If you're thinking of travelling in February but don't really know which countries and regions are best for this time of year, this guide is for you! I hope my top recommendations for luxury holiday locations and experiences in February inspire your holidays to Africa, Asia or Latin America!
The following is simply a guide and I would urge you to contact me to discuss in detail the months in which you intend to travel, as well as the country or region because each place comes into its own at certain times of the year depending upon your interests.
By February, the short, tropical rains in southern Africa continues. This time of year sees days when huge storms and short rains occur. If your priority is a big game viewing safari, Tanzania and Kenya do not experience the heavy rains until April and May so both are excellent for game viewing in February.
The Great Migration's calving season is in full swing in the Serengeti, and all the cats are at their most active as they hunt among the large herds. This is Africa’s greatest wildlife phenomenon.
Green season in Tanzania’s southern Nyerere (Selous) National Park is the best time to track huge packs of wild dog hunting impala, a rare experience in most other months. Migratory northern carmine bee-eaters also make Nyerere National Park their home in February. This is the time to witness them dive bombing as your safari vehicle flushes out small insects and other prey.
Chad is also fantastic at this time of year and I recommend incorporating Zakouma National Park with its fabulous wildlife with the Ennedi region of the Sahara desert – perfect for those with a decent budget who are wanting to get off the beaten track.
With top experiences ranging from gorilla trekking in Rwanda, Uganda and the Republic of Congo, and uncrowded game viewing to scuba diving and wine tasting as well as watching the vineyards being harvested in the magnificent Cape, February is certainly not to be ignored for Africa. Find out more of our top places to go on safari in February on our 'When to visit Africa' page.
February is an excellent time to travel to Asia. Whether you are interested in ancient history and culture or are looking to immerse yourself in nature and wildlife-based experiences, large parts of South and Southeast Asia enjoy optimal weather conditions with gloriously warm and sunny days with very low humidity levels.
Although most travellers would imagine a hot tropical escape, for something a little unusual and utterly fascinating, consider visiting Hokkaido in northern Japan in February when the whole of the Sea of Okhotsk gets covered in drift ice. It is a truly phenomenal sight and also a great time for spotting unique wildlife including spotted and ribbon seals, cliones, Blakiston’s fish owls and White-tailed and Steller’s Sea eagles.
In India, the conditions in the lush jungles of North and Central India are ideal for a thrilling tiger safari, and by mid-February, the temperatures in the foothills of the Himalaya begin to rise, making it a very good time for hiking and trekking. In a stark contrast, if you can bear extreme weather conditions, February is an excellent time to go on a snow leopard expedition in the higher Himalayan region of Ladakh.
Like January, Sri Lanka and the Maldives continue to enjoy glorious weather throughout this month. In Vietnam the central regions are fully out of the wet season and dry, bright weather can be enjoyed across the country. If you are planning a multiple-country trip, February is amongst the best months to travel in Southeast Asia. You can find more inspiration for your travels to Asia in February on our 'When to visit Asia' page.
February is the middle of summer in the Southern Hemisphere and so this is a wonderful time to travel to most parts of South and Central America.
For Central America, this is a dry month with very little rain, meaning comfortable conditions for exploring. In Costa Rica’s rich bio-diverse Osa Peninsula, the dry months are great for taking walks into the the fascinating rainforest with expert guides to see all the stunning flora and fauna. My top place to stay is at beautiful Lapa Rios, where you will find lots of active and relaxing experiences to suit all tastes, and the most stunning views from the villas!
Although the Galapagos Islands are an all-year destination, February is a great month to visit. The weather is temperate and the seas gentle. My favourite luxury sister ships Origin or Theory offer excellent accommodation and guiding for those that love being on the ocean, as well as the opportunity to kayak or snorkel with sea lions, dolphins, whales and tame sharks.
Yet not everything is water-based; when you venture ashore you can hike ancient lava fields, witness the courtship dance of the blue-footed boobies and see the sea lions lazing on the pristine beaches.
If you would like any more information about any of these locations in Africa, Asia or Latin America, you can get in touch with me at [email protected] . Alternatively, if you would just like to dream for now, you can do so at our Video Library.
Images by kind courtesy of Brian Meier (Chad), Scott Ramsay and Legendary Expeditions (cheetah in tree) and Soneva Fushi (header picture)
