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Johannesburg & Beyond

Johannesburg is one of the most vibrant of Africa’s bustling cities. Many visiting the city do so for a couple of days, enjoying rooftop bars, the restaurants and to soak up South Africa’s past, before heading out to the surrounding game reserves.

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What you’ll love most about Johannesburg & beyond

  • Spending a few days in Johannesburg will afford you time to explore the markets and shopping malls, the Apartheid and Mandela Museums and Constitution Hill
  • Johannesburg has lively nightlife hotspots spread throughout the city. You’ll find a wide choice of hipster bars and dance clubs here. Most of the best rooftop bars you’ll find in the Sandton district
  • Pretoria is less than an hour’s drive – or 35 minute train ride from Johannesburg. The city is worth a visit while en-route north to one of the game reserves, especially for large parks and gardens
  • There are so many game reserves within four hours or so from Johannesburg. If you’re heading to the region for a safari, you’ll find Madikwe, Pilanesberg, Welgevonden, Mabula and Dinokeng Game Reserves just a car journey away, with the latter closest – just 30 minutes north of Pretoria and around an hour from Johannesburg
  • Why not combine exploring Johannesburg and its surrounding safari reserves with a stay in coastal Cape Town, providing you with the opportunity to see Hermanus, delightful vineyards and to follow the Garden Route. A flight from Jo’burg to Cape Town takes just a couple of hours
  • If you’re the adventurous type, you could make the journey from Johannesburg to Cape Town by road and build your own epic itinerary to take in Drakensburg, KwaZulu-Natal and the rugged Coffee Bay, the beaches of Chintsa and Addo Elephant Park near Port Elizabeth
  • Family of elephants in Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa

  • Zebra at Mziki Private Game Reserve

  • View from Union Buildings Park of Pretoria Downtown

  • Waterfall at Walter Sissulu Botanical Garden, Johannesburg

  • Weaver bird busy building its nest in Dinokeng Game Reserve

  • Giraffe in Mabula Game Reserve, South Africa

  • Street in Pretoria lined with jacaranda trees

  • Pearl-spotted owlet in Welgevonden Game Reserve, South Africa

  • Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, South Africa

  • Johannesburg skyline

Average temperature

Information below is based on average highest temperature for each month.

  • 26℃
  • 26℃
  • 24℃
  • 21℃
  • 20℃
  • 17℃
  • 17℃
  • 20℃
  • 24℃
  • 25℃
  • 25℃
  • 26℃
  • 11
  • 8
  • 9
  • 5
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 7
  • 10
  • 10

Information above is based on the average number of days which experience some form of rainfall for each month.

Rainfall

When to Visit

Below gives you information and a rating of the best time of year to visit.

January

The year kicks off with sunshine and showers. Johannesburg is at its greenest, thanks to dramatic afternoon thunderstorms that sweep across the city. Open-air bars, rooftop lounges, and botanical gardens thrive in the warmth, making it a great time for urban picnics and day trips to the Cradle of Humankind.

February

Late summer is in full swing. The city stays hot and lush, but with slightly less rain than January. Festivals and night markets are popular, and it’s an excellent time for exploring vibrant precincts like Maboneng and Braamfontein when the weather behaves.

March

With mellow temperatures around 25–27°C, March is ideal for sightseeing, outdoor cafés, and exploring Johannesburg’s public art. There’s less rainfall, and the golden late-summer light gives the city a photogenic glow. It’s a great time to squeeze in a short safari nearby.

April

This month marks the beginning of autumn. Parks turn russet and gold, and the days are sunny but cooler. Ideal for heritage tours of Constitution Hill or browsing weekend craft markets in leafy suburbs like Parkhurst and Melville.

May

May brings crisp mornings and bright days, perfect for hiking in the Magaliesberg or enjoying the city’s botanical gardens. While temperatures drop, the air is dry and skies remain clear - a classic Johannesburg autumn feel.

