What's the Weather like in Johannesburg in November
Temperature
In November it's summer in Johannesburg, but thanks to the high elevation the temperatures remain fairly mild. The average monthly temperature in November is 19°C, two degrees shy of the hottest month of January. During the day you'll get average daytime temperatures of 25°C and nighttime temperatures of 13°C. These averages remain constant throughout the month with little warming trends.
Rainfall
November is Johannesburg's second-wettest month, with 120mm of rain over an average of 15 days of the month. The chances of rain increase from 37% in the beginning of November to 51% by the end of the month.
Sunshine Hours
Despite all of the rain, November in Johannesburg is still sunny. Thanks to the long days 13 hours 39 minutes by the end of the month you'll still get an average of 11 hours of sunshine. The chances of a mostly cloudy or overcast sky are 36%.
Humidity
The relative humidity in Johannesburg in November hovers right around 65%-68% for the entire month. Rainy weather systems will increase these levels while dry spells will decrease it. The air is still very comfortable thanks to the mild temperatures.
Wind
Winds are decreasing in November, with velocities of 4.0 m/s the first week of November and 3.6 m/s by the last week of November. Winds are mostly out of the north, with periods of westerly winds and occasionally from the south and east.
Dress Code
It's a good idea to plan for rain if you're visiting Johannesburg in November. Chances are it'll rain for half of your stay. The reasonable temperatures will call for comfortable clothing, be it shorts or loose pants, and short-sleeve shirts. Johannesburg is a casual city, so you won't need long pants and button-down shirts or nice dresses unless you plan on visiting restaurants that require it. Check the Johannesburg 14-day forecast for a better idea of what the weather will be like before you start packing.
Johannesburg Hotels in November
Southern Sun Gold Reef City
One of Johannesburg's hottest attractions is Gold Reef City, and many visitors to Johannesburg stay at their Southern Sun Gold Reef City hotel. This cozy four-star family hotel makes a great base for exploring Johannesburg. You'll also have immediate access to Gold Reef City and its theme park, casino, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The hotel has 38 rooms, including standard rooms and suites. Your accommodations will include comfortable king beds, ample bathrooms, and fashionable furnishings. The hotel grounds and staff emulate a late 19th-century mining town. Southern Sun Gold Reef City also has a conference center, fitness center, and child-sitting services available to guests.
The Winston Hotel
An outstanding choice for an intimate boutique hotel is the five-star Winston Hotel in Rosebank. This small hotel near the Rosebank Mall and Gautrain station features 30 elegant rooms. All rooms are decorated with stylish themes like an exciting safari room or a graceful manor house room. Courtyard and superior rooms are available with slightly different amenities, but you'll find that all rooms will meet your comfort needs. The hotel staff is more than accommodating and will ensure a wonderful stay. The Winston has an outdoor pool & pool bar, Mediterranean restaurant, and business conference center.
Monarch Hotel
One of the top-rated boutique hotels in Johannesburg is the five-star Monarch Hotel in Rosebank. This 12-room hotel is housed inside of an old historic post office building and the current hotel retains that charm. The luxurious accommodations will give you the best in comfort and class, with the warm bedrooms and large en-suite bathrooms. The Monarch also has a wonderful small restaurant with a rotating menu, serving only seasonal, fresh dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Their 24-hour concierge service is one of the best in Johannesburg. The Monarch Hotel is close to the Gautrain station, the large Rosebank Mall, and Planet Fitness.
Sandton Sun
Sandton is the neighborhood of choice for many visitors to Johannesburg. One of the best hotels in this neighborhood is the five-star Sandton Sun. This large hotel features 326 comfortable rooms with wonderful views of Sandton and greater Johannesburg. All rooms have modern furnishings, comfortable bedding, and 48" flatscreen TVs. Some of Sandton's best restaurants are in the Sandton Sun, such as the award-winning San Restaurant. The San Restaurant serves fresh, sophisticated dishes with a seasonal menu using locally-sourced ingredients. There's the San Deck, an upper-floor outdoor patio and lounge that also serves food and features live music. Guests of the Sandton Sun will also have access to a conference center, fitness center, and swimming pool.
Bars and Restaurants
The Local Grill
Johannesburg is known for its steaks and there are amazing steakhouses throughout the city. One of those steakhouses in Parktown North is The Local Grill. In addition to some of the best cuts of beef and venison you'll find in Johannesburg, this moderately-priced restaurant also serves fresh seafood and amazing barbecue. All of their meat is sourced from local, sustainable farms. Both a la carte and set menus are available for your choosing, as is a gluten-free menu. Choose the perfect wine to compliment your dinner from their extensive wine menu. The Local Grill is open daily from noon until 10PM. Reservations are recommended on the weekends.
