What's the Weather like in Johannesburg in October
Temperature
Johannesburg has some very pleasant temperatures in October. The average monthly temperature is 18°C. This average temperature is split up between an average daytime temperature of 24°C and nighttime temperatures of a reasonable 11°C. These temperatures remain more or less constant throughout the entire month, meaning there's little variation between the beginning and the end of the month.
Rainfall
October is back into Johannesburg's wet months, raining on average 12 days of the month and producing 80mm of rain. The chances of rain increase from 15% at the beginning of October to 36% by the end of the month.
Sunshine Hours
Johannesburg gets an average of 10 hours of sun every day in October. The length of the days are still increasing, up to 13 hours 5 minutes by the end of the month. The chances of an overcast or mostly cloudy sky increase throughout the month, becoming 33% by the end of October.
Humidity
Johannesburg continues to see a sharp increase in humidity throughout October, starting the month at 56% relative humidity and ending the month at 65%. The increase in humidity tends to flatten out going into November.
Wind
Average wind speeds decrease throughout October, becoming 4.1 m/s by the end of the month. The majority of the winds are out of the north, with some westerly winds thrown in as well.
Dress Code
If you're going to Johannesburg in October you may want to think about some light raingear. Quick-drying clothes are also a good idea if you're caught out in one of Johannesburg's intense but short-lived passing storms. Daytime temperatures call for shorts and comfortable summer clothing. It still gets rather balmy at night, so bring a light coat. Before you start packing, check the Johannesburg 14-day forecast for a more accurate picture. As far as what to wear, Johannesburg is a casual city so just wear what you're comfortable in. There are some fancy restaurants that require long pants and button-down shirts.
Johannesburg Hotels in October
54 On Bath
Rosebank is full of swanky hotels, including the five-star 54 On Bath. This 75-room hotel is in a charming old brick building with plenty of history. The rooms all feature elegant furnishings, cozy beds, and generous bathrooms with granite countertops. Large windows offer views of the surrounding gardens or the Johannesburg skyline. There is one on-site restaurant serving flavorful international dishes for lunch and dinner; breakfast is included for all guests. This hotel is perfect for family vacations, business trips, or special occasions. 54 on Bath is next to the high-speed Gautrain station and the large Rosebank Mall.
Garden Court Eastgate
The three-star Garden Court Eastgate is a great option for budget travelers. This hotel is near the O.R. Tambo International Airport and the Eastgate Mall with easy access to one of the main thoroughfares. There are 157 air-conditioned rooms with large flatscreen TVs, a safe, and high-speed Internet. Guests may enjoy the on-site fitness center, outdoor pool, and business services. There is also a large breakfast and dinner buffet set up in the dining area every day. The staff is very friendly and extremely accommodating, and can provide excellent concierge services for you.
The Reef Hotel
There's a lot to do in Johannesburg's Central Business District, and if you're looking for an affordable hotel there, look at the four-star Reef Hotel. This hotel definitely has an urban vibe to it, with minimalist furniture and black & white photos adorning the rooms. The rooms aren't big, but the hotel's location will give you plenty of excuses to get out. You're close to city hall, Braamfontein, and Maboneng. High-speed rail service and taxis are available to explore further from the CBD. The hotel does have one restaurant known for its excellent African and international dishes. There are also plenty of great restaurants, cafes, bars, museums, and galleries close to The Reef.
The View Boutique Hotel
One quick visit to The View boutique hotel will give you an idea of how it earned its name. This five-star hotel in a historic villa just outside of central Johannesburg provides outstanding views of the city and surrounding highlands. There are only six rooms here, all suites decorated in modern, comfortable décor. The property is surrounded by beautiful gardens, and when the weather is nice you may take in breakfast and dinner outside, prepared by the skilled kitchen staff. The View also offers the Tranquility Spa, an otherworldly experience of various Swedish massages, pedicures, and manicures. The View is located in Auckland Park.
Bars and Restaurants
Thava Indian Restaurant
One of the best Indian restaurants in Johannesburg is Thava Indian Restaurant in Norwood. This moderately-priced restaurant is so popular that the owner, who is from Kerala, had to open multiple locations. And you'll still need reservations. Thava serves dozens of different curries, along with various types of flavorful tikka and tandoori dishes. Both locals and tourists all agree that in addition to the excellent Indian food, Thava also has exceptional customer service. Thava is open every day from 11:30AM to 10PM.
