction in Cape Town throughout June is predominantly from the north, with a peak proportion of 35% on June 27.
- Water Temperature: The average surface water temperature in Cape Town is essentially constant during June, remaining within 1°F of 60°F throughout.
Ideal Destinations and Activities in June
June is a prime month for game-viewing due to the thinned deciduous foliage and animals congregating around waterholes. Here are some top destinations and activities:
Read also: South Africa Weather Guide
1. Kruger National Park
There's no doubt June is considered one of the prime months for game-viewing. The deciduous foliage has thinned out completely, and wildlife spotting is at its best as animals congregate around the waterholes. Kruger National Park and adjoining game parks can be crowded during the late-June mid-winter school holiday. Plan a visit in early June, or consider some of the lesser-known reserves further afield.
2. Tswalu Kalahari and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Consider some of the lesser-known reserves further afield, such as Tswalu Kalahari and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, famous for their black-maned lions. The sunny days are warm, but temperatures can plunge below freezing at night.
3. Hermanus for Whale Watching
June marks the start of the whale migration along the Cape coast, reason enough to head to Hermanus to watch the whales' arrival. However, once the winter school break begins after mid-June, expect the roads and seaside towns to be busy with local families making the most of whale-watching season.
Whale Watching in South Africa - Southern Right Charters
4. Garden Route and Wild Coast
Anticipate the chance of wet and cold winter weather along the coastal Garden Route. June likely won't be the ideal time to drive the Garden Route, but the Wild Coast beckons with milder weather north of Port Elizabeth. Combine this stunning swatch of the Indian Ocean coastline with a drive inland to the small university city of Makhanda to indulge in all the fun of the National Arts Festival.
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5. Leopard Creek Golf Course
South Africa boasts some of the world's top golf courses, and June is a perfect time to tee off at Leopard Creek, on the southern border of Kruger National Park. Laid out along the Crocodile River, this signature course has hosted some of South Africa's top golf competitions. Where else will you see hippos wallowing in the water hazards or giraffes strutting across the greens?
Cultural Events in June
- National Arts Festival, Makhanda (Grahamstown): Eastern Cape hosts South Africa's largest arts festival, featuring genres from art to fringe theater. Performances take place in dozens of venues across town. Spanning 11 days and the gamut of arts, it guarantees to enthrall. It attracts more than 200,000 visitors, so make your reservations early.
- Soweto International Jazz Festival, Johannesburg: Each mid-June, the Johannesburg suburb of Soweto resounds to four days of jazz and other musical sounds.
- Winter Wonderland Festival, Gordon's Bay: Held over two weekends in June, this decade-old festival is a great place to take kids.
Travel Tips for June
June is not within South Africa's peak tourist season, meaning that the costs are generally lower for transportation and accommodation. Consider these travel options:
- Classic South Africa: Kruger Safari, Lodge & Treehouse - 6 Days
- Explore South Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Safari & Beach - 11 Days
June 16 is Youth Day throughout South Africa every year, celebrating the contribution that young people made in South Africa's struggle for freedom. On this day in 1976, school-age children marched in a protest that began the Soweto Uprising, which contributed to the struggle against apartheid.
What to Wear
With temperatures ranging between cool to warm in June, what you wear will depend on where you are visiting and what you are doing during your time in South Africa.
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