June

Winter settles in. Though daytime highs reach around 16-17°C, mornings and evenings can be chilly. With no humidity or rainfall, June is a great time for wildlife spotting in nearby reserves, as animals cluster around water sources and the landscape opens up.

July

In July, Johannesburg sees its coldest nights, often dipping below 5°C, but clear skies persist. Cosy cafés and indoor cultural spaces like the Apartheid Museum make for snug, enlightening retreats. It’s also a quieter month, perfect for those who prefer fewer crowds.

August

Windy and dry, August bridges winter and spring. Jacaranda trees begin to bud, teasing the purple bloom ahead. With longer, slightly warmer days, outdoor markets and hikes regain popularity.

September

Come September, the jacarandas begin their vibrant show, blanketing parts of the city in purple. Temperatures climb into the low 20s, and the whole city feels like it’s waking up from its winter slumber. It's a great month for photo walks and garden visits.

October

Often considered one of the most beautiful times to visit, October combines warm days (often mid-20s) with the full bloom of jacarandas. Light rains return, but they rarely disrupt plans. Rooftop brunches, open-air concerts, and urban walks are a must.

November

Rainfall becomes more frequent, bringing a lush freshness to Johannesburg’s urban green spaces. Though technically still spring, November feels like early summer - with vibrant neighbourhood energy, music events, and more time spent outdoors.

December

Locals begin their holiday migrations, and the city takes on a more relaxed pace. Expect summer highs reaching the upper 20s, with dramatic afternoon rainstorms that sweep in and out. Explore uncrowded galleries, sip cocktails at sunset, or enjoy peaceful walks in parks like Emmarentia or Delta Park.

Our Ratings

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Where to book


Explore is a global adventure travel company with 40 years’ experience in providing exciting and authentic travel experiences. With over 350 trips in around 100 countries, Explore’s expertly crafted itineraries combined with award-winning tour leaders, small group sizes and a commitment to responsible travel ensure unforgettable travel experiences in extraordinary destinations.

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Hotels

  • Best of the Best
  • Life of Luxury
  • Unique & Fabulous
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4* One O Eight Place

OneOEight Place brings out the best of sustainable luxury with each of its seven luxury suites is elegantly styled and fitted with lavish amenities to indulge any discerning traveller’s senses. It’s an ideal retreat for couples and birdwatching enthusiasts. Among the many open-plan terraces, OneOEight Place includes a private terrace overlooking the majestic Korsman Bird Sanctuary that can be reserved for private dinners. Personalised service marks its style.

Our Rating: Unique & Fabulous

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5* Fairlawns Hotel & Spa

Set among lush acres of landscaped gardens you’ll find Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa, an urban sanctuary right in the heart of Johannesburg. With close attention to detail and exceptional service, Fairlawns creates an intimate atmosphere where some of the globe’s most vibrant personalities converge. The chic, upscale suites are individually decorated in varying themes ranging from Eastern influence to French provincial, each featuring every desired modern amenity. The hotel also caters to a variety of culinary tastes with an array of elegant dining experiences to choose from.

Our Rating: Best of the Best

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5* Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa

Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa is a luxurious, five-star private safari lodge and villa situated within the malaria-free Welgevonden Game Reserve in the Waterberg District of the Limpopo Province in South Africa. In an under three-hour drive or a one hour flight from Johannesburg, you can escape into this ideal safari destination to experience the magic of the Big 5 at home here in the African bush.

Our Rating: Best of the Best

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5* Walkersons Hotel & Spa

The rolling highland hills surround this stately country hotel, a short 10km scenic drive from Dullstroom. Superb rainbow trout fishing, horse riding, panoramic walks, a treatment at the wellness centre are amongst some of the activities available to discerning guests. Each meal is a carefully crafted journey of the senses and is presented in the dining room or out on the patio. Luxurious suites warmed by log fires feature an array of facilities before settling down for a peaceful nights rest.

Our Rating: Best of the Best

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