Due to the average altitude of 1200 m on the central high-plateau, temperatures in summer are usually bearable, although the thermometer reading can sometimes go over 35 degrees Celsius. Towards the north-west, in the direction of the Kalahari basin, due to the lower elevation, temperature are even higher. In Upington, for example, at the lower Orange River, one can expect temperatures of around 40 degrees in summer. The best time to travel in the Karoo is between May and September. The climatic conditions in South Africa are largely dependent on the altitude of the area in question and its proximity to one of the oceans.
Climate does, therefore, vary considerably regionally.
Click on a climate zone for details. 33 Andrews Street, Hout Bay 7800, South Africa. All rights reserved.