South Africa in July

[Applejack87]

Hi my husband is in the middle of researching a safari holiday in SA for two weeks in July
I’m concerned about the weather will it be chilly ?

We want in July. Not chilly. Jeans and t-shirt t rather than shorts though.

It's the best time to visit game reserves because it's not too hot and there's less vegetation so easier to see the game. Probably chilly nights, warm days.

We have been to Sabi Sands and Hluhluwe Imfolizi in July. It’s bloody freezing early in the morning when you go out for game drives. Open vehicles with the cold chilling you to the bone. However it’s absolutely fantastic!

Take a puffa jacket, a fleece and layers - just a fleece just isn’t enough. We wrapped ourselves in blankets from the lodge and also take warm gloves and a pull over the ears hat. We didn’t take puffa jackets but we needed them! Peel off as it warms up. It will. It’s not overly cold at night because the lodges are snug and have fires.

We saw our best ever rhino sightings in HI and the leopards at Sabi Sands are easy to
find. With more time I would have gone to Kruger as well. There is no reason not to go in July. Prices are far better and, as long as you are not bothered about swimming pools, the animal viewing is wonderful. It’s not likely to rain either.

We went in the school holidays a few years ago. Hired a car and drive from Johannesburg down to Cape Town. Visited Kruger, ostrich farm, Winelands etc.
As pps have said it's the best time to see the animals although very chilly at night. People thought we were mad because we were the only ones in the swimming pool at the different hotels we stayed at. Mad Brits!

Check when whale season is. We saw them at hermanus in July.

July is a bit early. August, Sept, Oct are high season for whales! The viewing of them from the coastal path is outstanding though. We watched a female and calf for two hours right outside our guest house. They were visited by other whales as the calf frolicked with mum. Unforgettable!