Wildlife in February.
The bush is full of young animals: impala lambs, tsessebe and wildebeest calves, and the predators that follow them. The Kalahari’s antelope are still on the short grass of the fossil valleys, and the black-maned lions are with them. On the pans, zebra and wildebeest graze the open grasslands.
February is also a peak month for birds. Migrants from Europe and the rest of Africa are here, residents are in breeding colours, and the wetlands are alive with storks, herons and kingfishers. In the Delta, game is spread out, but private concessions with off-road driving still produce excellent predator sightings.
Where to go in Botswana in February.
Nxai Pan and the Makgadikgadi
The zebra and wildebeest are still on the grasslands, with lion and cheetah nearby. See Nxai Pan.
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Still excellent, with the antelope herds and their predators in the valleys. See the Central Kalahari.
Private concessions in the Delta and Linyanti
Fly-in camps avoid the muddy roads, and off-road driving and night drives make up for thicker bush. See the Linyanti.
February weather in Botswana.
| Average high | 31°C |
|---|---|
| Average low | 19°C |
| Average rainfall | About 85mm, mostly afternoon storms |
| Season | Green season |
Hot and humid by day, warm at night. A typical day starts clear, builds cloud after lunch and breaks into a storm in the late afternoon. Totals vary a lot from year to year: a dry February is common, and so is a wet one.
Figures are long-term averages for Maun, the gateway to the Delta. See the full climate table.
Prices, crowds and booking.
Rates stay at their green-season lows, up to 40% below peak, and some camps add free nights for longer stays. There is no festive surcharge, and availability is the best of the year. A few camps and most mobile operations close for part of the month; we tell you which are open on your dates before you plan around them.
What to pack for February.
Light layers, a packable rain jacket, and a dry bag for cameras on open vehicles. Take antimalarial advice for the north, and pack a strong repellent.
Our packing guide has the full checklist and the soft-bag rules for light aircraft.
Journeys that suit February.
- The Zebra Migration: 6 days on the Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan, December to March only.
- Kalahari & Meerkats: 5 days in the Central Kalahari and on the pans.
- Delta & Desert: 7 days: the Okavango, Moremi and the Kalahari, at any level.
Every journey is a private departure and can start on any day. We adjust the route to the month you travel.
