South Africa in April

April weather, activities, events & insider tips

April Weather in South Africa

27°C (81°F) High Temp

10°C (50°F) Low Temp

51mm (2.0 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is April Right for You?

Advantages

Perfect autumn weather for wildlife viewing - animals gather at water sources as dry season begins, making Big Five sightings 40% more likely than summer months
Ideal hiking conditions with temperatures rarely exceeding 27°C (81°F) - perfect for Table Mountain, Drakensberg, and South Africa trails without summer heat exhaustion
Shoulder season pricing saves 25-35% on accommodations compared to peak December-January, while avoiding winter's limited daylight hours
Wine harvest season in Western Cape - participate in actual harvest activities at estates, with tastings of fresh grape juice alongside previous vintages

Considerations

Unpredictable rain showers can disrupt outdoor plans - April sees 10 rainy days with sudden afternoon downpours lasting 30-45 minutes
Cooler evenings require layered clothing - temperature drops 15-17°C (27-31°F) from day to night, catching many visitors unprepared
Some coastal activities like shark cage diving face rougher seas as winter swells begin affecting Western Cape waters

Best Activities in April

Kruger National Park Safari Tours

April marks the beginning of dry season when animals concentrate around remaining water sources, dramatically improving wildlife viewing success rates. Cooler 22-27°C (72-81°F) temperatures make early morning and late afternoon game drives comfortable without summer's oppressive heat. Vegetation starts thinning, reducing cover where animals can hide.

Booking Tip: Book safari accommodations 8-12 weeks ahead as April is peak game viewing season. Self-drive options cost R350-450 ($19-25) daily park fees, while guided tours range R2,500-4,500 ($135-245) per person daily. Choose morning drives (5:30am-9:30am) for best animal activity. See current safari packages in booking section below.

Table Mountain Hiking Adventures

Perfect hiking weather with mild 20-25°C (68-77°F) daytime temperatures and minimal summer winds. April's lower humidity makes the 2-3 hour ascent via Platteklip Gorge manageable for average fitness levels. Clear autumn air provides spectacular views over South Africa, and you'll avoid December-February's dangerous fire season.

Booking Tip: Cable car operates weather permitting (closed during rain/high winds). Tickets cost R395-450 ($21-24) return. Guided hiking tours typically R800-1,200 ($43-65) including transport. Book cable car tickets online to skip 1-2 hour queues. Check current hiking guides and cable car tickets in booking section below.

Garden Route Coastal Drives

April delivers ideal road trip conditions along the N2 coastal route - comfortable temperatures for driving, fewer holiday crowds, and migrating whales visible from cliff viewpoints. The 300km (186 miles) from Mossel Bay to Storms River features perfect weather for outdoor activities like Tsitsikamma canopy walks and South Africa lagoon cruises.

Booking Tip: Self-drive car rentals cost R450-750 ($24-40) daily for compact cars. Multi-day tours typically R3,500-5,500 ($190-300) per person including accommodation. Book Storms River zip-lining and tree canopy experiences 1-2 weeks ahead. Current South Africa tour packages available in booking section below.

Stellenbosch Wine Estate Harvest Tours

April is harvest month (harvest festival runs early to mid-April) when you can participate in actual grape picking and crushing alongside workers. Estates offer special harvest experiences unavailable other times of year, combining traditional tastings with fresh grape juice sampling. Mild 23-26°C (73-79°F) weather perfect for cycling between estates.

Booking Tip: Harvest experiences cost R300-650 ($16-35) per person including tastings. Wine tram day passes R250-350 ($13-19). Book harvest activities 2-3 weeks ahead as spots are limited to actual harvest dates. Bicycle rentals R200-300 ($11-16) daily. See current wine tour options in booking section below.

Drakensberg Hiking Expeditions

April offers perfect mountain hiking conditions before winter's harsh weather arrives. Temperatures stay comfortable at 18-23°C (64-73°F) during day, ideal for challenging hikes like Tugela Falls (3-4 hours return) or easier Cathedral Peak base walks. Clear autumn air provides impressive views of the escarpment.

Booking Tip: Guided day hikes cost R800-1,500 ($43-81) per person including transport from accommodation. Multi-day hiking permits R50-80 ($3-4) per person daily. Book mountain hut accommodation 6-8 weeks ahead for weekend trips. Weather can change rapidly above 2,000m (6,562 ft). Current Drakensberg tour options in booking section below.

Cape Peninsula Coastal Tours

April's mild weather and clearer skies make the full peninsula circuit ideal - from Cape Point to Boulder Beach penguin colony. Comfortable temperatures for walking along cliff paths, and penguin viewing is excellent as birds are active in cooler weather. Chapman's Peak Drive offers spectacular autumn light for photography.

Booking Tip: Full day peninsula tours cost R1,200-1,800 ($65-97) per person including transport and entrance fees. Cape Point entrance R85-120 ($5-6) per person. Boulder Beach penguin viewing R152 ($8) adults. Self-drive fuel costs approximately R400-600 ($21-32) for full circuit. Current Cape Peninsula tours in booking section below.

April Events & Festivals

Early to Mid April

Stellenbosch Wine Harvest Festival

Participate in actual grape harvest alongside workers, then enjoy harvest feasts and new wine tastings. Multiple estates host harvest experiences where visitors can stomp grapes and learn traditional winemaking methods while sampling fresh grape juice.

Late April

Hermanus Whale Festival

Southern right whales reach peak numbers in Walker Bay during April migration. The town celebrates with whale watching boat trips, cliff-top viewing points, and marine conservation talks. Land-based whale watching is excellent from cliff paths.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight fleece or wool sweater - temperatures drop from 27°C to 10°C (81°F to 50°F) evening to morning, requiring warm layers

Waterproof hiking boots - April's 51mm (2.0 inches) rainfall creates muddy trail conditions, especially in mountain regions

Packable rain jacket - afternoon showers arrive suddenly and last 30-45 minutes, but clear quickly

SPF 50+ sunscreen - UV index reaches 6 even on overcast days, and high altitude areas intensify exposure

Warm sleeping clothes - mountain lodges and camps can drop to 5°C (41°F) at night without heating

Binoculars 8x32 or 10x42 - essential for wildlife viewing as animals stay further from vehicles in dry season

Layering system of cotton t-shirts and long-sleeve shirts - temperature swings require easy adjustment throughout day

Comfortable walking shoes with good grip - wet rocks and boardwalks become slippery during April showers

Small daypack 20-30L capacity - perfect for carrying layers and rain protection during day trips

Insect repellent with DEET - mosquitoes remain active in humid 70% conditions despite cooler temperatures

Insider Knowledge

Book Kruger accommodation by January for April visits - rest camps fill completely as local knowledge spreads about optimal game viewing conditions when dry season begins

Visit wine estates mid-week during harvest - weekend crowds triple, and harvest workers focus on grape collection rather than tourist experiences on Saturdays

Start Table Mountain hikes before 8am - afternoon clouds roll in by 2pm during April, obscuring views and potentially closing cable car

Carry cash for small towns along South Africa - many restaurants and fuel stations still don't accept international cards, and ATMs frequently run empty during Easter holidays

Avoid These Mistakes

Packing only summer clothes - visitors assume 'warm Africa' means hot weather, but April evenings require jackets and long pants, especially in mountain areas

Booking South Africa accommodation far from city center to save money - April's unpredictable weather makes daily transport to attractions expensive when rain disrupts plans

Planning safari activities only in afternoon - animals are most active during cool morning hours, and midday April heat still reduces wildlife movement significantly