Reflections & Revelations

The coldest towns in South Africa, but still worthwhile to visit

Experience the crisp magic of South Africa's coldest destinations this winter.

The giant SALT telescope at Sutherland. Photo: Mariana Balt.

When winter arrives in the Southern Hemisphere, South Africa's interior high country transforms into a realm of frosty morning fields, snow-capped peaks, and crystal-clear night skies. While many chase the sun, travelling to the country's coldest towns reveals an undeniable winter charm, where warm hospitality, historic architecture, and crackling fireplaces create an unforgettable seasonal escape.

No discussion of cold towns is complete without Sutherland in the Roggeveld Karoo.

Famed as the coldest place in South Africa, this area frequently sees winter night temperatures plunge well below freezing. Yet, this extreme climate, combined with its high altitude and remote location, creates one of the clearer night skies in the world.

Visitors flock here to tour the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), home to the giant SALT telescope, before warming up with traditional Karoo lamb stews in local guesthouses.

Further east, in the Eastern Cape's Stormberg mountains, lies Molteno and the nearby Buffelsfontein farm, which holds the official record for South Africa's lowest recorded temperature (-20.1°C).

Nearby, the historic alpine village of Rhodes sits tucked beneath the highest peaks of the Southern Drakensberg. With its gravel streets, Victorian stone cottages, and proximity to the Tiffindell snowfields, Rhodes offers a quiet, snow-dusted retreat for hikers and mountain pass enthusiasts.

In Mpumalanga, the village of Dullstroom brings winter cold to the escarpment. Crisp mornings give way to blue-sky afternoons perfect for walking around local dams, visiting whiskey bars, or cosying up in boutique stone lodges. Embracing the cold reveals a cosy, romantic side of South Africa that few international travellers expect to find.