We've been exploring the idea of a trip to South Africa for some time now - we would be using frequent flyer miles next summer. So our options would either be to fly into Johannesburg or else head to Kenya. Originally I was thinking of something like:
Joburg 3 nights
safari - 3 night
Capetown - 3 nights
Garden route including safari 6 nights

(ok that is very rough but you get the idea) but reading about the drought it Capetown in feels irresponsible to me to add two more water users to their troubles. Now I imagine the people in the tourism industry would say come anyway - we need the jobs.

what are the thoughts of those of you who live there or in the area. Would there be a way to do the trip by skipping Capetown and flying straight to Port Elizabeth.? Is there a reasonable way to do the Garden route and then go to the area around Durbin? your insights are much appreciated

Do you mean the South African summer, or the northern hemisphere summer?

Just returned from two weeks in Cape Town, and have in-laws who live there. Tourists will do more harm to Cape Town by staying away than by coming and using the small amount of water (only 1%) they add to the total consumption of this city of 4m people. If, while in Cape Town, you are careful with water use (quick showers, not leaving the tap running, etc) you will be making your contribution. Cape Town has several ongoing projects to augment the water supply, and is hoping the winter rains, which usually start in May, will be plentiful this year.

My Cape Town Mar-Apr 18 Flickr album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/heimda...57690316621650

Thanks Heimdall, and I meant the N.A. summer, ie June 2019 - so very preliminary inquiry but we were concerned.

You obviously know June is winter in South Africa. Winters in Cape Town are like an average summer in the UK where I live. It's interesting that Joburg and Cape Town have different rainfall patterns. Cape Town gets most of its rain in winter, while other parts of South Africa get summer rains. It will probably be dry in Joburg and Kruger NP (good for game viewing), and raining (with any luck) in Cape Town when you are there.

Hopefully if there are good winter rains this year and next in the Cape, the drought will have ended by the time you get there. It's been said that it will take 2-3 years of good rainfall in the catchment areas for the dams to get back to pre-drought levels.

excellent - thanks for the advice

The drought is pretty much over, but you are so right!

We had a major drought issue, but this was not caused by tourists, who do not abuse water as some local media outlets were claiming. And the local Cape Town municipality (government) made a huge mistake with the whole 'Day Zero" campaign. It resulted in our drought making worldwide news for months, driving away droves of tourists.

Even now, a year on from the drought, tourism numbers are down. It is really sad as tourism is one of Cape Town's main industries