Winter in Pretoria

South Africans love summer and not everyone loves winter, but depending on where you come from, you might enjoy the winter season in South Africa. We experience winter in June, July and August, with temperatures between 6°C and 23°C in Pretoria. The best thing about winter in Pretoria is the sunshine that can make the days nice and warm.

In this blog we will tell you some facts about winter in South Africa, give you tips on how to enjoy the winter in Pretoria and list some activities to do here while you’re visiting. Let’s get started!

South African winters: facts

·      Much of the country is dry in the winter, with beautiful sunny skies.

·      The Western Cape is famous for its winter rain. Sometimes it rains in Cape Town for many weeks before the sun shines!

·      Some parts of the country get snow when the weather is cold enough, like the mountains in the Western Cape, Northern Cape and the Drakensberg.

Winter in Pretoria

Pretoria winters might not be as cold as you expect. Yes, the nights are cold and the days are chilly, but the sun always shines. That means you may have a slow start to the day but you can warm up in the sun and feel cozy.

Tips to enjoy winter in Pretoria

·      Always wear many layers of clothing. Start with a vest, a shirt, a jersey and a jacket. Scarves help to keep your neck warm and beanies keep your ears from freezing. Don’t forget your warm socks and boots!

·      Drink warm drinks. Here at the University of Pretoria, there are many cafés where you can get a cup of good coffee, hot chocolate, matcha, or tea.

·      Stay active by doing exercises indoors (like yoga, pilates and going to the gym) or go for a walk in the beautiful sunshine.

·      Eat good traditional South African food, such as bobotie, pap en vleis, soups and curries.

Activities to do in winter in Pretoria

·      Watch English movies / series with friends

·      Grab a coffee with a friend or try it solo

·      Go see the Voortrekker Monument (it has over a hundred steps to climb!)

·      Visit the Pretoria National Botanical Gardens

·      Go watch live music at Park Acoustics

·      Go for a sunny picnic

·      Watch a show at the Atterbury Theatre

·      Watch a rugby match at Loftus Stadium

You can do all these activities with friends, family or colleagues. Be sure to travel safely and always stay alert, but have fun and enjoy winter in Pretoria. It’s a wonderful place to be!

For more information on weather, activities and attractions, visit the links below:

1.    South Africa’s weather and climate, M Alexander, 31 December 2024 (https://southafrica-info.com/land/south-africa-weather-climate/)

2.    Voortrekker Monument: https://www.tripadvisor.co.za/Attraction_Review-g312583-d1546270-Reviews-The_Voortrekker_Monument-Pretoria_Gauteng.html 

3.    Pretoria National Botanical Gardens: https://www.sanbi.org/gardens/pretoria/visitor-information/information/

4.    Park Acoustics: https://www.instagram.com/park_acoustics/?hl=en

5.    Atterbury Theatre shows: https://atterburytheatre.co.za/vertonings/

6.    Loftus Stadium: https://www.tripadvisor.co.za/Attraction_Review-g312583-d2157747-Reviews-Loftus_Versfeld_Stadium-Pretoria_Gauteng.html