February in Africa

Here’s what’s happening in February in Africa:

East Africa

February in East Africa is a lovely mid-summer month as it’s dry with lots of sunshine.
It’s calving season in the Southern Serengeti. This is the time of year when the million strong herd of wildebeest give birth, all within a 2-3 week period. Mass calving is a survival tactic to overwhelm the predators that lurk behind the bushes waiting for easy baby prey. It’s a season of bounty and excitement for lion, hyena, leopard, jackal, and cheetah. A truly spectacular scene for those lucky enough to be on safari in Tanzania during this time.
It’s the perfect time to enjoy the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. The dry weather on the East coast (Tanzania, Kenya) offers good snorkeling and diving conditions.
It’s also a great time to enjoy outdoor music and art fairs. Zanzibar’s lively streets welcome musicians from all over Africa during the annual Sauti za Busara festival.

Southern Africa

Botswana enjoys a hot but wet climate, and the flowering water lilies will brighten up your Okavango Delta safari this time of year. Excellent “summer” safari offers are sure to put a smile on your face too. This is high season for butterflies, birds, and frogs, that add a dash of color and a delightful soundtrack to your safari.
Lodges and camps on both banks of the Zambezi River are closed for the month of February as the summer rains make getting around very difficult.

Cape Town & Surroundings

South Africans commemorate the historic day, 2 February 1659, when Jan van Riebeeck recorded in his diary: “Today, praise be to God, wine was made for the first time from Cape grapes.” All around the country, the harvest season is in full swing, accompanied by weekly celebrations, festivals, country markets and village fairs.
Cape Town’s artists strut their stuff at the annual Cape Town Art Fair, a fantastic 3-day event showcasing South Africa’s most exciting artists in venues throughout the city.
Spanning ten days in late February/early March, Gay Pride Cape Town celebrates cultural diversity and creates awareness for LGBTQ issues in South Africa and beyond.