Best time to visit

Image (c) Talisen

With one of the best climates in the world, Gauteng is a prime destination all year round. Come summer or winter, the province generally experiences sunny, windless days that are the perfect springboard for showcasing the pulse of South Africa’s economic hub.

In summer there are often short-lived, late afternoon storms; in the rain-free months of winter the nights are chilly but the days are usually cloudless and pleasantly warm.

As a result there are drawcards here for everyone in every season – vibey downtown city centres, fantastic nightlife, numerous markets, sprawling parks, botanical gardens, nature and wildlife reserves, museums and the spectacular World Heritage Site, the Cradle of Humankind.

The province is also an excellent base for anyone wishing to visit one of the numerous Big Five game reserves that are a day’s travel or less by car. The winter months (June to August) are best for game viewing, and accommodation at reserves during this period needs to be reserved well in advance.

However, visitors are fast becoming aware of the splendid experience at reserves in summer, when bird viewing is at its best; the Big Five are harder to spot but, where they are, they're in verdant surroundings

By Dylan Harbour (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Throughout the year, golfers can enjoy a wide variety of world-class golf courses, and for the more adventurous, the mighty Vaal River and the Magaliesberg mountain range on the outskirts of the province offer diverse activities from waterskiing and boating to hiking, abseiling and hot air ballooning. These operate throughout the year.

Gauteng is a city of festivals, indoor and outdoor, during all seasons.

One of the largest is the energetic and vibrant Joburg Carnival that kicks off the Gauteng festival calendar in January, and features colourful floats snaking their way through dowtown Joburg. In February the FNB Dance Umbrella celebrates all forms of dance at various venues in Johannesburg, while March sees in the Joburg Art Fair. In the same month, the massive Rand Show offers 10 days of hundreds of exhibition stalls and more than enough fun and entertainment.

Early winter in Johannesburg sees the hugely popular Oyster, Wine & Food Festival at the The Brightwater Commons, while a fantastic line-up of top international and local artists livens up late winter at the premier, three-day Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival in downtown Joburg. Jazz lovers are in for a further treat as the Arts Alive festival takes off in September and showcases the best in local theatre, music, art, dance and general entertainment at venues around Johannesburg.

For food and wine fundis, don’t miss the Soweto Wine Festival or South Africa’s premier food and wine event, the Good Food & Wine Show.

The quietest times in Gauteng are during the following school holidays:

Government schools

31 March – 11 April

23 June – 15 July

29 September – 7 October

8 December – 17 January

Private schools

4 April – 1 May

7 August – 10 September

7 December – 10 January