Page 46 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

44  INTRODUCING SOUTH AFRIC A

The Climate of South Africa NORTH OF
THE ORANGE
Situated halfway between the Equator and the Antarctic,
South Africa has a temperate climate with short-term °C 28 29.5 35.5
exceptions in certain locations. Day temperatures can soar 21 20
to 50°C (122°F) over low-lying coastal plains in summer, 13 13
and drop to -16°C (3°F) during a winter’s night over the 4
higher plateau areas. Rainfall increases from west to east. 10 9.5 10.5 11
The most popular time of year to visit South Africa is hrs hrs hrs hrs
during the summer months, from December to February, 26 2 9 24
but winter days are sunny and cool and best for mm mm mm mm
game-viewing. month Apr Jul Oct Jan
SOUTH OF
THE ORANGE
Polokwane
°C 32
24 26
0 kilometres 200 18 16 Pilanesberg
10 10 Mbombela
0 miles 100 (Nelspruit)
4 Mmabatho PRETORIA
8 8 10 11 Johannesburg
hrs hrs hrs hrs MBABANE
SWAZILAND
20 9 21 35
mm mm mm mm
month Apr Jul Oct Jan
Upington Bethlehem
Kimberley
Estcourt
Bloemfontein Richard's Bay
MASERU
THE WEST Springbok LESOTHO
COAST Durban
°C 30 Average monthly Aliwal North
25 24 maximum temperature
17.5 16
13 11 Average monthly Queenstown
7 minimum Beaufort West Graaff-Reinet
temperature
9 8 10 11
hrs hrs hrs hrs Average daily hours Langebaan East London
of sunshine
13 21 11 5 Worcester
mm mm mm mm Average monthly Knysna
rainfall Cape Town Stellenbosch
month Apr Jul Oct Jan Port Elizabeth
Riversdale Mossel
Bay
THE CAPE THE SOUTHERN
CAPE TOWN WINELANDS CAPE
°C 26 °C 31 °C 28
23 21 25 24 25 23
17.5 16 18 16.5 19 16
12 10.5 13 11 12 11
7
7.5 6
8 6 9 11 7 6 9 11 6 6 6.5 8
hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs
41 82 30 15 47 90 40 18 53 34 48 27
mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
month Apr Jul Oct Jan month Apr Jul Oct Jan month Apr Jul Oct Jan

044-045_EW_South_Africa.indd 44 25/05/17 11:59 am