Best destinations to visit in February in Africa
Best destinations to visit in February in Africa
February carries on much of what January started across Africa, with the continent still split between dry, sunny regions and green, rainy ones.
East Africa remains in its short dry spell, and wildebeest calving season in the Serengeta and Ndutu area often peaks in February, drawing wildlife watchers hoping to see newborn animals up close. Cape Town and South Africa's Cape region continue their dry, sunny summer, with warm days well suited to the coast. Safari regions further north in Botswana and Zambia stay in their green season, with lush scenery and thinner crowds, though wildlife can be more spread out across a landscape that no longer forces animals toward scarce water sources. North Africa remains mild and comfortable, good for exploring cities and markets on foot.
The destinations on our list for Africa reflect that same mix of dry season wildlife viewing and quieter, greener alternatives.
Lists by region
City in Egypt
Cairo
Where ancient history meets bustling life
The Great Pyramid of Giza is about 4,500 years old. Pharaoh Khufu built it as his tomb. February days are mild and dry, so walking the plateau is easy. The nearby Grand Egyptian Museum has the full Tutankhamun collection, with more than 5,000 items shown together. Khan el-Khalili market has traded since the 1380s.
Road in South Africa
Garden Route
Scenic vineyards and coastal cliffs
The Garden Route runs along the coast from Mossel Bay to Storms River. Summer days in February are long, with plenty of beach weather. Cape fur seals rest on the rocks below Robberg Nature Reserve trails. A short walk in Tsitsikamma National Park leads to a swaying suspension bridge above the river mouth.
City in Morocco
Marrakech
A vibrant maze of colors and spices
February days are mild and mostly sunny, with cool nights. Snow often covers the High Atlas peaks that rise south of the city. Food stalls fill Jemaa el-Fna square at dusk with grilled meat and steaming snail soup. Riads, old houses built around a courtyard garden, make quiet places to stay.
City in South Africa
Cape Town
Mountains, Beaches and a Vibrant Culture
Warm, dry air smells of salt and fynbos, a shrubland native to the Cape. Summer peaks in February with long days and little rain. Ride the cable car up Table Mountain, then swim near African penguins at Boulders Beach. The grape harvest in the nearby Winelands usually starts in late January or February.
Country
Senegal
Where desert meets tropical savanna
Dakar is farther west than any other mainland African capital. February is dry season with sunny days and sea breezes. Ferries reach Gorée Island in about 20 minutes. The Djoudj bird sanctuary near Saint-Louis fills with pelicans and other migrants from Europe. Lake Retba turns pink from algae in its salty water.
Nature Reserve in Tanzania
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Nature's Untamed Sanctuary
Maasai herders live inside the conservation area and graze cattle near zebras and wildebeest. The crater is a collapsed volcano about 12 miles wide with walls up to 2,000 feet tall. Its floor has lions, hippos and a small group of black rhinos. February is also calving season on the Ndutu plains nearby.
National Park in Tanzania
Serengeti National Park
The Ultimate Safari Adventure
The short grass plains around Ndutu are the calving grounds of the Great Migration. About 500,000 wildebeest calves are born there in a few weeks from late January. Lions, hyenas and cheetahs trail the herds to hunt the newborns. The grass is green after the short rains and zebras graze beside the herds.
National Park in Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Gorilla Encounters in Ancient Forest
Buhoma is one of four gorilla trekking sectors in the forest. Guides lead small groups up steep, muddy trails to find a habituated gorilla family. Bwindi has about half of the world's mountain gorillas. The forest has a dry season in February, so the paths are less slippery. Each group gets one hour with them.
National Park in Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park
Majestic volcanoes rise over misty valleys
Dian Fossey set up her research camp here in 1967 between the Karisimbi and Bisoke volcanoes. Trekkers now climb through bamboo forest to meet the mountain gorillas she studied. December to February is a short dry spell with firmer trails. Golden monkeys, a rare species, also live in the bamboo.
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