KwaZulu Natal Weather and Climate
The climate in the KwaZulu Natal Province is all year 'round tourist friendly. Sea temperatures are also relatively stable, averaging 21 degrees all year, providing possibilities for a diversity of aquatic activities in any season, including diving, fishing, swimming, boating and surfing.
Did you know? Caressed by the warm waters of the inviting Indian Ocean, the beaches of KwaZulu-Natal continue to lure visitors from all over South Africa and the world to enjoy their sunny vacation here.
Visitors to KwaZulu Natal can look forward to a splendid climate. The largest city, Durban, enjoys warmth and sunshine very occasionally mixed with light, steady rainfall. In Durban the air is heavy with humidity and the subtropical latitude of the city brings with it long, hot summers with rainfall, and very mild winters.
Durban boasts an average of 320 days of sunshine a year. Temperatures range from 16 to 25º C in winter. During the summer months temperatures range from 23 to 33º C (between September and April). January is generally Durban's hottest month, with an average daily temperature of +/- 32ºC. The warm Mozambique current flowing along the coast means wonderfully warm bathing throughout the year, the water seldom falling below 17º C even in the middle of winter. With these conditions, it's no accident that Durban is considered the “holiday city” of KwaZulu Natal.
Further north, conditions become subtropical to an even greater extent, and the estuarine environment of St Lucia and Kosi Bay brings steamy days and balmy nights. Moving inland, the low-lying coastline makes way for the emerald hills of Zululand and Thukela regions, and still further east to the Great Escarpment, as altitudes rise and temperatures drop. In the Drakensberg, the chilly towns of Bergville and Winterton provide a refreshing break from the swelter.
To start planning your trip to Durban and KwaZulu Natal enjoy browsing our info pages where you will find all the KwaZulu Natal Attractions and destinations, plenty of photographs to inspire you and a good selection of accredited establishments providing accommodation in Durban.
The site provides user-friendly guides of accommodation in KwaZulu Natal with listings sorted by region, town and suburb and by categories from hotels and guesthouses to self catering holiday apartments, homes and other options. We hope you enjoy your stay in the magnificent KwaZulu Natal Province!
KwaZulu Natal as a destination
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Beaches
KwaZulu Natal Beaches
Durban's beaches are characterised by soft, golden sand, palm trees and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. The main beaches are shark netted and patrolled from sunrise to sunset by trained lifeguards who have an impressive track record in beach safety ...
Outdoor Activities
Hiking in KwaZulu Natal
KwaZulu Natal boasts some of the most spectacular scenery South Africa has to offer which can be traversed on challenging mountain hikes. From the magical mountain range of The Drakensberg to the Wilderness areas in Maputaland, the endless coastline and ...
Outdoor Activities
Game Viewing
Game Viewing in South Africa is done either in closed vehicles (mostly in the National Parks of which the Kruger National Park is the most famous), in open safari vehicles in the Private Game reserves and both day and night game viewing is available in ...