What's the weather like in Johannesburg in April
Temperature
April signals the beginning of fall in Johannesburg as the average daytime temperature drops to 16°C. Daytime highs average 22°C, and the nights cool down to 10°C. Temperatures have been known to get as low as 5°C, and April does continue to cool as the month progresses.
Rainfall
Johannesburg's rainy season is finally over in April, with rainfall totals now only averaging 40mm. Johannesburg sees an average of eight days of rain in April. By the end of April, the chance of rain in Johannesburg is only 12%.
Sunshine Hours
Johannesburg sees on average nine hours of daylight in April, despite the decrease in rains. The days are becoming significantly shorter, now only 11 hours 8 minutes between sunrise and sunset by the end of the month. The chances of a mostly cloudy or overcast sky decrease from 22% at the beginning of the month to only 15% by the end of the month.
Humidity
Humidity levels steadily decline throughout the month of April. Relative humidity is down to 56% by the end of the month, and the humidity levels will continue to drop through August.
Wind
As the seasons switch in April, so do the winds, as they've been recorded coming from all directions more or less equally. The average wind speed throughout April is a steady 3.0 m/s.
Dress Code
You may want to consider bringing a sweater in April, as the nights can start to get chilly. The good news is that you won't have to bring your heavy raingear, though a light waterproof jacket may serve you well. Be sure to check the Johannesburg forecast right before your trip. Johannesburg in general dresses quite casually unless you're there for business or going out to eat at an elegant restaurant.
Johannesburg Hotels in April
54 On Bath
The five-star 54 On Bath hotel is situated in the heart of Rosebank in a charming historic brick building. This hotel is perfect for the romantic getaway, business trip, or family vacation. The 75 rooms all have simple yet elegant furnishings and large bathrooms with granite countertops. Large windows will provide you with views of either the gardens or city skyline. Breakfast is included for all guests, and you also have the option of lunch and dinner in their on-site restaurant featuring international dishes with bold flavors. 54 on Bath is located next to the Rosebank Mall and the Gautrain station.
The Peech Hotel
Once a condominium development, The Peech Hotel is now one of the top boutique hotels in Johannesburg. This four-star hotel is perfect for celebrating special occasions like anniversaries. This hotel only has 16 rooms and offers attentive, friendly staff to look after your every need. Standard rooms and suites are available, and the rooms are decorated with chic furniture and large bathrooms with rainforest showers. Their on-site restaurant features a seasonal menu with fresh ingredients and also hosts regular wine tastings. The Peech Hotel is located near Melrose Arch and its large assortment of shopping and restaurants.
Garden Court Eastgate
A great budget option for travelers is the three-star Garden Court Eastgate, near the O.R. Tambo International Airport and next to the Eastgate Mall. Their 157 en-suite rooms all have air conditioning, a safe, large flatscreen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Garden Court Eastgate features a fitness center, outdoor pool, and facilities for the business traveler. A large breakfast and dinner buffet is available for guests. The concierge services will make sure that your days' activities go off without a hitch, and the staff is known for their excellent service.
Hyatt Regency Johannesburg
Johannesburg's Hyatt Regency provides five-star accommodations in 244 rooms and suites. The rooms, as well as hotel grounds, are stylishly decorated with an African flair and offer fantastic views of the Johannesburg skyline. The hotel is perfectly situated in Rosebank, close to the Gautrain station and with easy access to Sandton and Braamfontein. Breakfast is included for guests and dinner is available at the award-winning oneNINEone restaurant, serving international fusion dishes with African inspiration. The Hyatt has one outdoor heated pool, a fitness center, and a luxurious health spa with a large treatment menu.
Bars and Restaurants
Thava Indian Restaurant
Curry lovers will appreciate the offerings at the moderately-priced Thava Indian Restaurant, located in Norwood. The owner hails from Kerala where a melting pot of cultures has produced some fine cuisine. In addition to the dozens of different curries offered, Thava also has delicious tikka and tandoori dishes. Service is always excellent and both locals and tourists alike often consider this the best Indian restaurant in South Africa. Thava is open daily from 11:30AM to 10PM and reservations are essential with as much business as they do.
