Winter in South Africa brings crisp mornings, cosy fires, and some of the most beautiful sunsets you’ll ever see. But it also comes with a less romantic reality: load shedding. For travellers, particularly those unfamiliar with the country’s power challenges, it can be a frustrating surprise. Load shedding, the scheduled and sometimes unscheduled power cuts implemented to manage strain on the national electricity grid, can affect everything from heating and lighting to restaurant dining and digital connectivity. Yet, with a little planning and a few practical tips, you can still enjoy a seamless travel experience while exploring South Africa’s winter charm.

First off, it helps to understand that load shedding is often more frequent during winter. The colder temperatures mean higher electricity consumption, especially in the evenings when households and businesses rely on heating appliances. For travellers staying in areas like Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, or more remote towns such as Clarens, Dullstroom, or Franschhoek, knowing when the power will go off is half the battle won. The good news is that South Africa has developed reliable tools for tracking load shedding schedules—apps like EskomSePush and City Power’s platforms allow you to check by suburb and plan around outages.

Accommodation is a big consideration. Many hotels and guesthouses have adapted by installing inverters, solar panels, or backup generators. When booking, check whether your chosen spot offers power backups, especially if you’ll be working remotely or relying on Wi-Fi for bookings, navigation, or streaming. Places like The Peech Hotel in Melrose, Johannesburg, or Majeka House in Stellenbosch, for instance, provide seamless experiences even during power cuts. For more remote stays, like those in the Drakensberg or Cederberg mountains, it’s worth confirming what kind of backup systems are in place, if any.

Dining out during load shedding can be a mixed bag. Some restaurants close during power outages, while others run smoothly with gas stoves, candles, or battery-powered lighting. Establishments that cater to tourists usually have a plan in place, but it’s always good to call ahead, especially in smaller towns. In Cape Town, places like The Pot Luck Club in Woodstock or Aubergine Restaurant in Gardens often operate unaffected thanks to generators. Similarly, Marble in Rosebank, Johannesburg, and 9th Avenue Waterside in Durban continue to offer great meals even during blackouts. If you’re heading to the winelands, Babel Restaurant at Babylonstoren runs efficiently thanks to solar infrastructure.

Winter travel also means you’ll likely rely more on electric heaters, heated blankets, or underfloor heating—none of which work during load shedding unless backup power is available. If your accommodation doesn’t have alternatives, consider packing extra layers, a travel blanket, and even a hot water bottle. Battery-powered LED lamps or headlamps are lightweight and can be a lifesaver during dark evenings. A power bank is another essential; during extended outages, you’ll want your phone charged to access maps, schedules, or call for help if needed.

On the road, load shedding can affect traffic lights and fuel stations. Major cities are usually equipped with backup power at major intersections, but delays can still occur. If you’re self-driving through the Garden Route or around Mpumalanga, keep in mind that some rural fuel stations may not be operational during outages. Fill up when you’re near a bigger town or when you reach half a tank. In cities like Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, or Nelspruit, give yourself extra time to get around, especially during peak hours.

Wi-Fi and mobile reception can be patchy during power cuts, particularly if you’re in more isolated areas. Networks do have battery backups, but these can run out during prolonged outages. If you’re relying on connectivity, try to download offline maps, travel documents, or entertainment in advance. Cafés and coworking spaces with backup power can also serve as great stopovers during daytime cuts. In Knysna, for example, African Bean Coffee Co. is popular among digital nomads for its strong coffee and reliable power. Likewise, Truth Coffee in Cape Town offers not just award-winning brews but a good place to wait out an outage.

For international travellers, it’s helpful to build some flexibility into your itinerary. Activities that rely on electricity—like museum visits, certain guided tours, or indoor attractions—might be rescheduled or adapted depending on the load shedding stage. On the upside, winter is a great time for outdoor exploration: game drives in Kruger National Park, hiking in the Drakensberg, or meandering through weekend markets in Riebeek-Kasteel or Hermanus don’t require electricity and can be enjoyed regardless of the grid status.

South Africans, by and large, have learned to adapt. There’s a casual resilience and humour around load shedding that can be surprisingly refreshing. Locals will tell you which places to avoid during outages or recommend the best battery-powered gadgets they swear by. Some travellers even find that being forced offline now and then adds to the magic of their trip—it creates space to slow down, enjoy a glass of wine by candlelight, or reconnect with the quieter parts of life. You might just discover your best holiday memory during a blackout.