Cape Town in September

September announces the southern springtime in Cape Town and its surroundings. Nestled between mountains and two seas within a unique floral kingdom, the beauty of Cape Town’s natural surroundings is legendary, especially stunning in September.

💡Going in October? Read our guide with Cape Town visiting tips for October.

As South Africa’s oldest city, its architecture, museums, and the diversity of its people recall a captivating social history.

All of the links above open in a new tab. They are incredibly useful for your Cape Town trip.

In this article, our Cape Town resident will provide you with everything you need to know about visiting the city and the surrounding area in September:

• Is September a good time?
• How is the weather?
• What do you need to pack?
• What should you wear?

Which are the best things to do in September?

Is September a Good Time to Visit Cape Town?

September in Cape Town is a very good time, as it offers delightful weather, lush new vegetation growth, and more than eleven hours of daylight. It rains only about eight days on average, and never all day.

At the same time, peak season is a month or two away, so crowds are manageable, and cheaper flights and accommodation still plentiful.

Hermanus Whale Watching | Cape Town Pick-Up

If you do only one thing in September, then go on a whale watching tour. It’s in the middle of the whale watching season and a perfect month to see whales and even orcas!

This is an incredible experience since you will be on a comfortable speedboat in an area with the highest concentration of whales on the South African Coastline.

Bonus (book via the calendar above): You will get picked up at your hotel in Cape Town!

Special September Tip: Safari

While September in Cape Town has a lot to offer, it’s also an ideal time for a safari tour and game viewing in the reserves of South Africa. Unfortunately, you will need to book beforehand, but you can find a selection of amazing tours through Cape Town outlets (see above).

Why now? September is still the dry season in South Africa’s bushveld game regions, a prime time for a safari. The terrain roads are easy to get around, and the weather is pleasantly cool. Perhaps most importantly, varieties of thirsty animals still gather around scarce water sources, making them easy to spot, observe and photograph.

If you want to see wildlife but prefer not to book one of the more extended tours, we recommend the 2-day safari (see the banner above).

Must-Do September Activities

 

All three tours above are 100% worth it. We highly recommend booking in advance (you will receive a mobile voucher, which is very comfortable!)

However, this is our top tip:

🎟️ Cape of Good Hope and Penguins Tour – From Cape Town: This is the most amazing tour you will ever do from Cape Town. We would give this tour 100 stars!!!

Weather

The weather during this month is all about the arrival of spring.

September in Cape Town offers comfortable temperatures with average highs from 18°C (64°F) to 19°C (66°F). There are between ten and twelve hours of mostly sunny days and 10 to 12 rainfall days.

This mostly pleasant period offers lots of time to explore and enjoy the city and the broader Cape region at your leisure.

Temperatures

High temperatures are around 19° C (66°F), seldom below 15 °C (58°F) or above 24°C (75°F)

Typical September highs:

• Early September. : 18°C (64°F)
• Mid- September: 18°C (64°F)
• Late September: 19°C (66°F)

A typical mid-September daily temperature progression:

• Morning (8:30 AM): 12°C (59°F)
• Afternoon (2 PM): 19°C (66°F)
• Night (11:30 PM): 10°C (50°F)

Our recent trip: We enjoyed six fine-weather days in September seeing a significantly dark cloud. We found the pleasant conditions ideal for beach walks, trail hikes, sightseeing, museum hopping, or just relaxing at a sidewalk café. Nights and early mornings were relatively cold, but we never needed more than a jacket or sweater to feel comfortable.

Rain

There are still likely to be occasional bouts of wet weather, so pack your umbrella and some light rainwear. The rainfall average in September is around 42mm (1.7in). September rainfall progression:

• 1 September: 47mm (1.8in)
• 11 September – 39mm (1.5in)
• 21 September: 33mm(1.3in)
• 31 September – 28mm (1.1in )

Wind

In September, Southerly winds are prevalent. However, with an average high of 18.8 kph (11 knots) for the month, they can do little to spoil your enjoyment, and a light breeze is often welcome on warmer days.

