Where and when
Best time to visit Johannesburg from India
Johannesburg is the arrival point for Kruger and the Panorama Route, with the Apartheid Museum, Soweto and Maboneng worth a day or two in town; its dry winter is the main game-viewing season.
Cheapest month to fly: October, from ₹46,572 return (Mumbai, seen 9 Oct). Cheapest fare checked in the last 48 hours: ₹46,572 from Mumbai.
Johannesburg month by month
| Month | Season | High / low | Rain | Cheapest fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January South African summer school holidays | Off-season | 28° / 15°C | 123 mm | ₹59k ● live ₹59k |
| February | Off-season | 28° / 15°C | 82 mm | ₹51k ● live ₹51k |
| March Rand Show | Shoulder | 27° / 13°C | 73 mm | – |
| April | Shoulder | 24° / 10°C | 43 mm | – |
| May | Peak | 22° / 7°C | 16 mm | – |
| June | Peak | 19° / 4°C | 7 mm | – |
| July | Peak | 19° / 3°C | 3 mm | – |
| August | Peak | 23° / 6°C | 7 mm | – |
| September | Peak | 27° / 9°C | 16 mm | – |
| October | Shoulder | 29° / 12°C | 57 mm | ₹47k ● live ₹47k |
| November | Shoulder | 29° / 14°C | 89 mm | ₹73k ● live ₹73k |
| December South African summer school holidays | Off-season | 28° / 15°C | 127 mm | ₹52k ● live ₹52k |
Fares are the lowest return fare seen in the last 14 days for trips departing that month, from any Indian city we track; a green dot means a fare checked in the last 48 hours. Months with a dash have no fares yet. Seasons: NASA POWER climate normals (derived) (checked 2026-10-09). Weather averages: NASA POWER (Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources) Daily API v2.10.0, MERRA-2 based, 2001-2020 monthly means of daily values.
Dates to plan around
In Johannesburg
- Rand Show · 25–29 Mar 2027. Consumer and family fair at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec over the Easter long weekend; heavy traffic around Nasrec and Soweto on show days. source, checked 2026-10-09
- South African summer school holidays · 11 Dec – 13 Jan 2027. Public schools break from 11 December to 13 January; Kruger rest camps and coastal resorts are booked far ahead, while Johannesburg itself empties out and city hotels are quieter. source, checked 2026-10-09
Indian rush periods
Fares out of India rise around these holidays, so book earlier or fly just outside them.
- Dussehra & Durga Puja · 16–21 Oct
- Diwali · 5–11 Nov
- Guru Nanak Jayanti · 20–24 Nov
- Christmas & New Year · 18 Dec – 3 Jan
- Pongal / Makar Sankranti · 13–18 Jan
- Republic Day weekend · 22–26 Jan
Flights to Johannesburg by departure city
Visa for Indian passports
Indian passport holders need an e-visa for South Africa, applied for online before travel (allow about 7 days). Online ETA (ZAR 500, about US$30) at eta.dha.gov.za, usually approved within 24 hours. Only valid if you land at Johannesburg or Cape Town (also Lanseria, Durban); other entry points need a VFS visa.
Johannesburg: questions
What is the best time to visit Johannesburg?
Johannesburg's peak season is May, June, July, August and September, with March, April, October and November as shoulder months. No official tourism-board page on Johannesburg's seasons could be opened, so these ratings follow the NASA POWER climate normals: summer rain peaks from November to February with 80 to 130 mm a month on 16 to 20 days, while May to September is dry and sunny with cool nights of 3 to 9°C, which is also the dry-season window for safaris.
When is the rainy season in Johannesburg?
The wettest months are January, November and December, with about 123 mm, 89 mm, 127 mm of rain respectively on average.
How hot does Johannesburg get?
October is the hottest month, with average daily highs near 29°C. July has the coolest nights, around 3°C.
When is Johannesburg most crowded?
Expect the most visitors in May, June, July, August and September. Events that draw crowds: Rand Show (25–29 Mar 2027), South African summer school holidays (11 Dec – 13 Jan 2027).
Which month is cheapest to fly to Johannesburg from India?
October 2026 has the lowest return fare FlyBun has seen in the last 14 days, ₹46,572 from Mumbai. We have fares for 5 of the next 12 months, so a month with no figure may be cheaper. Fares change daily.
Do Indians need a visa for South Africa?
Indian passport holders need an e-visa for South Africa, applied for online before travel (allow about 7 days). Online ETA (ZAR 500, about US$30) at eta.dha.gov.za, usually approved within 24 hours. Only valid if you land at Johannesburg or Cape Town (also Lanseria, Durban); other entry points need a VFS visa.
Watch any route and FlyBun alerts you free when its fare drops.