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Africa in February
Gorilla trekking, migration safaris & Green Season prices – find out where to go in Africa in February with the experts.
February in Africa and the short drier season is holding true across much of East Africa. Summer here is usually wet but the first two months of the year offer some respite from the rain and it’s a great time for two of Africa’s biggest wildlife experiences: gorilla trekking in the forests of Uganda and Rwanda, and the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti.
Other classic safari destinations are putting on a dramatic show – Victoria Falls is almost in full flood in February and Ngorongoro is in calving season – and although you can probably expect a bit of rain on your safari, there is still good wildlife viewing in places from Botswana to the Masai Mara. You’ll also be able to take advantage of shoulder-season rates for accommodation as well as pay-stay deals where, for example, you pay for five nights but stay for seven.
And to compensate for the possibility of rain on safari, it pays to add on a beach holiday. Zanzibar is nice and hot at this time of year but if you’d prefer things as dry as possible then Cape Town is lying under sweltering blue skies in February – and with no big holiday crowds around, it’s a great time to visit.
Serengeti NP | Gorilla Trekking | Zanzibar | Ngorongoro | Cape Town/Garden Route | Victoria Falls | Masai Mara
1. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
With up to 8000 births a day, the wildebeest calving season in February is at its peak. By the end of it, some half a million baby antelope will have been born and that is irresistible news for Africa’s predators. Hunters and scavengers big and small descend on the southern Serengeti and the result is some of the most primal nature viewing you are likely to see. There’s also plenty of resident wildlife – elephants, giraffe and buffalo – and the landscape is healthy and green – great for photography.
Choose between established lodges in the area and ‘migration camps’ – semi-permanent tented camps that are set up on the migration routes themselves, thus ensuring amazing game viewing even from camp.
INSIDER TIP: “Get the most out of your shoulder-season safari with long-stay specials – ask us about the current best deals.”
Other Great months for Serengeti: October through January; March through August
2. Gorilla Trekking, Uganda & Rwanda
You’ll need to make a choice between gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda; both have the same success rate at finding gorillas on a daily basis (90%) so the decision is largely down to budget and time. Uganda tends to be the more affordable of the two, for example, whereas Rwanda offers a quicker all-round gorilla experience.
You’ll need to be prepared for some rain on your gorilla trek – this is not the mid-year dry season – but in general the weather is much better than the coming few months.
INSIDER TIP: “Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is generally easier than in Uganda: travel time to the rainforest is shorter & the trekking is easier which makes it popular with older or less fit travellers.”
Other Great months for Gorilla Trekking: December & January; June through September.
3. Zanzibar, Tanzania
Lying off the coast of Tanzania, the island of Zanzibar makes the ideal combination with a safari. It’s a destination that built its reputation as a trading post between civilisations and you’ll see that reflected in the architecture and culture, especially if you wander around the streets of historic Stone Town.
Zanzibar is popular with families – there are child-friendly resorts – as well as with couples and honeymooners, and its accommodation ranges from beach lodges and private villas to boutique hotels and guesthouses with views over Stone Town. And if you are a diver, then February is one of the best months to get underwater, not least because it’s when whale sharks are migrating along the coast.
INSIDER TIP: “There’s more to Zanzibar than its beaches: include history & cultural tours in your itinerary to get the most out of the Spice Island.”
Other Great months for Zanzibar: June through September (mild & dry); December & January (hot & mostly dry).
4. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
A sunken volcanic crater packed with wildlife, Ngorongoro is a popular destination at most times of the year but February offers an equitable balance between weather and visitor numbers. There may be some rain and cloud but it’s not nearly as busy as later in the year and so now is the time to look for accommodation deals.
You can choose between staying in the area or at lodges set right on the edge of the Ngorongoro crater itself where the views are sensational. Activities are restricted to game drives in the crater but with all the heavyweight wildlife round, you’ll be glad to be inside a vehicle. This is Big 5 country (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard) and the resident wildebeest are in their calving season – it’s all action in the crater.
INSIDER TIP: “February is shoulder season & a good time for deals: ask us about ‘pay-5, stay-7 night’ packages or similar options.”
Other Great months for Ngorongoro Crater: December & January (some rain); June through September for the dry season.
5. Cape Town & Garden Route, South Africa
The holiday crowds have long returned home. All the top destinations – Boulders Beach, Camps Bay, Cape Point, Table Mountain – are a lot easier and more pleasant to visit and the local roads are much quieter too – good news if you are planning a self-drive holiday.
There’s lots to do in and around Cape Town and the nearby Winelands but this is a great time of year to travel along the Garden Route and see for yourself why the region is so popular. Make sure you stop in at De Hoop for a couple of nights: the Cape’s best-kept secret is about to get out of the bag – see it before it does.
INSIDER TIP: “Take advantage of Green Season rates & travel to Botswana’s classic destinations such as Chobe & the Kalahari; there’s great wildlife viewing & birding, excellent predators plus a zebra migration.”
Other Great months for Cape Town & Garden Route: December, January & March for the dry summer; April & May for milder weather; August, September & October for whale watching & flowers.
6. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe & Zambia
Prepare to get wet. Not so much from rain – although there is a bit around – but Victoria Falls is almost in full flow and the result is a billowing cloud of mist and spray that soaks all onlookers. Victoria Falls in February gives you the chance to experience the sounds and sights that a mile of water makes as it thunders into a deep abyss – perhaps best appreciated from the air on a helicopter or fixed-wing scenic flight.
After you’ve had your fill of the waterfall, you can then look forward to a range of other activities in the area ranging from rhino tracking and elephant-back safaris to canoe trips and game drives. You’ll need to choose between staying in Zimbabwe or Zambia but both sides of the river have a wide range of accommodation and it’s easy to cross the border if you need to.
INSIDER TIP: “There are plenty of Green Season deals around on both sides of the river – ask us about special packages & pay-stay offers.”
Other Great months for Victoria Falls: March & April for the most water going over; June through October for the dry season – best time for safaris & white-water rafting.
7. Masai Mara, Kenya
Land of the famous red-robed Maasai people, the Masai Mara Reserve is most famous for the wildebeest migration but with the herds currently in Tanzania’s southern Serengeti, you may be wondering why February is a good time to come here. The answer will be apparent once you are there: many antelope are giving birth while the big animals – elephant, buffalo, giraffe and zebra – are concentrating on fresh grazing – all of which is good news for the Masai Mara’s predators – lion, spotted hyena, cheetah and leopard.
Choose your accommodation from lodges in the reserve itself and smaller camps set in private concessions where you’ll also have the chance to go on guided walks and night drives too.
INSIDER TIP: “Ask us for mid-season accommodation rates & special packages for safaris that include the Masai Mara.”
Other Great months for Masai Mara: December, January & March for general wildlife; June through October for the wildebeest migration.
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