How difficult is it to find accommodation in South Africa in December / January?
I plan to travel to South-Africa at the end of the year (last week of December, first Week of January). I plan to spend more or less two weeks there. My understanding is that this period is really high season. Hence I wonder how difficult it will be to find an accommodation at that period? Are there places that are advised or disadvised?
Best Answer
Like anywhere in the world, being somewhere at high season may always put a strain on accommodation.
Most important is the game parks - if you're going to Kruger or similar, BOOK IT NOW. As soon as possible. With other cities or towns you can almost always find something, and depending what type of traveller you are, could even rough it in a vehicle or camp. However, you absolutely cannot stay outside of the special camps in Kruger and most game parks, so you'll need to book that now. I recommend Pretoriuskop rest camp in Kruger - it's easy to get to, and has a lot of drives with plenty of water holes nearby, very well located and reasonably priced.
Otherwise it's just like anywhere else - book ahead of schedule. I did a big trip in 2005, among other times I've been there, and we booked guest houses 1-2 weeks ahead - in March/April, and had little problem finding places.
Oh, also the mountains - any places in the Drakensberg, you'll want to book ahead of schedule too, as they have limited spaces. I recommend any of Giant's Castle, Dragon's Peak or White Mountain - all have beautiful walks and amazing scenery.
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Is January a good time to visit South Africa?
January sees hot and dry weather in the Cape, making it an excellent time of year for trips to Cape Town and the Garden Route. The Kruger and KwaZulu-Natal also have high temperatures, but sunny periods are interspersed with tropical rainstorms.Is December a good time to visit Cape Town?
Best Time to Go to Cape Town. Cape Town enjoys a temperate climate with warm, dry conditions from October to April. Temperatures peak between December and February, which is the most popular time for a Cape Town beach holiday. Expect busy beaches, a vibrant nightlife and gloriously sunny festive cheer.How is South Africa in December?
Weather in South Africa in December In December, areas like Kruger National Park in the North-East have an average maximum temperature of 32\xb0C (89.6\xb0F). In Johannesburg and Cape Town, temperatures range between 14\xb0C (57.2\xb0F) to 26\xb0C (78.8\xb0F). This is the summer season in South Africa.What time of year is best for safari in South Africa?
The drier winter months (about May to October) are the best time for game viewing on a South Africa safari in the Kruger, Madikwe, Pilanesberg and KwaZulu-Natal. Animals are concentrated around water sources and are easier to spot in the thinned-out vegetation.Perfect apartment in 2021 | Student housing | Best Student Accommodations in South Africa
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