Botswana Safari in February

Botswana Safari in February

By Antoinette Van Heerden

Safari Travel Planner

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Why visit Botswana in February

This time, lodges and safari experiences aren’t at their peak yet. That means you have a couple of options, your chances of availability remain outstanding, and the cost of your experience low.

Since calving season takes place in January, you also have the opportunity to see smaller game life and gorgeous green landscapes, contrary to peak game season, which is dryer and abundant in game life.

Weather in February

The rainy days persist during February, but they begin to lessen slightly. On the bright side, though, this month sees 244 hours of sunshine. The presence of the sun means you won’t spend your days in Botswana under the clouds all the time. In other words, your comfort levels will remain pleasant.

While game viewing improves in some regions, wildlife remains dispersed due to abundant water. This means wildlife only moves around occasionally to find water to drink. However, minimal wildlife presents bird-watching opportunities.

Travelling to Botswana for your adventure during February may not sound like the ideal time. Still, it has perks that you’ll either love or pass on – Depending on your preferences, like a complete safari experience. Either way, you’ll get something out of the deal.

Pros

• Warmer weather – although it rains, the heat still hangs around
• Calving season – this season, some animals give birth to their young
• Birding opportunities – the bird migration allows seeing a variety of species

Cons

• Wildlife remains dispersed
• Balance of cloudy and sunny days

National Parks to Visit in Botswana and Why

Okavango Delta

The Okavango Delta is generally best in the dry season, which runs from April to October. However, it is still possible to see animals in the park, but it will be a lot harder to spot since water levels tend to limit activities.

What to do:

• Walking safaris
• Night game drives
• Mokoro trips

Moremi Game Reserve

The ideal time for wildlife watching is typically the dry season, when you can see large concentrations of red lechwe, impala, blue wildebeest, and Burchell’s zebra. On the other hand, February is the perfect time for a birding safari in Botswana as the wet season generally instigates bird migration—sight birds like the African fish eagle, African skimmer, the Green-winged pytilia and the Southern bee-eater.

What to do:

• Game drives
• Dugout canoe trips
• Birding

Nxai Pan National Park

February is one of the best times to visit Nxai Pan National Park. Although it is not a Big Five safari destination, elephants and lions are present, as are giraffes, impala, springbok, oryx, and red hartebeest.

What to do:

• See the animal migration
• Game drives