Cheapest Time to Fly to South Africa (and the Most Expensive)
The cheapest time to fly to South Africa is often February–March and May—while June–August, late December–early January, and peak safari weeks can be the priciest.
South Africa is one of those places where flight prices can flip fast—one week looks reasonable, then the next week is suddenly “why is this so expensive?” The biggest drivers are US holiday travel, South Africa’s peak safari season, and summer demand into Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Quick Overview
- Cheapest time to fly to South Africa: February–March, May, and September–early November
- Most expensive time to fly to South Africa: June–August, late December–early January, and late March–April (peak US break timing)
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Cheapest Time to Fly to South Africa
These are the windows when demand usually cools down and you’re more likely to catch a solid fare from the US.
February to March (post-holiday dip)
After New Year travel fades, pricing often settles—this is one of the more dependable stretches to look for deals.
Money-saving tip: Midweek departures: Tuesday–Thursday often price better than weekend-heavy dates.
Heads-up: Break timing: some March weeks can spike if they line up with US school breaks.
May (shoulder-season value)
May is a sweet spot for airfare—demand often softens, and you’re not battling the biggest peak-season crowds.
Money-saving tip: Flexible returns: shifting your return by 1–2 days can change long-haul pricing a lot.
Heads-up: Safari demand starts building: late May can begin to trend upward on some itineraries.
September to Early November (post-summer cooldown)
Once the northern-hemisphere summer rush is fully over, prices often ease again. This can be one of the better “deal + good trip” windows.
Money-saving tip: Compare gateways: price-check both Johannesburg (most route volume) and Cape Town (popular leisure demand).
Heads-up: Late November: pricing often starts rising as holiday travel approaches.
Most Expensive Time to Fly to South Africa
This is when demand stacks up—peak travel weeks, popular safari timing, and heavy holiday patterns.
June to August (peak safari season + summer demand)
These months are often the toughest for deals. Safari demand is strong, and US/Europe summer travel pushes a lot of long-haul routes higher.
Peak within peak: Late June through late July is often the most expensive stretch.
Late December to Early January (holiday travel)
Late-December departures and early-January returns are frequently priced at a premium—this is one of the hardest times to “wait for a deal.”
Peak within peak: The week after Christmas through the first week of January.
Late March to April (spring break weeks)
Even if it isn’t peak safari season everywhere, airfare can spike when US break travel hits—especially on weekend-heavy itineraries.
Peak within peak: Friday–Sunday travel patterns usually cost more than midweek-to-midweek trips.
Want Better Weather Without Peak Flight Prices?
If you want a trip that feels comfortable without paying top-dollar airfare, these windows often land well:
- May: pleasant weather in many regions, often better airfare odds than June
- September: great overall timing, often cheaper than July and August
- Early November: solid weather with better pricing odds than late November and December
Extra tip: If your plan includes safari: flights can trend higher when Kruger National Park is in its most popular travel stretch—so locking in earlier can matter more than “waiting.”
Booking Tips To Save On Flights to South Africa
South Africa is a long-haul trip—prices can move a lot, and the best itineraries don’t always last.
- Build the trip around the flight first: grab the best-priced arrival city, then plan your internal route after.
- Sign up for airfare alerts from Jetsetter Alerts. This will allow you to get notified in real-time of any great deals to South Africa.
- If you have specific dates, sign up for Google Flights alerts—they’ll notify you by email if the dates you enter drop in price.
Seasonal Flight Demand for South Africa
Use this chart as a quick guide to the cheapest vs. priciest months to fly.
| Month | Demand Level | Price Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | High → Medium | High → Medium | Better after New Year week |
| Feb | Medium | Medium | Often deal-friendly |
| Mar | Medium | Medium | Can spike with US break timing |
| Apr | Medium | Medium | Some weeks rise around holidays |
| May | Low → Medium | Low → Medium | Strong value month |
| Jun | High | High | Peak season begins |
| Jul | High | High | Peak pricing often holds |
| Aug | High → Medium | High → Medium | Can soften late month |
| Sep | Medium | Medium | Often a strong deal month |
| Oct | Medium | Medium | Steady demand, good travel month |
| Nov | Medium → High | Medium → High | Early month better; late month rises |
| Dec | Medium → Very High | Medium → Very High | Early month can be ok; late month surges |
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