The Drakensberg mountain range is absolutely incredible in every season! If you are wondering what is the best time of the year for Drakensberg photography then the answer depends on the mood, colours, and story you want your images to tell. This seasonal guide will help you decide which time of year is right for you.
As a Durban-based wedding and portrait photographer who often works in the Champagne Valley and Monks Cowl, I’ve had the joy of photographing couples, families, and portraits here year-round. Each season offers something breathtakingly unique!
Summer and Winter view at Monks Cowl Reserve in The Drakensberg
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Hi, I’m Niki M – a wedding and portrait photographer based in Hillcrest, KZN. My work is filled with emotion, unposed moments and real-to-life colour. Photoshoots out in nature and unique outdoor weddings/elopements are my jam. The Drakensberg is truly one of my favourite places to capture them!
Looking for an amazing wedding and portrait photographer in the Drakensberg? Check out my work and reach out to learn more.
Autumn (March – May): Golden Colours and Soft Light
For many visitors, autumn is the best time for Drakensberg photography. The rumbling thunderstorms have passed, and the valleys settle into a calm, peaceful rhythm.
A rusty, earthy tone takes over as we move towards the colder months. Autumn, however, holds the perfect range of temperatures: not too hot during the day, and just chilly enough at night to get the fire going in your cabin.
Images (Left to Right): 1. Autumn light over the Injisuthi mountains 2. Injisuthi autumn grasses 3. An autumn wedding at Champagne Castle Hotel 4. The changing autumn leaves of the Champagne Valley 5. Autumn wedding portraits at Champagne Sports Resort 6. Misty Monks Cowl mountains in Spring 7. Autumn golden hour family portraits at Little Switzerland Resort
Photoshoots are incredible during this time of the year. The oak and plane trees around the Champagne Valley turn burgundy and then gold, the afternoon golden hour is absolutely spectacular, and the temperatures are perfect. Plus, cosmos flowers burst to life from late March to mid-April. This adds a gorgeous palette of wildflowers to the mix.
Most of the Drakensberg waterfalls and rivers still flow during the autumn months. Their levels are a bit lower than in the rainy months, adding to the peaceful vibe of the season.
If you want earthy tones, cosmos flowers and predictable weather, autumn is truly one of the best seasons for photography in the Drakensberg.
Images (Left to Right): 1. Wedding portraits in the Autumn cosmos flowers 2. An autumn stroll at Fernwood Lodge 3. Cosmos flowers bloom from March to April in South Africa
Winter (June – August): Crisp Air and Snowy Peaks
Dreaming of snowy peaks or cozy, misty mornings? Winter is often seen as the best time for Drakensberg photography if you love dramatic landscapes. The mountains are peaceful and most days are still warm unless a cold front is moving through.
Images (Left to Right): 1. Winter mountain views at Injisuthi 2. The colours of the winter season 3. Crisp morning leaves at Cathedral Peak Hotel 4. Winter grasses of the Central Drakensberg at Champagne Valley 5. Cold fronts moving through the Drakensberg in Winter 6. A snowy winter in the Drakensberg 7. Adventure family portraits at Monks Cowl Resort in Winter
Snow frequently dusts the higher peaks creating magical photo opportunities. Occasionally, snow reaches the lower slopes, giving couples and families a rare chance for snow-filled shoots. Whether the snow is high or low, the magic is still tangible and the photoshoot opportunities are incredible.
Winter skies are vivid blue and crystal clear, with very little rain. Trails are easier to navigate, making it the perfect time for adventurous photo sessions in the mountains.
Winter is fire-break season, so if you plan on visiting then be aware that there will be quite a few blackened areas as the dry grasses are burnt to prevent runaway fires. I have personally never found this to be a problem – there are still so many choices for photoshoot locations.
For couples who love crisp air, clear skies, and a touch of magic, winter might be the best season for Drakensberg wedding and portrait photography.
Images (Left to Right): 1. Wild horses of the Champagne Valley near Drakensburg Sun Resort 2. A puppy plays in the dry leaves outside Champagne Sports Resort 3. Cathkin Park at sunset
Spring (September – November): Wildflowers and Fresh Green Landscapes
Spring… A time of life, growth and excitement! The Berg slowly turns back into a lush and vibrant area as we travel through the spring months. Gasses turn green and suddenly everything is budding.
