Month guide · Johannesburg · South Africa
Johannesburg in January
What January is really like in Johannesburg: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: NJR ZA, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 26°C (79°F), lows of 15°C (59°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 13.6 hours of daylight. Warm with frequent late-afternoon thunderstorms; the city is quiet early in the month while residents are still at the coast.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 26°C (79°F) / 15°C (59°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 13.6 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in January
January is the warmest month in Johannesburg: days average 26°C (79°F) against a yearly average high of 22°C (72°F), and nights fall to about 15°C (59°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with December (26°C (79°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 25°C (77°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 05:29
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 19:05
- Daylight
- About 13.6 hours
Autumn (March–May). Settled, sunny weather and cooling evenings; one of the most comfortable times for sightseeing and day trips.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 3 for crowds (the peak is October at 4) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in October). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in January
January has no major recurring festival in Johannesburg, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in January
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · Ormonde
Apartheid Museum
Go in the morning while you are fresh, and leave time for the temporary exhibitions on Mandela and the transition to democracy.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · Soweto
Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum
On 16 June 1976 police opened fire on students protesting against Afrikaans-language schooling, and 12-year-old Hector Pieterson was among those killed.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · Braamfontein
Origins Centre
Do it the day before visiting the Cradle of Humankind; the context makes the fossil sites far more meaningful.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
Historic site · Braamfontein
Constitution Hill
This former prison complex held Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and thousands of ordinary South Africans arrested under pass laws.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
What to pack
For highs near 26°C, lows near 15°C and 12 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Johannesburg?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, April–May and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Johannesburg in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Johannesburg?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Warm with frequent late-afternoon thunderstorms; the city is quiet early in the month while residents are still at the coast.
+How warm is Johannesburg in January?
Average highs are around 26°C (79°F) and lows around 15°C (59°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Johannesburg in January?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.