Ristorante La Trinita
The award-winning Ristorante La Trinita is the perfect combination of wonderful atmosphere, affordable prices, great service, and authentic Italian food. All pastas are made in-house with local ingredients. The menu features the standard Italian dishes like pasta arrabiatta, fettuccine alfredo, and risotto. Other entrees including steaks and veal are also popular. They serve some of the best pizzas in Johannesburg and have an excellent antipasti menu. Ristorante La Trinita is on the outskirts of Johannesburg, near Kyalami Business Park, and can be difficult to find. But it's absolutely worth the effort. They're open Tuesday thru Sunday from noon until 10PM and reservations are recommended.
DW Eleven - 13
You'll enjoy a surprisingly comfortable laid-back atmosphere to go with the European-inspired fine dining at DW Eleven 13, located in Dunkeld West. The restaurant has a rotating menu, designed to ensure fresh, sustainable ingredients with explosive flavors. One of the more popular features of DW Eleven 13 is their pairing menu, offering a four-course meal with appropriate wine pairings. They can also offer this for vegetarians and the knowledgeable staff is ready to accommodate any other dietary need. The restaurant opens for lunch at noon Tuesday thru Sunday, and at 6:30PM for dinner from Tuesday thru Saturday.
Qunu Restaurant
Special occasions deserve a visit to Qunu Restaurant in Sandton. This elegant restaurant uses produce picked from their own garden every morning, incorporated in their African dishes of springbok, duck, ostrich, local beef, and seafood. Their expansive menu also features vegan and gluten-free options. Qunu serves up a sizeable breakfast buffet and also a la carte items. They also have a very popular Sunday brunch that often fills up fast. One of the things that makes their food that much better is their exceptional service and professional staff. Qunu is open daily from 6:30AM to 9:30PM and accepts reservations.
Things to do in Johannesburg in April
Ponte City in Hillbrow has had a turbulent, troubled past up until recent years. It's one of those attractions that draws tourists not for its beauty, but for its "train-wreck" aura and dark history. This hollow, cylindrical tower was once the tallest in Africa. During the dark times rubbish was piled as high as the fifth floor. It's now being revitalized, as is the greater Hillbrow neighborhood, and is home to galleries, markets, and cafes. It's still inner-city, but there are a number of guides that can take you through the area and educate you on the interesting and sad history of the area.
Magaliesburg Mountain Sanctuary Park
The Magaliesburg Mountains are some of the oldest mountains in the world, estimated to be over 100 times older than Everest. The unique geology provides an exciting area to explore. Magaliesburg Mountain Sanctuary Park is a private nature reserve that, on first look, you would think is artificial. That's just how extraordinary this mountain range is. This peaceful setting is perfect for viewing monkeys and klipspringers, going for a hike, and swimming in the clear pools. The park only allows 180 visitors per day, so advance booking is required.
Gold Reef City
One of the hottest attractions in Johannesburg is Gold Reef City, site of a large, old gold mine south of Johannesburg. The site is now the home of a casino and theme park transporting you to the late 19th century. The hotel & casino property features a large, gold fountain and buildings in colonial architecture. The casino features coinless slot machines and video poker, and table games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. The kids and adults too will love the theme park and its thrilling roller coasters and other fun rides. Entertainment venues always have something fun going on, including live shows and music. There are also a few dining options at Gold Reef City, and you're also right next to the Apartheid Museum.
Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site
Learn where your ancestors came from, what they looked like, and how they lived in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. The Sterkfontein Caves, an hour outside of Johannesburg, is one of the most spectacular things to see in South Africa. The cave tours are not for the claustrophobic, but you can walk through the sites where some of the world's oldest and most important human fossils have been found. Visitors not wishing to tour the caves will still be able to see fossil and illustrative exhibits in the large museum. This is a wonderful trip to make with children, and also features a restaurant and conference center on-site. Hours are from 9AM to 5PM every day.