What to Pack | What to Wear

Wear layers when exploring Cape Town in September. The daytime is warm, and the early mornings and evenings are cold to cool. Bring long pants, shorts, long and short sleeve shirts, and a warmer jacket or windbreaker.

Make sure you pack:

• Comfortable long pants (jeans and smart casual)

• Bathing suit and shorts (just in case)

• Long and short sleeve shirts

• Essentials such sun hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

• Warm jacket or windbreaker

• Sweater

• Good walking shoes

• Tee shirt

• Raincoat

• Driver’s license.

• Particular interest articles (binoculars, climbing boots, etc.) • Umbrella

You will not need to bring thick coats, gloves, or scarves for this time of year. For formal outings, you can get away with smart casual.

Most of what you need you can buy or hire in Cape Town, so don’t worry if you forget anything or need something special; binoculars, say, for whale watching, a hydration pack for hiking, a wet suit for snorkelling or diving.

Crowds – How Busy Is It

September is before the summer’s high season and not too busy yet. However, it is when locals start enjoying their city again, and, as we discovered, tourist and tourist groups are on the rise. We encountered significant queues at popular places, but they were not long enough to spoil our mood.

However, flights and accommodation are still cheaper and more options are available.

Things To Do in September / Places To Visit

September in Cape Town also has its own memorable natural and cultural events.

Nature’s highlights include the spectacular West Coast wildflowers, whale watching, springtime wonders at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, and superb birdwatching at the West Coast National Park.

On the cultural calendar, there are vibrant street food and theatre fringe festivals, and the famous Cape Town Marathon draws athletes from all over the world. Nightlife is up and running again with new shows and abundant dining choices.

The sun-filled sandy beaches beckon strollers.

Is the water too cold in September? Swimming in the icy Atlantic water would take some courage, but divers and snorkelers insist that September conditions are perfect for underwater sightseeing and exploring.

Safari: 1-5 Days

As September is an incredible time for game viewing, we highly recommend considering a safari tour from Cape Town. If your time is limited, plan a 1 or 2-day tour. Otherwise, a four or five-day tour is an exceptional experience.

Hermanus and the Whales

From August through September, whales visit the Cape’s Atlantic bays ocean to breed and give birth, providing a superb wildlife experience.

In Cape Town’s False Bay, you can sip a coffee or beer and enjoy the sight of pods of Southern Rights breaching and blowing offshore.

However, for the whole, frequently close-up experience of these majestic sea mammals, a visit to Hermanus on the East Coast is worth the 120km (75mi) drive. This charming seaside town is considered the best place on earth to observe whales. And August through September, when hundreds of Southern Rights and even Orcas return to the bay to breed, is the best time.

We had the privilege to inspect two Southern Right whales that had swum into the fishing boat harbour. They were no more than 20 meters from the shore, and we could see the barnacles on their backs.

After September, the Southern Rights and their newborns leave the bay for the wide sea. Only a few resident Hump Backs remain after that.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

The Kirstenbosch Gardens were established to conserve, research and display the country’s indigenous plants. For visitors, it is an enormous tranquil garden. You can picnic on one of the vast lawns or explore the winding, tree-shaded paths through magnificent floral exhibits. There are also two restaurants in the gardens, an excellent memorabilia shop, and a plant museum.

Kirstenbosch is a beautiful place to visit no matter the time of year, but early spring, i.e., September, is one of the prime times. On our visit to this Eden, we were happily overwhelmed by the profusion and scents of newly budded flowers. We were not put off by the crowds, mostly locals, but a dozen or more tourist buses were in the car park.

West Coast Wildflowers

An hour or two drive north of the city, you’ll find another September exclusive on the West Coast. From late July to September, tapestries of multi-coloured wildflowers shroud the landscape. They turn the semi-desert into a vast enchanting rock garden.

Many Capetonians, and a significant number of visitors too, especially photography enthusiasts, make the drive part of their annual calendar. You won’t see this anywhere else, so take plenty of pictures.

West Coast National Park

The West Coast National Park is called the jewel of the Cape West Coast. In September, an explosion of wildflowers adds to the spectacular views and abundant bird and antelope life that make the park famous.