Ristorante La Trinita
Ristorante La Trinita has it all affordable food, excellent service, a wonderful atmosphere, and amazing authentic Italian food. This award-winning restaurant is in Kylami Business Park and can be difficult to find, but it's absolutely worth the search. Ristorante La Trinita serves all of your favorites like creamy fettuccine alfredo, spicy pasta arrabiatta, homemade gnocchi, and flavorful risotto. Their tender steaks and veal are also popular, as are the hand-tossed pizzas. You'll find no shortage of wine choices to perfectly compliment your meal. Ristorante La Trinita is open Tuesday thru Sunday from noon until 10PM and reservations are recommended.
Qunu Restaurant
Qunu Restaurant in Sandton is indeed a special place to dine, perfect for that intimate celebration. This fine-dining restaurant serves unique African dishes with local beef, ostrich, springbok, duck, and seafood. All of these dishes are made with fresh produce picked in their garden every morning. They're not just about dinners; Qunu has a phenomenal Sunday brunch and large breakfast buffet. The chef is happy to accommodate vegans and those with gluten sensitivities. The staff is very professional and will ensure a wonderful experience. Qunu is open every day from 6:30AM to 9:30PM and accepts reservations.
Pigalle Melrose Arch
Melrose Arch has no shortage for dining options of all price ranges. For something on the upper end, spend a night at Pigalle Portuguese restaurant. This modern, classic restaurant affords great views of Melrose Arch and the walls are decorated with stylish fine art. Pigalle's menu features Portuguese classics like giant lobster & prawns, tender beef fillet, peri peri chicken, and tuna nicoise. The restaurant staff is wonderful and attentive without being overbearing. Pigalle is open every day from noon until 10:30PM and regrets to inform customers that they have a policy of no children under 12. Reservations are recommended.
Things to do in Johannesburg in October
Sandton & Nelson Mandela Square
Swanky Sandton is definitely a stop that every visitor to Johannesburg should check out. There's a lot of money in Sandton and some people even refer to it as the richest square mile in Africa. One of the largest attractions in Sandton is Sandton City, a massive mall with shops ranging from local crafts markets to outdoor gear to luxurious clothing. Next to the mall is Nelson Mandela Square, an open court surrounded by amazing restaurants, bars, and cafes. A large statue of Nelson Mandela looks out over the courtyard in front of the central fountain. A short walk from Nelson Mandela Square will get you to SA Breweries, which offers great tours. If you're coming in from a different neighborhood, the main Gautrain station will drop you off right at the square.
Gauteng Lion & Safari Park
Don't miss out on Africa's amazing wildlife during your visit to Johannesburg. A great recommendation to do this is the Lion & Safari Park, 45 minutes north of Johannesburg. Admission to the park is free and you only need to pay for the activities you'd like to participate in. Some of these activities include lion cub interactions, giraffe feeding, full & half-day safaris, and night safaris. You can even make your own self-guided tour throughout the park. Everyone will enjoy seeing elephants, cape buffalo, leopards, cheetahs, and antelope. The park is open daily from 8AM and closes at 8PM on weekends and 6PM weekdays.
Explore Maboneng
The Maboneng precinct has been enjoying a wonderful revival in recent years. This neighborhood was once run down and full of crime and poverty. It's become quite popular among artists and musicians, and hosts many museums and cafes. Art walks are a very popular and regular activity in Maboneng, where you can admire large collections of works from local artists. Many other small shops and fashionable restaurants have opened their doors to the throngs of visitors that have discovered this amazing renaissance. Maboneng and its vibrant culture are situated to the east of the Central Business District.
Montecasino
Visit an old Tuscan village while you're in Johannesburg in Montecasino. This large entertainment complex in Sandton recreates the ancient village of Monte Cassino. It is the site of three hotels, many outstanding and award-winning restaurants, and a large casino. Montecasino features the Teatro, the largest theater in South Africa, where you can catch ballets, comedy shows, plays, and concerts. One of the more unique attractions at Montecasino is the Bird Gardens. This large aviary is home to 60 different bird species, which you can enjoy by walking through the pathways surrounded by lush gardens. Antelope roam freely through the grounds, and you'll also see turtles, chameleons, meerkats, lemurs, and many other mammals.
