SeasonMapSouth Africa in October
October is one of South Africa's best months (rank 2 of 12): its 12 destinations average 85/100, led by Cape Town at 94 — 23°C and 4 rainy days — while Kruger National Park is warmer at 30°C and scores 78.
#2 of 12 months for South Africa · 12 destinations · updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Where in South Africa in October
| # | Place | Type | Feels-like high | Rain | Comfort | At its best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cape Town | City | 23°C | 18 mm · 4 days | 94 tier S | Yes |
| 2 | Stellenbosch | City | 25°C | 34 mm · 5 days | 93 tier S | Yes |
| 3 | Johannesburg | City | 26°C | 61 mm · 9 days | 86 tier A | — |
| 4 | Pretoria | City | 29°C | 51 mm · 7 days | 86 tier A | — |
| 5 | Drakensberg | Trekking hub | 25°C | 71 mm · 12 days | 85 tier A | — |
| 6 | Jeffreys Bay | Beach | 20°C | 41 mm · 8 days | 83 tier A | — |
| 7 | Port Elizabeth | Beach | 22°C | 40 mm · 7 days | 83 tier A | — |
| 8 | Durban | Beach | 26°C | 97 mm · 13 days | 82 tier A | — |
| 9 | Hermanus | Beach | 23°C | 40 mm · 7 days | 82 tier A | — |
| 10 | Knysna | Beach | 21°C | 47 mm · 8 days | 81 tier A | — |
| 11 | Plettenberg Bay | Beach | 20°C | 44 mm · 9 days | 81 tier A | — |
| 12 | Kruger National Park | National park | 30°C | 31 mm · 6 days | 78 tier B | — |
Comfort is SeasonMap's 0–100 score; each place is judged through the lens that suits it — beaches on beach weather, ski resorts on snow. "At its best" means October is one of that place's own top three months. Feels-like highs fold in humidity, wind and sun.
What's on in South Africa in October
- Southern right whales · Cape Town and 2 more places · 1 Jun – 30 Nov (usually)
- Hermanus Whale Festival · Cape Town and 1 more place · 2–4 Oct
- Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees · Stellenbosch · 3–11 Oct
- Jacarandas in the northern suburbs · Johannesburg · 1 Oct – 10 Nov (usually)
- Johannesburg Pride · Johannesburg · 31 Oct
- Jacaranda season · Pretoria · 25 Sep – 10 Nov (usually)
- Whales in Algoa Bay · Port Elizabeth · 1 Jun – 30 Nov (usually)
- Humpback migration · Durban · 1 Jun – 30 Nov
Seasons in force
Peak crowds at 4 of South Africa's 10 well-known places this month.