Where to Travel in February

This is green season in Zambia and Botswana, so a great time for photographers in the Lower Zambezi Valley, the South Luangwa and the Okavango Delta. A lot of photographic safaris happen at this time, as with the rains come the vibrant colours, fantastic light and very few other visitors to the parks. It’s a particularly a good time for birders: go now to see migrant birds in the Delta, and the largest colonies of yellow billed storks to pass through the South Luangwa. What’s more, it’s low season, meaning great rates (with savings of between 25-40% compared to peak season) and less tourists, so you may even find you have a private vehicle to yourself.

Though the dates differ every year, Rio’s famous Carnival usually takes place in February, making it a great time to go. Temperatures are warm and everyone heads to their favourite beaches to catch some rays.

February is a great time to visit India, as tourist numbers start to go down and temperatures remain on the cooler side (relatively speaking of course!) India’s national parks are an amazing, often under-visited, attraction. In February the lush foliage starts to die down, so spotting elusive animals, like tigers and leopards, can be easier. Our favourite parks are Ranthambore and Jawai.

February in Costa Rica is when the heat starts to subside, so it’s a nice time to visit the pristine beaches. Monsoon season ends in December, so the rainforests are still in great condition too – so it’s a great time to enjoy the best of both worlds, trekking through the rainforests and relaxing on beaches

This is a great time to head for the culturally diverse and stunningly beautiful terrain of Malaysia, where the exquisite beaches of Langkawi and Penang enjoy beautiful weather in these drier months. Make the most of the country’s fascinating cultural and historical fabric and make sure not to miss the bustling capital city of Kuala Lumpur.

Nobody does winter like Norway. Rather than hide away from the cold feeling sorry for yourself, why not make like the Norwegians do and embrace this magical time of year with skiing, reindeer-drawn sleigh rides and watching the Northern Lights among other seasonal delights.

It’s low season in Indonesia at this time of year, meaning a higher chance of rain but a lot less crowds, and the weather is balmy all year round. Relax on Bali‘s spectacular beaches, discover the authentic local culture of Sumba, trek the volcanoes in Java or encounter Komodo’s famous dragons.

This is the height of summer in South Africa, and in the Cape region you’ll find a wealth of festivals, great nightlife and sublime vineyards. From hear, it’s only a hop over to Kenya‘s Maasai Mara for a wildlife safari.

Paris is never a bad idea. February, however, is an unexpectedly good time of year to go for several reasons. It’s low season so you’ll avoid the throngs of tourists flocking there in the spring and summer. The chillier weather makes this the perfect opportunity to sample the world-famous chocolat chaud at Angelina’s on the Rue de Rivoli. And, of course, where better to take your other half on February 14th than the City of Love itself?