You can drive through quite quickly if you want to fit a visit to the park into a busy itinerary. However, if you prefer to make it a relaxing time in beautiful nature, there are lodges and hotels where you can spend the night or stay for a few days.

Snorkelling or Scuba Diving

July through September happens to be the best time for snorkelling or scuba diving in Cape Town. The Northwesterly winds ensure clear waters and visibility of up to 15 meters on the Indian Ocean side. Training for novices is easy to locate. Attractions for seasoned divers include shipwrecks, diving with seals, shark-cage dives, and intriguing seaweed forests.

Always consider that the Atlantic side has icy currents. We were, thankfully, advised to hire 7mil wetsuits.

Cape Town Marathon

Runners from all over South Africa and the world converge on Cape Town for this event. Billed as the most scenically beautiful run on the international marathon calendar, it attracts both casual and elite athletes.

Runners can choose from the 5km (3.1m), 10km (6.2m) and the 42.2km(26m) full marathon options. There are also two rugged trail runs of 12 km (7.4m) and 22 km (13.7m).

Cape Town Fringe Festival

Cape Town Fringe Festival is one of the city’s exciting annual cultural events. Local theatre-makers, musicians, dancers, and visual artists showcase live works on stages and other commandeered spaces across the city. The best of emerging local arts will be on display for over two weeks.

Because greater Cape Town was formed by linking up numerous previously small villages, each area has unique features. There is so much to discover wherever you go that it is impossible to describe it all. Locals have told us they still expect to find delightful surprises on their outings. We only have the space here to focus on just some of Cape Town’s main attractions

More Things to Do

Things to do and see in Cape Town abound, and everything is available in September.

Boulders Beach,

Boulders Beach is a penguin sanctuary near the naval suburb of Simonstown. It is a natural cluster of inlets sheltered by massive granite rocks where over 3000 African penguins have made their home.

You can picnic amongst these adorable birds for a small admission fee and snorkel or swim in the sheltered water.

Cape Point Nature Reserve

After visiting the penguins, visit Cape Point Nature Reserve. (The coastal drive — 20 km (13 mi) of ocean and mountain views – is recommended for its own sake.)

Inside the reserve, pristinely preserved Cape biodiversity is set amongst rugged hills and a rocky shore. Cliffs towering up to 200 meters (650 ft) above the sea provide intriguing ocean and shore views.

Mountain Trails

In and around Cape Town, there are nearly 400 mountain trails. You can do easy walks or difficult rock climbs, depending on your fitness level. Locals state they never get tired of the trails’ natural magnificence and exhilaration. Hiking is a safe and uplifting adventure if you follow a few safety precautions, dress in layers, and bring water for longer hikes.

There are challenges for the more extreme rock climbers to suit every experience and skill level. A dry, cool day in September is an ideal time to take on your choice of the region’s excellent rockfaces and crags.

Table Mountain

First on every visitor’s must-do list in September is seeing the vista of the city, sea, and coastline from the top of Table Mountain. In the busy peak season, this means endless queues for cable car tickets and boarding. In September, though, there is no such discomfort.

One of the two revolving cable cars will ferry you over the steep slopes to enjoy one of the world’s most breathtaking views.

Those with more energy may prefer taking one of the many climbing trails. Here again, these range from leisurely walks to climbs requiring equipment. The cooler weather makes September an ideal time to enjoy the climb.

Bokaap (Lit. Above Cape).

In the 1700s, the Dutch East India Company shipped in thousands of Islamic slaves from various colonies in the East. They and their descendants became known collectively as the Cape Malays. After slavery ended, they built their homes on a mountain slope where they preserved their Islamic way of life.

This settlement is the origin of Bokaap, home of the oldest Mosque in South Africa. Today, its citizens still take pride in their Islamic roots and traditions. Cobbled streets and vividly colourful historic cottages make the Bokaap a delightful place to spend some time.

Township Tours.

