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South Africa is one of the most popular destinations for international travellers, largely thanks to its incredible natural beauty. Here, you can experience Cape Town’s Mediterranean climate, hundreds of beautiful beaches, breathtaking safaris, and our world-renowned cultural diversity.
But that’s not the only reason South Africa is so highly regarded by international travellers. Our cost of living is relatively low, especially compared to developed countries, and those with stronger currencies can get a lot more value for money here than they would in Europe, East Asia, or North America.
Your first expense will be your aeroplane ticket, so with that in mind, what is the cheapest month to fly to South Africa? Read on to find out.
Photo: Getty
South Africa is a year-round tourist destination, but the summer period between November and February is undoubtedly the most popular time to visit. Up north, summer rains make things lush and green, while in the south, Cape Town experiences a dry Mediterranean-like summer with perfect beach days and late sunsets.
The winter months between April and September offer a cooler climate. The northern regions dry up, making for better game viewing in places like Kruger National Park, while the southern areas burst into life with the winter rains. In September, much of the Western Cape and Northern Cape explodes with wildflowers in all kinds of colours and temperatures start to rise once more.
That means no matter when you visit South Africa, you’re guaranteed an epic experience. So when should you fly? It all depends on what you want to see and how much you’re willing to spend.
Photo: Getty
It goes without saying that the cheapest month to fly to South Africa falls within the winter months: May to September. This is when the Northern Hemisphere is experiencing its summer, meaning fewer international travellers coming southward. As a result, there’s less demand for flights, bringing peak prices down substantially.
For example, if you use a tool like Skyscanner to search for flights from New York City, USA to Cape Town in December 2024, economy prices range from R34,000 return to R57,000 return. If you opt for May 2025 in stead, you’ll pay as little as R19,000. That’s a difference of nearly 50%!
However, as of October 2024, September 2025 will be the cheapest time to make this trip in the coming year. This will vary depending on your departure point, but here’s the bottom line: securing the best prices isn’t just about flying outside of the peak season – it’s also about booking well in advance!
You should also try to avoid holidays like Easter and Christmas. Go one step further and familiarise yourself with South African public holidays and school vacations to dodge these peak periods entirely.
Photo: Getty
It’s simple: the sooner the better! According to Travel + Leisure, the best time to book for peak season is during the opposite season, roughly six months in advance. However, if you can plan further ahead, you should start searching for flights up to a year before your trip.
Some experts also talk about the “Goldilocks Zone” – between three to seven months ahead for domestic flights and between four to 10 months ahead for international travel. Furthermore, according to Expedia’s 2024 Air Travel Hacks Report, Sunday is the cheapest day of the week on average to book flights, while Friday is the most expensive.
Whichever platform you use to search for flights, make sure you set up alerts to notify you when prices drop. That way, you can even book a cheap flight well in advance and cancel it if you find something more affordable. You might have to pay more for a flexible ticket, but in many cases, it’s worth it.
Photo: Getty
So, now that you know that winter is the cheapest time to travel to South Africa, what are you actually going to do during your trip? The sky’s the limit – one of the best things about our country is that is offers so much, so you can pick and choose your itinerary to match your interests.
As mentioned, it’s the best time of year for safaris. As the bush dries out, it gets thinner, making it easier to spot wildlife in South Africa’s epic national parks and private game reserves – so epic, in fact, that safari travellers voted 10 South African parks into the 2024 SafariBookings.com Top 50 Safari Destinations in Africa rankings.
Cape Town is cold and wet in winter, but there’s more to the Mother City than beaches. As winter subsides, the Cape Floristic Kingdom blossoms into life, painting the Western Cape all kinds of colours. This is the best time to go see wildflowers on the West Coast.
Back north, in Johannesburg, all-day sunshine makes up for bitterly cold evenings, while in Durban, the rain doesn’t stop people from enjoying the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean.
Photo: Getty
So, if you want to save money flying to South Africa, travel in our winter months and book well in advance. The same goes for car rental and accommodation. In fact, our Sales Manager, Ellena van Tonder, estimates that you can save up to 40% of vehicle rental costs if you book six to 12 months in advance. Once you’ve booked your flight to South Africa, use our handy booking tool to search for your ideal vehicle, whether it’s a hatchback, SUV, luxury car, or camping-equipped 4×4. Safe travels and good luck finding those low prices!