Images (Left to Right): 1. Wild Horses of the Champagne Valley 2. Fields of wheat in the Champagne Valley 3. Wild horses in the wildflowers during the Drakensberg spring 4. Maternity portraits in the spring blossoms 5. Drakensberg wildflowers 6. Mountaintop wedding portraits overlooking Lake St Bernard 7. Riverside family photos in the Drakensberg
Drakensberg spring has mild temperatures and clear days. This means you can comfortably head outside for hikes, activities and for your photoshoot.
Just as the migratory birds return, the weather starts to vary a little more with misty mornings and the slow return of beautiful puffy clouds. Wildflowers start to pop up all over the mountains and valleys too.
If you’re after wildflowers, blossoms, and fresh greenery, then spring is one of the best times for Drakensberg photography. It’s a season of colour, softness, and natural vibrancy.
Images (Left to Right): 1. Golden hour engagement session at Inkungu Lodge Boutique Hotel 2. A surprise engagement picnic at Inkungu Lodge Boutique Hotel 3. Spring wildflowers
Summer (December – February): Dramatic Skies and Flowing Rivers
Summer in the Drakensberg means drama… in the best way possible! As we head into summer the days get longer, and balmier. The Berg’s temperatures climb, clouds build, and thunderstorms happen almost every afternoon.
Images (Left to Right): 1. Wild Horses inside the Monks Cowl Reserve 2. Monks Cowl Rivers flowing strong 3. A storms rolls in over St Bernards Peak 4. Summer swims at the Monks Cowl natural pools 5. Pool time at Champagne Sports Resort 6. Summer rivers flow strong at Monks Cowl Reserve 7. Summer blackberries growing wild in the Champagne Valley
Clear skies of the colder months are replaced with dramatic clouds. Rivers run strong in the Drakensberg valleys as the afternoon summer showers roll in. Thankfully, swimming in the Berg’s endless rivers and natural pools is always the best way to cool off on long and hot summer days.
Outdoor Drakenberg weddings in the summer months must have an indoor Plan B. We can always play with timing to make sure you still have outdoor photos (that is where the flexibility comes in), but your ceremony and reception still have to be locked in.
If you love adventure, variety, and vibrant scenery, then summer is the best time for your Drakensberg photography session.
Images (Left to Right): 1. Golden hour portraits at Dragon Peaks Mountain Resort 2. Watching the summer thunderstorms roll in over Cathkin Peak from Inkungu Lodge Boutique Hotel 3. Summer brings butterflies to Monks Cowl Reserve
Final Thoughts: When Is the Best Time for Drakensberg Photography?
There’s truly no bad season in the Drakensberg! It’s about matching your vision with the mountains’ mood. Whether you are dreaming of golden autumn trees, snowy winter peaks, blossoming spring wildflowers, or dramatic summer skies, the Drakensberg delivers beauty in every season.
As a Durban-based wedding and portrait photographer, I love helping couples and families plan shoots that align with the season’s unique light and landscapes. In the end, the best time for Drakensberg photography is the one that feels most like you.
The Marble Baths at Injisuthi
Frequently Asked Questions About Drakensberg Photography
The best time for Drakensberg photography is definitely early morning or late in the afternoon. The hour after sunrise and before sunset are called the ‘golden hour’ and that is when the beauty of the sunlight and landscape really pop. My portrait photoshoots are usually scheduled to include the golden hour.
For weddings, many couples prefer March to May (autumn) or September to November (spring). These months have the most stable weather, stunning natural colours, and beautiful lighting conditions for your photographs.
If you’re visiting the Drakensberg in Winter then we can definitely do a photoshoot! Winter can be one of the best seasons for Drakensberg photography. Snowy peaks, clear blue skies and crisp mountain air create breathtaking backdrops for weddings, portraits, and lifestyle shoots. My tip is to layer up with clothing so that you are always prepared for the range of temperatures.
Absolutely! Summer thunderstorms usually happen in the afternoons and don’t often last long. When booking for a summer lifestyle photoshoot in the Drakensberg, I’ll always provide a few options with regard to dates and times, and then we’ll keep an eye on the weather forecast. Flexibility is the key!
Consider your preferred colours, weather, and mood. If you want golden, earthy tones choose autumn; snowy, crisp landscapes favour winter; wildflowers and fresh greenery are perfect for spring; and adventurous, dramatic skies suit summer.
I live for adventuring and for photography… put those together and I am in creative heaven! If you’d like me to tag along on your hike in the Drakensberg mountains, snapping photos as we go, then let’s get the adventure started!
I have written an article here which gives so much valuable information about what you should wear for your Drakensberg photos. Dive right in!
Check out this article on Drakensberg wedding venues that I wrote, which links to quite a few cool venues you could look at. Most of them function as hotels and event spaces.
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