SANParks.org Forums

Its still warm but comfortable a couple hours after sunset but there are also airconditioners in the rooms.
Here is a pretty good weather thingy that you can check humidity, temp or pretty much any weather info you want at any time of the day, I put "Skukuza, South Africa" in the "Get Weather" window.
http://weatherspark.com/#!graphs;ws=29022
I am leaving for Las Vegas in a few hours, hows that for polar oposite to KNP

Our plan is to be Jhb Sept 15.
So we have 6 weeks before or 6 weeks after.
What is August Like?
We usually start in the north and work our way south.
Having stayed in most camps over the years, but have never been in August.
What are climate, activity and crowds like?
Do school holidays have an impact?

Hi there Heritagearts,

August tends to attract a specific group of people in the south, that is the Skukuza half marathon runners.

It does, unfortunately fall close to a public holiday, women's day. It is aslo the start, as far as I know, of the private school holidays.

If you are safely in the north, you should not be affected.

Weather wise, it can be warm, but also have a few chilly days.
It does tend to be windy.

Other than the holiday/running crowd, it is a lovely time of year.

Heritagearts, MM has given you good info on August. I like visiting in all three of the months you have mentioned. The veld is dry so you find animals gathered at the waterholes so sightings are good. But Aug and Sept are 'busy' months. Not as busy as June/July though.

Do not underestimate the wind Can get very dusty, especially if you are camping.

September is my favorite time in the park.

Still dry so a lot of animals congregated near water.
Good visibility.
Not too cold at night and day temperatures not as high as October - March.
No influence of school holidays.

Did not realise private school holidays were in August in SA. We are staying in Olifants 14th and 15th, and Lower Sabie 16th and 17th. Are these areas likely to be really busy at these times, and if show, shall I re-arrange to stay in more northern camps?

Happy New Year!

We usually come to the park in September but are thinking of coming in October this year. How different is the weather do the rains start in this month.
Thanks

October is usually considered to be the start of the rainy season but it is also known as the time when most animals die during times of drought.

My experience of Kruger is that in years of above average rainfall it rain more during the early part of the season (October, November) and then again in January and February when rainfall is usually less during normal years.

I do however think that there will not be much of a difference between September and October.

It may be that October may be much warmer than September.

Hi mikath

I have found over the past few years, the rains only really have come late November, early December. So my experience of October has been that is it still pretty dry. And it can be very hot. I experienced 49 degrees in Skukuza on 11 Oct 2010. But then, cold fronts still do come past and bring cooler days in Oct.

Are you wanting to go at a different time to experience a different season?

I am going to go with DB.

for me October has alwyas been hot, very hot and dry.

We have been coming to the park 3 times a year for the last 3yrs and I am finding it harder and harder getting accommodation in the park.
Very difficult trying to plan 3 trips 11months in front.
I can never get Lower Sabi except in January,
there just seems more accommodation available in October as seem to have completely messed up the September trip
Hey shouldn't be moaning I should just be grateful we can get to that amazing place 2-3 times a year from the UK
Thanks

Wow, you are very loyal customers

Why I asked is that I find going later in Nov delightful. Different ... but totally delightful. The impala drop their lambs, the rains come and everything greens and flowers, and of course, the birds arrive.

Dinkeybird we try to come January, May and September so that we get the different seasons in the park I love January when it is so lush and green. Its so beautiful. September show such different scenery May seems to be in the middle

Ah, ok ... so January will be a type of 'November' delight. With November it is risky, as the rains might not come, or it could rain all the time. But the Impala lambing is very special. But in Jan all the birds are in the park.

Hi mikath -- just remember that October is often called "suicide month" because of the heat & drought

Everything and everyone seems to be on edge waiting for the rains.

As far as sightings go -- it is often first class as the waterholes and rivers are the only places for the game to drink.

And you really score with the park being quiet -- no traffic jams