Drakensberg region Weather in January

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in the Drakensberg region, South Africa in January.

🔎
Underberg Himeville Winterton Struisbaai

Planning a trip to the Drakensberg region, South Africa this January? Here's what you need to know about the weather:

What to Expect in the Drakensberg region in January

The Drakensberg region, South Africa is a region in South Africa. January in the Drakensberg region generally has temperatures that range from warm to very warm, with precipitation levels ranging from low to heavy.

Temperatures

During the day temperatures vary from warm in Himeville at 24°C (75°F) to very warm in Hammanskraal at 31°C (88°F). At night it cools down to 20°C (68°F) in Hammanskraal and 13°C (55°F) in Himeville.

To explore the conditions in the Drakensberg region, South Africa in more detail, check the map below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From low rainfall in Struisbaai with an average of 23 mm (0.9 in) to heavy rainfall in Himeville with 258 mm (10 in). Based on our climate, it is the month with the most precipitation throughout the year in Underberg.

Explore the Drakensberg region by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in the Drakensberg region — and find the best time to visit. (based on Underberg)

January24°C (75°F) February24°C (75°F) March23°C (73°F) April21°C (70°F) May20°C (68°F) June18°C (64°F) This monthJuly17°C (63°F) August19°C (66°F) September22°C (72°F) October22°C (72°F) November23°C (73°F) December24°C (75°F)
Best Time to Visit the Drakensberg region →

Best Places to Visit in the Drakensberg region in January

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across the Drakensberg region.

Conditions Temperatures Precipitation
perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in the Drakensberg region

What is the weather like in January for some of the most popular destinations in the Drakensberg region, South Africa?

Temperature range in the Drakensberg region (January)

Precipitation variation in the Drakensberg region (January)

Underberg

In January Underberg generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 24°C (75°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 13°C (55°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

« December
January
February »
December
January
February
Max temperature
24°C (75°F)
24°C (75°F)
24°C (75°F)
Min temperature
12°C (54°F)
13°C (55°F)
13°C (55°F)
Monthly rainfall
225 mm (8.9 in)
250 mm (9.8 in)
228 mm (9 in)
Monthly rainy days
19 days
20 days
17 days
Weather conditions
unpleasant
unpleasant
unpleasant
Climate in Underberg →

Himeville

In January Himeville generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 24°C (75°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 13°C (55°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

« December
January
February »
December
January
February
Max temperature
23°C (73°F)
24°C (75°F)
24°C (75°F)
Min temperature
12°C (54°F)
13°C (55°F)
13°C (55°F)
Monthly rainfall
229 mm (9 in)
258 mm (10 in)
235 mm (9.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
19 days
20 days
17 days
Weather conditions
unpleasant
unpleasant
unpleasant
Climate in Himeville →

Winterton

In January Winterton generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 28°C (82°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 16°C (61°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

« December
January
February »
December
January
February
Max temperature
28°C (82°F)
28°C (82°F)
28°C (82°F)
Min temperature
15°C (59°F)
16°C (61°F)
17°C (63°F)
Monthly rainfall
178 mm (7 in)
187 mm (7.4 in)
172 mm (6.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
15 days
15 days
13 days
Weather conditions
pleasant
tolerable
pleasant
Climate in Winterton →

Struisbaai

In January Struisbaai generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 25°C (77°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 19°C (66°F) and low monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

« December
January
February »
December
January
February
Max temperature
24°C (75°F)
25°C (77°F)
25°C (77°F)
Min temperature
18°C (64°F)
19°C (66°F)
19°C (66°F)
Monthly rainfall
25 mm (1 in)
23 mm (0.9 in)
24 mm (0.9 in)
Monthly rainy days
7 days
7 days
7 days
Weather conditions
perfect
perfect
perfect
Climate in Struisbaai →

Hammanskraal

In January Hammanskraal generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 31°C (88°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 20°C (68°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

« December
January
February »
December
January
February
Max temperature
30°C (86°F)
31°C (88°F)
31°C (88°F)
Min temperature
19°C (66°F)
20°C (68°F)
20°C (68°F)
Monthly sun hours
276 hours
257 hours
233 hours
Monthly rainfall
108 mm (4.3 in)
99 mm (3.9 in)
92 mm (3.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
12 days
11 days
8 days
Weather conditions
tolerable
pleasant
pleasant
Climate in Hammanskraal →

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in the Drakensberg region, in South Africa.

In our records: South Africa January extremes

Notable January records observed across cities in South Africa in our climate database (1976 – 2026). Historic readings can vary in quality, so treat these as illustrative.

  • From our sources, the wettest January day in South Africa brought 323 mm (13 in) in Hoedspruit on January 18, 2012.

Popular cities in January

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in the Drakensberg region in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Underberg 24°C (75°F) 13°C (55°F) 250 mm (9.8 in)
Himeville 24°C (75°F) 13°C (55°F) 258 mm (10 in)
Winterton 28°C (82°F) 16°C (61°F) 187 mm (7.4 in)
Struisbaai 25°C (77°F) 19°C (66°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Hammanskraal 31°C (88°F) 20°C (68°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Bergville 27°C (81°F) 16°C (61°F) 250 mm (9.8 in)

The Drakensberg region weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in the Drakensberg region, South Africa in January?

the Drakensberg region, South Africa typically experiences unpleasant weather in January, part of the season. Daytime highs in Underberg average around 24°C (75°F), and temperatures drop to about 13°C (55°F) at night.

What is the average temperature in the Drakensberg region, South Africa in January?

Daytime temperatures in Underberg peak at roughly 24°C (75°F) in January, dropping to about 13°C (55°F) overnight.

Does the Drakensberg region, South Africa get a lot of rain in January?

Rainfall in the Drakensberg region, South Africa peaks during January. Underberg averages roughly 250 mm (9.8 in), so frequent and sometimes heavy showers are the norm.

Is January a Good Time to Visit the Drakensberg region, South Africa?

Given the typically unpleasant weather conditions in Underberg, January may not be the ideal time to visit the Drakensberg region, South Africa.

Generally speaking, April, May, June and September provide perfect weather in Underberg. On the other hand, the weather in January, February and December tend to be unpleasant.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in the Drakensberg region.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to South Africa? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in South Africa.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

Bucket list

Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.

Visit Kruger Park in South Africa

Are you going to South Africa, then you cannot skip the Kruger Park. The Kruger Park is one of the most beautiful and largest safari parks in the world.
One of South Africa's most spectacular private game reserves

Sabi Sand Game Reserve is one of South Africa's most spectacular private game reserves. The chance that you see the entire Big Five is high in winter (June - August).
Stay in the world's largest open-air gallery

Vast mountains, beautiful nature, tranquility and the possibility of hiking and seeing fascinating rock paintings. This can all be experienced at the Cederberg Mountains.
Kwazulu Natal

Countless beautiful landscapes, a colorful collection of cultures, wildlife parks, busy and deserted beaches, lively cities, small villages and a subtropical climate.
Must visit in South Africa →