Townships are ghettos set aside, through former racial segregation laws, for black or coloured people. As a result, these areas were historically excluded from the tourism routes. This restriction, of course, is no longer the case.

Fast becoming a favourite outing for many, a township tour offers a profound opportunity to enjoy the warmth and hospitality of a South Africa that apartheid tried to hide from the world.

The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

The Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront is Cape Town’s prime shopping, dining and entertainment hub. It was built on 103 hectares of the oldest working harbour in South Africa. A network of dockside warehouses turned into hundreds of modern retail outlets.

No visitor can resist spending time, often lots of it, exploring the mind boggling variety of available goods, dining fare, entertainment and services.

At the same time, somehow, the harbour charm is preserved. You can still watch ships docking as you sip your wine or coffee or observe the fishing boats delivering their catch. It will be hard to resist the temptation to take one of the many boat tours on offer.

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES

The oldest city in South Africa is Cape Town. Its history includes ancient hunter-gatherers, European settlers, slavery, wars, and the fight against apartheid that led to the new democracy of today. The city’s museums and art galleries show fascinating pieces from the past 500 years.

Robben Island Museum

Robben Island is the well-known site of the apartheid era prison that held Nelson Mandela for 28 years. Visitors from far and wide come to witness this symbolic monument to the struggle for democracy.

Visitors talk about how the prison made them feel and what they learned about the island’s history. Before the tour, not many people knew that the island’s sad history shows hundreds of years of being alone and being ruled over. Some of the people who were sent to live on its desolate shores were people who were too sick to live, native rebels, people with mental illness, and lepers.

From the sea crossing to the guided tour, a visit to Robben Island is an unforgettable, even haunting, experience.

The Cape Town Castle

Built in the 17th Century to house the military regiment and protect the Cape settlers, the castle is the oldest building in the country. Today, this much-visited inner-city feature houses military history exhibitions, art, and evocative artefacts. Today, it is a memorial to early Dutch settlement rather than an army base. However, a Cape guards regiment still uses it as a barracks for its personnel.

The Slave Lodge

Another historical building, the former Government House, is now known as the Slave Lodge. ‘Under the theme, ‘From human wrongs to human rights”, exhibits reflect the long history of slavery in South Africa. The Lodge also explores current human rights issues by hosting occasional temporary exhibitions.

District Six Museum

District Six Museum is housed where, in the 1970s, the Apartheid authorities removed over 60,000 people from their homes. The moving exhibitions commemorate the evicted peoples’ plight and subsequent decades of hardship.

In 2003, the Netherlands honoured the museum with a Prins Klaus award.

IZIKO (Lit. The Hearth)

IZIKO museums is a national heritage body. They operate 11 major museums, including the Slave Lodge, in Cape Town. All are housed in magnificent historic buildings and bring the city’s natural and social heritage to life.

The Company Gardens

The Company Gardens, close to the city centre, provides more than a pleasant walk. Flanked by significant museums and galleries, its flora and architectural features date back to the arrival of the first Dutch settlers. In addition, the garden provided fresh produce for ships en route to and from the Dutch East Indies.

The Zeitz Gallery

Situated on the V&A Waterfront, the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Modern Art Africa (MOCAA) exhibits the work of artists from all over Africa and the African Diaspora. Housed in converted grain silos, it occasionally also hosts international exhibitions. Opened relatively recently, it has become a favourite for locals and visitors.

THEATRE

Now that the main COVID threat seems behind us, the theatre is live in Cape Town again. Apart from the three main theatres, Artscape, The Baxter, and Theatre on the Bay, Cape Town has an array of exciting smaller theatre venues. September highlights include the Fringe Festival, described above as well as regular drama, comedy, musicals, opera, ballet and contemporary dance programmes

SHOPPING

As with all modern cities, Cape Town has an abundance of shops, department stores, shopping centres, malls, and megamalls.

The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

The Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront is a network of old dockside warehouses turned into hundreds of modern retail outlets. Because there are so many options, it is Cape Town’s best place to shop, eat, and have fun.

The harbour still operates. While you dine, you can watch ships docking or fishing boats delivering their catch.