Moyo Melrose Arch
The upscale Melrose Arch neighborhood has a large selection of excellent restaurants. One of the best African experiences is Moyo Restaurant. This is the perfect place to go for a business lunch or family dinner. The outdoor patio is perfect when the weather is nice and features live music to set the ambience. The indoor dining room has a warm atmosphere and is great for more private dinners. You'll find many amazing African dishes on the menu, including a number of tasty tagines and potjies, peri peri chicken, Moroccan lamb shank, and flame-grilled chermoula fish. There is something on the menu for all tastes and budgets. Moyo is open daily from 11AM to 11PM.
Restaurante Parreirinha
Portuguese restaurants are numerous in Africa, part of the colonial history. Restaurante Parreirinha in La Rochelle is fine example of Portuguese cuisine. This restaurant, a converted old police station, will satisfy all seafood lovers with their amazing unique plates of prawns, lobster, and various types of fish. Their most popular dishes are probably their large amazing skewers of fresh grilled vegetables, seafood, chicken, and beef. Restaurante Parreirinha offers both a la carte menus and set menus. If you decide to wear a tie to this restaurant, expect to donate it to the large collection of men's ties hanging from the ceiling. Restaurante Parreirinha is open daily from noon until 10PM, with the exception of being closed on Sundays.
Urbanologi
If you're in the Central Business District you should definitely stop in at Urbanologi for lunch or dinner. This contemporary restaurant has an amazing menu of fresh artisan dishes using the best local ingredients. The menu is mostly international with Asian influences. Some of their unique items include spider steak with passion fruit, chokka with a mango puree, and herb-seared venison in a sriracha emulsion. Urbanologi and the Mad Giant Brewery share the same space and often work together, giving visitors an experience they'll never forget. Urbanologi is open every day from noon until 10PM. They close at 4:45PM on Sundays.
Things to do in Johannesburg in November
South African National Museum of Military History
If you're caught in the rain, take shelter at the South African National Museum of Military History. One of Johannesburg's oldest museums, this large venue was established in 1947 to honor & preserve South Africa's participation in WWII. The museum has undergone numerous expansions and renovations throughout the years and now showcases one of the largest collections of military history in all of Africa. You'll be able to walk through the large galleries of tanks, aircraft, artillery, and personal effects. Learn about how South Africa was instrumental in the outcome of world history. The museum is located in Saxonwold and is open daily from 9AM to 4:30PM. This museum can take at least a few hours to explore, and up to a full day.
Johannesburg Parks
Johannesburg has a number of amazing parks to enjoy a picnic, go for a walk, or take a bicycle ride. The largest is the immense Johannesburg Botanical Garden. This park is next to Emmarentia Dam, which is also popular for canoeing and sailing. There are fine collections of roses, succulents, and trees in different corners of the park. Sandton Central Park is a much smaller green space but is perfect for escaping the fast-paced Sandton business district. The soft grass, shady trees, and beautiful walking paths will give you a great break. Bird enthusiasts will also want to visit the Melrose Bird Sanctuary at James and Ethel Gray Park, near Melrose Arch. Over 120 different species of birds live freely in this 10-hectare park featuring a small lake.
Take in the sunset at Northcliff Hill
When the skies are clear there's no better way to view the Johannesburg skyline than from the water tower at Northcliff Hill. It's one of the best places in Johannesburg to enjoy the sunset. On a clear day you can see as far as the Magaliesberg Mountains. This hidden gem in Randburg quietly fills up in the evenings with both locals and tourists who have found this spot. This is the second highest point in Johannesburg, and you can choose to either walk to the top or drive there, but there is limited parking. The water tower is located on Joseph Avenue.
Sandton City Mall
The largest, most affluent mall in Africa is the Sandton City Mall near Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton. It's easy to spend an entire day here and still not see all of it. There is something for everyone. Craft stands to purchase cheap, handmade souvenirs to remember your trip to Africa, outdoor outfitters to prepare for your safari, and top-of-the-line clothing stores where you can get the latest in fashion at reasonable prices. Sandton City also features a number of restaurants and cafes, as well as movie theaters. In all there are over 300 retailers in this massive complex and its many different shopping levels.
