When to go

Where to go in February

Conditions across all 46 destinations we cover, ranked for February. Wildlife viewing first, then weather, with the quieter option leading where two places are equally good.

Best in February

Serengeti National ParkTanzaniaHigh season
Peak calving — predator action at its best.
Kibale National ParkUgandaHigh season
High chimp tracking success on dry forest trails.
Kidepo Valley National ParkUgandaHigh season
Peak dry season — the best game viewing and the highest prices.

Good conditions, few people

Strong weather this month without the high-season crowds — usually the best value on the calendar.

Every destination in February

Ratings are out of five. Crowds invert: more bars means busier.

Wildlife, weather, crowd level, rainfall and temperature for each destination in February
Destination	Wildlife	Weather	Crowds	Rainfall	Temperature
Serengeti National ParkTanzania	Wildlife: 5 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 4 / 5	55 mm	15–28 °C
Kibale National ParkUganda	Wildlife: 5 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	80 mm	15–28 °C
Kidepo Valley National ParkUganda	Wildlife: 5 / 5	Weather: 5 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	10 mm	18–36 °C
Mgahinga Gorilla National ParkUganda	Wildlife: 5 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	80 mm	10–23 °C
Mafia IslandTanzania	Wildlife: 5 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	60 mm	24–33 °C
Bwindi Impenetrable National ParkUganda	Wildlife: 5 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 4 / 5	80 mm	11–24 °C
Ngorongoro CraterTanzania	Wildlife: 5 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 4 / 5	55 mm	9–22 °C
Volcanoes National ParkRwanda	Wildlife: 5 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 4 / 5	90 mm	10–22 °C
Watamu and MalindiKenya	Wildlife: 4 / 5	Weather: 5 / 5	Crowds: 4 / 5	20 mm	24–33 °C
Diani BeachKenya	Wildlife: 4 / 5	Weather: 5 / 5	Crowds: 4 / 5	20 mm	24–33 °C
Lake Mburo National ParkUganda	Wildlife: 4 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	80 mm	16–29 °C
Pemba IslandTanzania	Wildlife: 4 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	60 mm	24–33 °C
Samburu National ReserveKenya	Wildlife: 4 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	25 mm	21–36 °C
Amboseli National ParkKenya	Wildlife: 4 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	30 mm	16–32 °C
Akagera National ParkRwanda	Wildlife: 4 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	90 mm	16–29 °C
Laikipia and Ol PejetaKenya	Wildlife: 4 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	25 mm	12–29 °C
Lake Nakuru National ParkKenya	Wildlife: 4 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	50 mm	11–30 °C
Murchison Falls National ParkUganda	Wildlife: 4 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	50 mm	19–34 °C
Nyungwe Forest National ParkRwanda	Wildlife: 4 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	90 mm	11–23 °C
Queen Elizabeth National ParkUganda	Wildlife: 4 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	80 mm	17–30 °C
ZanzibarTanzania	Wildlife: 4 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 4 / 5	60 mm	24–33 °C
Lake Natron and Ol Doinyo LengaiTanzania	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	55 mm	22–38 °C
Tsavo East National ParkKenya	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	30 mm	21–36 °C
Tsavo West National ParkKenya	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	30 mm	19–33 °C
Lake Manyara National ParkTanzania	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	55 mm	17–30 °C
Lake Naivasha and Hell's GateKenya	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	50 mm	10–29 °C
Maasai MaraKenya	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	50 mm	13–30 °C
Nairobi National ParkKenya	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	50 mm	13–28 °C
Mahale Mountains National ParkTanzania	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 1 / 5	130 mm	18–28 °C
Tarangire National ParkTanzania	Wildlife: 2 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	55 mm	16–30 °C
Ruaha National ParkTanzania	Wildlife: 2 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 1 / 5	130 mm	17–31 °C
Nyerere National ParkTanzania	Wildlife: 2 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	130 mm	19–33 °C
Mount KilimanjaroTanzania	—	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 4 / 5	55 mm	8–23 °C
LamuKenya	—	Weather: 5 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	20 mm	25–34 °C
MombasaKenya	—	Weather: 5 / 5	Crowds: 4 / 5	20 mm	24–33 °C
Mount KenyaKenya	—	Weather: 5 / 5	Crowds: 4 / 5	40 mm	5–21 °C
TangaTanzania	—	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	60 mm	23–33 °C
Ssese IslandsUganda	—	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	80 mm	18–29 °C
ArushaTanzania	—	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	55 mm	14–27 °C
Dar es SalaamTanzania	—	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	60 mm	24–34 °C
Jinja and the Source of the NileUganda	—	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	80 mm	17–29 °C
KampalaUganda	—	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	80 mm	18–29 °C
KigaliRwanda	—	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	90 mm	15–28 °C
Rwenzori Mountains National ParkUganda	—	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	80 mm	6–19 °C
EntebbeUganda	—	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	80 mm	18–28 °C
Lake BunyonyiUganda	—	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	80 mm	12–25 °C

Climate normals and typical patterns, not a forecast. East African rains have been arriving less predictably than these averages suggest — treat them as a guide to the shape of the year, not a promise about a given week.