South Africa’s Green Season: What to Expect on a Summer Safari at Shumbalala Game Lodge

📷 Seasonal details to notice - From the violet flowers of the Tree Wistaria to the delicate return of butterflies and bees — the bush tells you when the seasons are shifting. Photo credit - Tania Steyn.

A Bush That’s Waking Up

Summer is a time of movement. As the bush turns green, it also becomes more active. Many of the animals you see during winter are still here, but they behave differently. This is birthing season for antelope like impala, wildebeest, and warthog, and their young begin to appear across the reserve. Predators, of course, stay close. It’s not uncommon to spot lions watching quietly from the shade, waiting for their moment.

📷 Baby impalas, usually born in late November or early December, are a familiar sight during the green season. Photo credit - Tania Steyn.

Smaller creatures emerge too — frogs begin calling after the rain, millipedes cross the sandy paths, and reptiles like rock monitors and tortoises reappear, warmed by the sun. The landscape feels alive in a different way. There’s more to hear, more to smell, and more to notice — if you slow down.

Birdlife in Full Colour

If you enjoy birding, summer is the time to come. Migratory species begin to return, some from other parts of Africa, others from as far away as Europe and Asia. Woodland Kingfishers, with their vivid blue wings and sharp, distinctive call, arrive in numbers. European Bee-eaters, cuckoos, rollers, and Wahlberg’s Eagles all make their seasonal return, turning the skies and trees into a living, moving chorus.

Even if you’re not a birder, it’s hard not to be drawn in. The colours are striking, the calls are constant, and the feeling of rhythm and return is unmistakable. It’s one of the reasons many of our guests come back year after year — not just to see the wildlife, but to feel the seasons change.

📷 Woodland Kingfishers are regular visitors in summer — often seen (and heard!) without even leaving your lounger. Photo credit - Reinhold Deacon.

Want to learn more about who’s flying in? Read: The Seasonal Symphony – Migratory Birds in South Africa’s Summer at Shumbalala Game Lodge for a closer look at some of the species you’ll likely spot — and the incredible journeys they take to get here.

Weather: Warm Days and Afternoon Showers

Summer in the Lowveld is warm and often humid, with daytime temperatures typically between 28°C and 35°C. Mornings are ideal for game drives, with soft light and fresh scents in the air. By late morning, you’ll usually return to the lodge for a relaxed breakfast — often shared with a view of elephants at the waterhole or birds in the nearby trees.

Afternoons tend to be hot and still, and many guests enjoy a swim in their private suite plunge pool, a nap, or a quiet moment on the deck. Storms may roll in later in the day — dramatic, beautiful, and short-lived — clearing the air and cooling the evening.

Our superior suites are designed for this rhythm. With air conditioning, deep baths, and large glass doors that open onto the bush, they offer comfort and calm in every kind of weather.

📷 A calm retreat from the summer heat — with everything you need to unwind between drives. Photo credit - Tania Steyn.

A Photographer’s Dream

While winter offers clear views and easy animal tracking, summer is all about contrast. Green landscapes, moody skies, and dramatic afternoon light make it a favourite for photographers — especially those who love storytelling. Reflections in full waterholes, animals moving through fresh grass, and birds in breeding plumage all offer opportunities you simply won’t find in the dry season.

But even beyond the images, there’s a sense of softness. The air smells different. The colours are deeper. The bush feels more intimate, more alive.

📷 A leopard in the green season: Thick summer foliage offers both cover and contrast — making sightings like this a reward for patient photographers. Photo credit - Villiers Steyn.

A Quieter, Slower Safari

One of the lesser-known benefits of travelling in the green season is the peace. With fewer tourists in the region, sightings are less crowded, and your experience at the lodge feels even more personal. Drives are slower, conversations with guides are longer, and there’s time to notice things you might otherwise miss — a butterfly landing on your boot, the scent of wild basil after the rain, or the call of a bird you’ve never heard before.

For many of our returning guests, this is exactly why they choose to visit in summer. There’s a sense that the bush is welcoming you in — not just to see it, but to feel it.

📷 Slow drives, soft light, and space to notice the small things. Photo credit - Reinhold Deacon.

Is Summer Right for You?

If you’re drawn to clear skies and wide-open views, winter may still be your ideal safari season. But if you love the idea of witnessing the bush come alive — slowly, subtly, and full of detail — then the green season might surprise you. There may be mud on your boots, but there’ll also be birdsong in the air, frogs calling from hidden pools, and a landscape full of quiet miracles.

And when you’re sitting on the lodge deck, watching a herd of elephants wander past in the rain, you’ll understand: summer in the bush has a beauty all its own.

📷 When the bush comes to you. Photo credit - Reinhold Deacon.

Curious how it compares to other times of year? Explore our Month-by-Month Guest Guide to Shumbalala Game Lodge — with real stories and reviews from every season.

Ready to plan your green season safari?

Contact us at res@safarisandretreats.com to find out more about availability, seasonal offers, or pairing your stay with time in the Cape Winelands.