African Safari in February – suggested destinations

South Africa’s summer season continues in full swing so it’s still a great time to visit the Cape.or the Garden Route. The Eastern Cape is probably one of the best destinations for safari at this time of year.

Up in KwaZulu Natal, the turtle season comes to an end in coastal Maputaland as the last of the fragile hatchlings cuts through its egg and runs for the safety of the sea. Although only one or two in a thousand will survive, this population is one of the few in the world that is increasing in numbers.

Very hot up in the Cedarberg region – definitely not the best time to plan a walking trip there!

It’s still pretty hot up in the Greater Kruger Park. There’s also a high probability of afternoon rains and the denser vegetation makes the game harder to spot. But the bush looks magnificent and lush, birdlife is more abundant and animals give birth to their young during the summer months.

The rainy season is in full flow in other Southern African countries such as Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

However January to March is the perfect time to visit the Kalahari desert and Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana with the annual migration of zebra and wildebeest.

In Zambia it’s still hot and wet, with most of the lodges closed from mid November to April/May. However, Vic Falls is still accessible and flow levels over the Falls should be on the rise.

Good/excellent time for a safari in northern Kenya  such as Samburu Game Reserve or Laikipia as the dry, hot weather concentrates the game at water sources.

It’s a similar story in Uganda, though really any time is pretty good in this benign climate, where there is a fairly constant temperature year round.

A great time to be in the southern part of the Serengeti in Tanzania, where wildebeest are calving in stupendous numbers.

But it’s peak cyclone season in Madagascar, Mauritius and Mozambique so best avoided.

Recommended Countries / Areas

SOUTH AFRICA – Especially Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route, Eastern Cape, Northern KwaZulu Natal

KENYA, UGANDA and TANZANIA – This is calving season in the Ndutu area of the Southern Serengeti when the grass is fresh and plentiful. So plains game animals move little and predators feed equally well.

BOTSWANA – Especially the Kalahari Desert & Makgadikgadi Pans. Take advantage of the excellent green season specials

Enquire now for more on the best places to go in February