May to September are the winter months in South Africa. In the South
(Cape Town and Garden Route) it is the rainy season and generally cold
and wet and rather unpleasant. In the northern areas (Kruger and
Johannesburg) it is not the rainy season but it is also cold. In my
opinion it is not desirable to visit SA in those winter months. The best
time is December to April. There are some lovely warm winter days but it
is not the norm.

You have however correctly identified the best spots in terms of "must
sees" and if cost is not an important option then private game reserves
are probably a better bet.

Incidently I live in Cape Town but become a snowbird to Miami from April
To September. Feel free to ask for more detailed info and you may
contact me at my email address.

RipVanWinkle wrote:
We have never been to Africa and I would like opinions, please. We plan to
spend just 10 nights in South Africa, not including travel time to/from the
USA.

Our only available dates for this year fall between June 21 and Aug 23,
right in the middle of winter. This is going to be a very expensive trip
and maybe the only time we will ever get to visit SA. If these dates are
not good I would rather delay the trip for a year. My question: What are
the best months to vacation in South Africa and are June/July/August poor
choices?

Looking at various websites the "must sees" seem to be Cape Town and
Krueger. Even better than Krueger would be a three day private reserve
safari perhaps to Sabi Sabi or one of the others. I think it makes sense to
fly there directly so I am thinking 4 evenings in Cape Town, 3 in the
Krueger area. That leaves 3 somewhere else. Any ideas?

Does it make sense to do the Garden route drive in June, July or August?

Thank you all for your help.