Diepkloof Rock Shelter

Cave Prehistoric rock shelter site with Middle Stone Age archaeology

Located in the Western Cape, Diepkloof Rock Shelter yielded Middle Stone Age deposits and engraved ochre fragments that inform studies of early symbolic behavior; archaeologists visit for excavation and research.

Best Time to Visit Diepkloof Rock Shelter #

Visit in spring or autumn (shoulder seasons) to avoid summer heat and winter rains and to have the most comfortable access to the site.

Summer (warm, dry)

Dec-Feb · 20-35°C

Hotter and drier - fieldwork and outdoor visits are generally easier but daytime heat can be intense in the Cape.

Winter (cool, wet)

Jun-Aug · 8-18°C

Cooler with the region's rainy season; heavy rain can limit access to sites and make terrain muddy.

Shoulder seasons (best balance)

Mar-May, Sep-Nov · 12-25°C

Mild conditions with lower rainfall than winter and less extreme heat than summer - generally the most comfortable times to visit archaeological sites.

Weather & Climate near Diepkloof Rock Shelter #

Climate

Diepkloof Rock Shelter's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in February) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 8°C to 30°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.

Air Quality: AQI 36 Good

Best Time to Visit

JanuaryFebruaryMarch

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

44°

Warmest Month

-1°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 16°C. The driest month with just 5 mm and mostly sunny skies.

98 Ideal

Comfort

23°

Feels Like Mild

23°C

Temperature

16° – 30°

49%

Humidity

Comfortable

Weather

5 mm

Rainfall

5.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

3.1

UV Index

Extreme

13.9h daylight

February

February is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 16°C. The driest month with just 5 mm and mostly sunny skies.

98 Ideal

Comfort

23°

Feels Like Mild

23°C

Temperature

16° – 31°

50%

Humidity

Comfortable

Weather

5 mm

Rainfall

4.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.7

UV Index

Extreme

13.1h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 15°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

96 Ideal

Comfort

22°

Feels Like Mild

22°C

Temperature

15° – 29°

52%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

10 mm

Rainfall

4.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.0

UV Index

Extreme

12.2h daylight

April

April is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 13°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

92 Ideal

Comfort

19°

Feels Like Mild

19°C

Temperature

13° – 26°

56%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

23 mm

Rainfall

3.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.3

UV Index

High

11.2h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm).

80 Excellent

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

10° – 22°

65%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

38 mm

Rainfall

3.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.7

UV Index

Moderate

10.3h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with 47 mm of rain.

76 Very Good

Comfort

14°

Feels Like Cool

14°C

Temperature

8° – 20°

73%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

47 mm

Rainfall

3.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.5

UV Index

Low

9.9h daylight

July

July is the coolest month with highs of 19°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

13°

Feels Like Cool

13°C

Temperature

8° – 19°

75%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

43 mm

Rainfall

3.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.5

UV Index

Moderate

10.1h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm).

78 Very Good

Comfort

14°

Feels Like Cool

14°C

Temperature

8° – 20°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

37 mm

Rainfall

3.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.8

UV Index

Moderate

10.8h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 9°C. Light rainfall.

82 Excellent

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

9° – 22°

72%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

23 mm

Rainfall

3.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.3

UV Index

High

11.8h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 25°C and lows of 11°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

94 Ideal

Comfort

18°

Feels Like Cool

18°C

Temperature

11° – 25°

63%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

13 mm

Rainfall

4.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.0

UV Index

Very High

12.8h daylight

November

November is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 13°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

94 Ideal

Comfort

20°

Feels Like Mild

20°C

Temperature

13° – 28°

56%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

10 mm

Rainfall

5.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.6

UV Index

Extreme

13.6h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 14°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

94 Ideal

Comfort

22°

Feels Like Mild

22°C

Temperature

14° – 29°

52%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

8 mm

Rainfall

4.8 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

3.0

UV Index

Extreme

14.1h daylight

Nearby Attractions to Diepkloof Rock Shelter

The Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour: The Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa

Pleistocene archaeological sites evidencing early modern human behaviour

Historical Site 40 m

Cederberg

Mountainous wilderness in Western Cape with sandstone formations

Mountains 63.4 km

Groot Winterhoek

Mountain range in Western Cape noted for wilderness

Mountains 102 km

Kouebokkeveld Mountains

Mountain range in Western Cape with fynbos vegetation

Plateau 118 km

Dassen Island

Offshore nature reserve near Western Cape, seabird sanctuary

Island 120 km

Hex River Mountains

Mountain range in Western Cape with steep gorges

Mountains 157 km

Robben Island

Former prison island where Nelson Mandela was held

Island 158 km

Afrikaans Language Monument

Sculptural monument commemorating Afrikaans language history

Monument 159 km