GOOD TO KNOW

The Lowveld is subtropical, due to its proximity to the warm Indian Ocean and latitude. The Highveld is comparatively much cooler, due to its altitude of 2300m to 1700m above sea level. The Drakensberg Escarpment receives the most precipitation, with all other areas being moderately well-watered by mostly summer thunderstorms. The Highveld often experiences severe frost, whilst the Lowveld is mostly frost-free. Winter rainfall is rare, except for some drizzle on the escarpment. The differences in climate are demonstrated below by the capital, Nelspruit, which is in the Lowveld, an hour from Belfast on the Highveld.

Tanamera, at an altitude of 900 metres above sea level, falls within the summer rainfall area of South Africa. The average rainfall is more than 1 200mm per annum with even higher rainfall figures on the mountain slopes above Sabie. Most of the rain falls between October and April with the highest rainfall in January and February (170 – 190mm per month). Thunderstorms, with occasional hail, occur often but most of the rainfall is in the form of soft penetrating rain, often lasting several days.

The temperature ranges from 2° to 32°C with the warmest days in December (average 30°C) and the coldest nights in June (average 5°C). During late autumn / early winter the air is occasionally hazy due to timber growers burning firebreaks.