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.
Diepkloof Rock Shelter at a Glance#
Address: Diepkloof Rock Shelter, Western Cape, South Africa
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
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 16° - 30° | 23° | 5 mm | mostly sunny | 49% | 5.2 m/s | 3.1 extreme | 13.9h |
| February | Ideal | 16° - 31° | 23° | 5 mm | mostly sunny | 50% | 4.9 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 13.1h |
| March | Ideal | 15° - 29° | 22° | 10 mm | mostly sunny | 52% | 4.0 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 12.2h |
| April | Ideal | 13° - 26° | 19° | 23 mm | mostly sunny | 56% | 3.2 m/s | 1.3 high | 11.2h |
| May | Excellent | 10° - 22° | 16° | 38 mm | some cloud | 65% | 3.0 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.3h |
| June | Very Good | 8° - 20° | 14° | 47 mm | some cloud | 73% | 3.0 m/s | 0.5 low | 9.9h |
| July | Excellent | 8° - 19° | 13° | 43 mm | mostly sunny | 75% | 3.5 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.1h |
| August | Very Good | 8° - 20° | 14° | 37 mm | some cloud | 78% | 3.2 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.8h |
| September | Excellent | 9° - 22° | 16° | 23 mm | some cloud | 72% | 3.6 m/s | 1.3 high | 11.8h |
| October | Ideal | 11° - 25° | 18° | 13 mm | mostly sunny | 63% | 4.5 m/s | 2.0 very high | 12.8h |
| November | Ideal | 13° - 28° | 20° | 10 mm | mostly sunny | 56% | 5.1 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 13.6h |
| December | Ideal | 14° - 29° | 22° | 8 mm | mostly sunny | 52% | 4.8 m/s | 3.0 extreme | 14.1h |
