Most people have heard of the Serengeti, but not everyone knows that it is in Tanzania. This remarkable wildlife reserve is, however, just one of the reasons to come to this great African country. Wildlife is certainly one of the main attractions for visitors to Tanzania, but there are also the Indian Ocean islands of Zanzibar, Mount Kilimanjaro, unique cultures and stunning scenery. Here is our top 12 list of things to do.
What is the temperature like in Tanzania in February? It depends where you are! The mainland enjoys quite a range, from a cool 16°C (pack a jacket!) to a warm 29°C. If you are heading for one of our island paradises, you can expect it to be hot with lows of 23°C, up to a high of 32°C. Make sure you keep sun protection on hand!
February is definitely the best time of year to see wildebeest calves, with the migratory herds in full calving season. This usually happens in Ndutu in the southern part of the Serengeti where millions of wildebeest congregate to feed on the grasses and give birth to their calves…
February marks the end of our short rains, and so everything is lush, green, and humid. You may want to have a raincoat on hand for the scattered showers, but it’s worth it at this time of year since the scenery is absolutely beautiful. You also have the benefit of enjoying the highest average hours of sunshine that we get all year – and you know what that means…the best photographic conditions available countrywide!
Tanzania is a traveller’s paradise and there are so many beautiful accommodation options to choose from. February is part of our peak season for the Northern and Eastern circuits, which means that accommodations can get very busy.
On the other hand, it is much less busy in the Southern and Western circuits during February, so it depends where you would like to visit. If you need some advice, chat to us and we can help you choose the trip of a lifetime!
The sighting of a lifetime should be timed well, don’t you agree? So when is the best time to see the Great Wildebeest Migration? February is a wonderful time to see the migration in action and, even better, it’s the ideal time of year to see some calving. You could witness the birth of a wildebeest calf!
It’s a perfect time to see some newborn calves – and with an increase in babies, there’s an increase in sightings of the predators who hunt them. Nothing beats the thrill of witnessing a hunt in the wild, and if you visit us in February, your chances of viewing one in the flesh are excellent!
Your heart is set on adventure and the mountain awaits you. But when is the best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro? February is a great month for your climb – it’s warm and you are blessed with clear, sunny skies in the mornings and evenings, making the view all the more beautiful. The afternoons tend to bring some clouds and there’s a chance of rainfall.
February is probably the warmest month on the mountain, which is wonderful – but it can get crowded, as trekkers flock to Mount Kilimanjaro in February. Make sure that you book your trek with us well in advance so you can capitalise on getting your climb in during the warmest month.
Are you a birding enthusiast? February is one of the best times for you to visit Tanzania! So many migratory birds are not just visible but resplendent in their full breeding plumage, and bird-watching is at its finest, particularly in Tarangire National Park.
The birds enjoy the increased number of insects during the wet season, but humans tend to enjoy this a little less – pack some bug repellent to be safe! Oh, and of course the calving season means your chances of spotting babies are excellent.
February is one of our favourite times to visit Zanzibar. Let your worries melt away in the deliciously warm weather, with temperatures averaging a summery 35°C most days and cool down in the vibrant blue lagoons and bays populating Zanzibar’s coast.
The Zanzibar Archipelago is also fantastic for exploring: February is the perfect time to explore the seas to see pods of dolphins, take a tour of UNESCO World Heritage Site Stone Town, or even take a tour of the spice farms to see where the Spice Islands got their name from!
Mafia Island is a warm, welcoming, and wonderful place. February in Mafia is hot, humid, and oh so sunny. Lounge around on Mafia’s intimate beaches or cool off from the heat by taking a dive and exploring the exquisite ocean ecosystem surrounding the island.
Pemba Island, the lesser known of Tanzania’s spice islands, is a tourist’s paradise. Known as the ‘Green Island’ by locals, in February you can certainly expect this island to live up to its name. Be sure to pick up some local mangoes, coconuts, and bananas before hitting the beach!
February is a particularly good time to visit the Southern Circuit of Tanzanian parks for people who love to immerse themselves in the wildness of nature. Fresh from a short rainy season over November and December, January offers visitors lush, teeming wilderness.
While spotting game is not quite as easy in January as it is during the dry season, the Southern Circuit includes some of the biggest national parks in East Africa, let alone Tanzania. A visit to Ruaha or Nyerere will guarantee beautiful and memorable sights
February is a great time of year to visit Ruaha National Park if you are an avid birdwatcher. Migratory birds return in full breeding plumage, creating a beautiful display for bird enthusiasts. They feast on the array of insects available, which is wonderful for photos, but you will definitely want to bring along some repellent.
The southern circuit is much less busy in February, so this is an ideal time to capitalize on some privacy while viewing wildlife in our lush parks.
February offers you the delightful spectacle of the park’s nature in full bloom. Because the park is more often frequented in the dry season, going in February will offer you a more intimate experience. February is an excellent time to visit the park if you are an avid birder, as it is peak migration season.
The Mahale National Park feels like a prehistoric jungle in February. While the most famous inhabitants, the chimpanzees, are higher in the mountains in February, the densely-forested and remote park offers a glimpse of nature untouched by human beings with its flora flush and blooming from rain.
Slip out of the traditional and jump headfirst into the unknown by visiting Katavi National Park. February’s weather makes the deep jungles and wild, rolling plains of Katavi bursting with life. Trekking through Katavi in February feels like a legitimate adventure with how quiet the park is at this time of year.
February in western Tanzania is in the middle of the region’s wet season. While this may be off-putting to some, to others this can be the adventure of a lifetime. Delightful warm temperatures, wild rainstorms, and jungles and grasslands bursting with life await you in Gombe this time of year!
Asili Explorer is a sustainable travel agency that offers authentic and unforgettable adventures for curious travelers seeking meaningful experiences around the world.
The team is fully vaccinated against COVID.
