The Garden Route has a Mediterranean maritime climate with moderately warm summers and mild winters. The Garden Route is one of the richest rainfall regions in South Africa. The rain, brought by the humid sea-winds from the Indian Ocean, falls at the weather side of the mountain slopes.
The western part of the Garden Route belongs to the winter rain zone of the Western Cape. The closer one gets to Port Elizabeth, the more the rainy season shifts towards the summer months. However, one can basically expect some rain throughout the year.
The best time to travel is in the spring and summer months (from September to April). The rest of the year is rather cool and wet.
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.
