"Africa" underwent a refit at Chatham in 1912. Under a fleet reorganization in May 1912, "Africa" returned to full commission and she and all seven of her sisters (, , , "Hibernia", , "King Edward VII", and "Zealandia") were assigned to form the 3rd Battle Squadron, assigned to the First Fleet, Home Fleet. The squadron was detached to the Mediterranean in November 1912 because of the First Balkan War (October 1912–May 1913); it arrived at Malta on 27 November 1912 and subsequently participated in a blockade by an international force of Montenegro and in an occupation of Scutari. "Africa" and "Hindustan" returned to the United Kingdom and the Home Fleet in February 1913 and were temporarily attached to the 4th Battle Squadron; They rejoined the 3rd Battle Squadron when it returned to the United Kingdom and rejoined the Home Fleet on 27 June 1913.