Makapansgat

Archaeological Site Karst cave and paleoanthropological site with early hominin fossils

In Limpopo’s Makapan Valley, Makapansgat is an archaeological site with limestone caves and fossil deposits tied to early hominins; visitors explore interpretive trails, viewpoints and nearby heritage museums.

Main image
Makapansgat
Makapansgat (Makapansgat Valley), Limpopo Province, South Africa
-24.1586, 29.1769

Tips for Visiting Makapansgat #

  • Makapansgat is an archaeological/palaeontological site with access restrictions-contact local tourism offices or site managers in Limpopo to arrange guided access or permits before you go.
  • Plan visits in the cooler months or mornings for more comfortable conditions and arrange a guide to understand the significance of the fossil finds and cave sites, as unguided access may be prohibited.

Best Time to Visit Makapansgat #

Visit in the dry months (roughly April-October) for cooler, drier conditions and easier access to outdoor sites.

Wet (summer)
Nov-Mar · 20-35°C
Hot and humid with summer thunderstorms-vegetation is lush but heavy rains can make trails slippery.
Dry (autumn to spring)
Apr-Oct · 10-25°C
Cooler, drier and generally the best time for visiting archaeological features and for easier walking and visibility.

Weather & Climate near Makapansgat #

Climate

Makapansgat's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in January) and cool winters (coldest in June). Temperatures range from 4°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (677 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 57 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
SeptemberOctoberApril
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
39°
Warmest Month
-2°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the warmest month with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (123 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
15° 26°
65%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

123 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.9
UV Index
Extreme
13.3h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
15° 26°
65%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

102 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
12.8h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
14° 25°
66%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

76 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
12.1h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm).

87 Excellent

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
11° 23°
64%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

40 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
11.4h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 7°C. Light rainfall and clear sunny skies.

83 Excellent

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
21°
56%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

15 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.2
UV Index
High
10.8h daylight

June

June is the coolest month with highs of 19°C and lows of 4°C. The driest month with just 6 mm and clear sunny skies.

87 Excellent

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
19°
57%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

6 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
10.5h daylight

July

July is the coolest month with highs of 19°C and lows of 4°C. The driest month with just 6 mm and clear sunny skies.

87 Excellent

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
19°
54%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

6 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
10.7h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 6°C. The driest month with just 6 mm and clear sunny skies.

87 Excellent

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
21°
48%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

6 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
11.2h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 10°C. Light rainfall and clear sunny skies.

93 Ideal

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
10° 24°
45%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

18 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
11.8h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

88 Excellent

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
12° 25°
52%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
12.5h daylight

November

November is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (110 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
14° 25°
58%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

110 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
13.2h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (122 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
15° 26°
63%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

122 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
13.5h daylight

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