Brits, South Africa Travel Guide

City City in North West, near Pretoria

On the Highveld, Brits serves as a farm and mining town with weekend game farms nearby. Visitors come for angling, meat-heavy braais, market stalls selling fresh produce, and as a base to explore the Magaliesberg and private reserves.

Main image
Brits Magistrates Court.jpg
Brits Plaque.jpg
Lethabong Library in Brits North West.jpg
Madibeng Library.jpg
Madibeng Local Municipality Building - Brits in North West.jpg
National Catholic Episcopal Church reciept 03.jpg
Oukasie Library building.jpg
Costs
Budget: $40-70 per day
Affordable motels and farm stays; car recommended for day trips.
Safety
Moderate - watch petty and property crime
Avoid isolated areas at night; take precautions against petty crime.
Best Time
March-October (dry season)
Pleasant weather and good visibility for Magaliesberg attractions.
Local Time
8:44 PM
GMT+2
Weather
Thunderstorm w/ Hail 66°F
Thunderstorm w/ Hail
Population
122,497
Infrastructure & Convenience
Car travel is best; some bus services and local shops available.
Popularity
Visited for outdoor activities and as a gateway to mining country.
Known For
platinum mining, agriculture, Magaliesberg mountains, fishing dams, game farms, rural tourism, citrus farms, manufacturing, weekend getaways, birdwatching
Brits lies within South Africa's Bushveld Complex, one of the world's richest platinum-bearing geological regions.

Why Visit Brits, South Africa? #

This North West town is a hub for fruit farming and outdoor recreation, attracting visitors who appreciate game farms and rural South African hospitality. Orchards, trout streams and private game lodges offer easy wildlife viewing and fresh produce experiences, while local festivals and markets highlight Afrikaner and Tswana traditions. It’s a practical stop for those exploring the province’s agricultural heartland and nearby nature reserves.

Best Things to Do in Brits, South Africa

All Attractions ›

Brits, South Africa Bucket List

Don't Miss
  • Brits Mall - Regional shopping centre with shops, eateries and local services in town.
  • Local agricultural markets - Markets where farmers sell fresh produce, flowers and seasonal goods.
  • Brits Heritage Route - Driveable route highlighting historical farms, monuments and local points of interest.
Hidden Gems
  • Weekend farmers' stalls - Small weekend markets offering homemade preserves, breads and farm produce.
  • Community arts spaces - Local venues hosting craft workshops, small exhibitions and cultural events.
  • Private game farms - Smaller reserves offering guided game drives and birdwatching without big crowds.
Day Trips
  • Hartbeespoort Dam - Popular reservoir area offering boat trips, cableway and craft markets nearby.
  • Magaliesberg - Mountain range with hiking routes, historical sites and wildlife drives a short distance away.

Best Time to Visit Brits, South Africa #

Brits sits in the North West with hot, rainy summers and cool, dry winters. For the nicest weather and fewer storms, travel during spring or autumn.

Summer
November - March · 16-32°C (61-90°F)
Warm, rainy summers with frequent afternoon thunderstorms-lush countryside but occasional travel delays from downpours.
Winter
June - August · -2-18°C (28-64°F)
Dry, chilly nights and sunny days; mornings can drop below freezing so pack layers for early starts.
Spring/Autumn
April - May & September - October · 8-26°C (46-79°F)
Comfortable, largely dry periods ideal for outdoor activities, wildlife viewing, and exploring without extreme heat or heavy rain.

Best Time to Visit Brits, South Africa #

Climate

Brits, South Africa's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in January) and cool winters (coldest in June). Temperatures range from 3°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (613 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit
AugustMaySeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
42°
Warmest Month
-3°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (109 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
18° 30°
59%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

109 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.9
UV Index
Extreme
13.4h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
17° 30°
59%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

86 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
12.8h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm).

85 Excellent

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
16° 29°
58%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

69 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
12.1h daylight

April

April is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm).

85 Excellent

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
12° 26°
58%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

47 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
11.4h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 7°C. Light rainfall and clear sunny skies.

93 Ideal

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
24°
49%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

19 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.2
UV Index
High
10.8h daylight

June

June is the coolest month with highs of 21°C and lows of 3°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

87 Excellent

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
21°
49%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

7 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
10.4h daylight

July

July is the coolest month with highs of 21°C and lows of 3°C. The driest month with just 5 mm and clear sunny skies.

87 Excellent

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
21°
43%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

5 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
10.6h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 6°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

95 Ideal

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
24°
37%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

6 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
11.1h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 11°C. Light rainfall and clear sunny skies.

93 Ideal

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
11° 27°
33%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

15 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
11.8h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

88 Excellent

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
14° 29°
42%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

54 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
12.6h daylight

November

November is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
16° 29°
50%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

94 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
13.2h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
17° 30°
57%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

102 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.8
UV Index
Extreme
13.6h daylight

How to Get to Brits, South Africa

Brits is a road-accessible town northwest of Pretoria; most visitors arrive via Johannesburg airports and complete the trip by car, shuttle or minibus taxi. Passenger rail is limited, so expect to use road transport.

By Air

O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB): The major international gateway for Brits; road travel from OR Tambo to Brits is around 1-1.5 hours by car depending on traffic. Many travelers fly into JNB and continue by car or shuttle.

Lanseria Airport (HLA): Lanseria is an alternative for regional flights; drive time to Brits is typically about 50-80 minutes depending on route and traffic. Private transfers and car hire are common from Lanseria for shorter connections.

By Train & Bus

Train: Passenger rail options are limited around Brits; the region relies heavily on road transport. If you prefer rail you’d typically travel to Pretoria or Johannesburg and continue by road to Brits.

Bus / Minibus taxi: Minibus taxis and regional buses are the dominant public-transport modes connecting Brits with Pretoria, Rustenburg and Johannesburg. They are frequent at peak times but can be crowded and operate on informal schedules for some routes.

How to Get Around Brits, South Africa #

Brits is best navigated by car; local minibus taxis and metered taxis serve the town but services can be sparse outside peak times. Central parts are walkable for short errands, however many attractions are easier to reach by vehicle. If you need to travel regionally, buses and taxi services connect to Pretoria and Rustenburg; plan transfers in advance for off-hours travel.

Where to Stay in Brits, South Africa #

Budget
Central Brits - $15-40/night
Basic guesthouses and family-run B&Bs in central Brits cater to budget travelers. Online hotel websites are limited; phone reservations common.
Mid-Range
Near N4/Main Road - $40-90/night
A few comfortable small hotels and guest lodges offer decent amenities and parking. Expect modest facilities geared to business and transit stays.
Luxury
No true luxury cluster - $100+/night (outside town)
No major luxury resorts inside Brits; upscale travelers usually stay at Johannesburg or Sun City properties about an hour away.

Where to Eat in Brits, South Africa #

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Brits, South Africa's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Burger
Regional
Chicken
Italian
Sausage

Nightlife in Brits, South Africa #

Nightlife in Brits is small-scale and largely local: expect pubs, small clubs and restaurants that serve the community. The town doesn’t have a major nightlife scene, but there are neighbourhood options for an evening out. For a broader selection of bars and live entertainment, visitors typically travel to larger nearby centres.

Shopping in Brits, South Africa #

Shopping in Brits includes local markets, small shopping centres and agricultural-supply shops reflecting the town’s farming economy. You’ll find practical goods and local produce rather than high-end retail. For larger malls and brand-name stores, travel to nearby Rustenburg or Pretoria.

Nearby Cities #