Things to Do in Botswana in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
February Weather in Botswana
Is February Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak Green Season - February sits right in the heart of Botswana's rainy season, transforming the Kalahari into an explosion of green. The landscape actually comes alive in ways you won't see during the dry winter months, with wildflowers blooming across the grasslands and migratory birds arriving by the thousands. For photographers, the dramatic storm clouds and lush vegetation create lighting conditions you simply can't replicate in July.
- Exceptional Birding - Over 200 migratory species arrive during February, making it arguably the best month for birders. The Okavango Delta and Makgadikgadi Pans become staging grounds for flamingos, carmine bee-eaters, and countless waders. You'll see breeding plumage at its finest, and the dawn chorus is genuinely spectacular - worth the 5:30am wake-up call.
- Dramatically Lower Prices - February is proper low season, which means lodges drop rates by 30-50% compared to peak winter months (June through October). A safari that costs $800 per person per night in August might run $450-500 in February. For travelers with flexible wildlife expectations, this is when your money goes furthest. Some of the most exclusive camps in the Delta become surprisingly accessible.
- Predator Viewing Advantage - Here's what surprises most first-timers: predator sightings can actually be excellent in February. With abundant water everywhere, prey animals disperse across the landscape rather than concentrating at permanent water sources. This forces predators to be more active during daylight hours to hunt successfully. You'll often see lions, leopards, and cheetahs moving and hunting rather than just sleeping under trees.
Considerations
- Challenging Game Viewing Logistics - The thick vegetation and dispersed wildlife mean you'll work harder for sightings. Animals don't need to visit waterholes when there are temporary pans everywhere, so that classic safari scene of everything gathering at one spot just doesn't happen. Expect to spend more time searching and cover more distance. Some travelers find this frustrating, especially if you're comparing your experience to dry season Instagram posts.
- Genuine Accessibility Issues - Those 51 mm (2.0 inches) of rain don't fall gently over 30 days. They come in afternoon thunderstorms that can dump 25 mm (1 inch) in an hour, turning clay roads into skating rinks. Some remote camps in the Delta close entirely in February, and others become fly-in only as roads become impassable. The Makgadikgadi Pans can flood completely, cutting off access. You need flexibility in your itinerary because weather will occasionally force changes.
- Heat and Humidity Combination - That 70% humidity combined with 25°C (77°F) temperatures creates a different kind of heat than the dry winter. It's the kind of warmth that makes you sweat just standing still, and midday game drives (roughly 11am-3pm) can feel genuinely uncomfortable in open vehicles. The UV index of 8 is no joke either - you'll burn faster than you expect, even on overcast days.
Best Activities in February
Okavango Delta Mokoro Excursions
February is actually ideal for traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) trips through the Delta channels. Water levels are high but not yet at their peak flood stage (that comes April-June), meaning you can access narrow channels that become too shallow later in the year. The birdlife is exceptional, with malachite kingfishers, African jacanas, and pygmy geese everywhere. Morning trips (6:30am-9:30am) offer the best conditions before the heat builds and afternoon storms roll in. The experience is quieter and more intimate than peak season - you might be the only mokoro in your channel.
Makgadikgadi Pans Wildlife Migrations
If the rains have been decent (which they typically are by February), the Makgadikgadi Pans transform from a lunar landscape into a shallow lake system that attracts one of Africa's great wildlife spectacles. Tens of thousands of zebra and wildebeest migrate here from the Boteti River, following the fresh grass. Flamingos arrive in massive flocks - sometimes 40,000 birds at once at Sua Pan. The experience is surreal: watching wildlife against a backdrop of shimmering water that stretches to the horizon. That said, access depends entirely on rain patterns. In wet years, some areas flood completely and become inaccessible. In drier years, the spectacle is diminished.
Chobe River Boat Safaris
The Chobe River remains consistently accessible in February, unlike some delta regions. While elephant concentrations aren't as dense as the dry season (when herds of 100-plus gather at the water), you'll still see family groups coming to drink and bathe, often with young calves born in the past few months. The advantage in February is watching elephants actually swim and play rather than just drink desperately. Hippo pods are active, crocodiles are breeding, and the birdlife along the riverbanks is phenomenal. Afternoon cruises (3pm-6pm) position you perfectly for storm photography as thunderheads build over the Caprivi Strip.
Central Kalahari Game Reserve Exploration
The Central Kalahari becomes a completely different reserve during the rains. The famous black-maned lions are still there, but now you'll see them against golden grasslands rather than brown dust. Oryx, springbok, and gemsbok herds gather around the temporary pans, and predators follow. The real magic is the sense of absolute isolation - you might drive for hours seeing only wildlife, no other vehicles. The landscape photography opportunities are exceptional with storm light. However, this is genuinely remote wilderness. Roads become extremely challenging after rain, and you'll need a fully equipped 4x4 with recovery gear. Not recommended for first-time self-drivers.
Gaborone Cultural and Historical Tours
When afternoon storms make bush activities impractical, Gaborone offers surprisingly worthwhile cultural experiences. The National Museum and Art Gallery provides genuine insight into Botswana's history and contemporary art scene, with excellent exhibits on San rock art and the country's transition from British protectorate to stable democracy. The Maitisong Festival, if it aligns with your dates, showcases local theater and music. The city's craft markets, particularly the African Mall area, offer authentic basketry and textiles without the tourist markup you'll find at lodge gift shops. It's a decent way to spend a rainy afternoon while gaining context for the rest of your trip.
Moremi Game Reserve Self-Drive Circuits
Moremi in February rewards adventurous drivers willing to deal with muddy conditions. The wildlife viewing is genuinely excellent - leopards are particularly active, wild dogs den in the area, and the birdlife is spectacular. The Xakanaxa and Third Bridge areas remain accessible in most years, though you'll need high clearance and 4x4 capability. The advantage over peak season is having the reserve largely to yourself. You might spend an entire morning watching a leopard without another vehicle appearing. That said, you need to be comfortable with vehicle recovery, changing plans when roads flood, and camping in wet conditions.
February Events & Festivals
Zebra Migration at Makgadikgadi
This isn't a festival but a genuine natural phenomenon. Depending on rainfall timing, February often sees the peak of the zebra and wildebeest migration into the Makgadikgadi Pans. It's one of Africa's longest terrestrial migrations - roughly 250 km (155 miles) from the Boteti River. The exact timing shifts with the rains, but mid to late February typically sees the largest concentrations. Unlike the Serengeti migration, this one is witnessed by maybe a few dozen tourists rather than thousands. The experience of seeing 20,000 zebra against the white pans is genuinely extraordinary.
Flamingo Breeding Season
When conditions are right, both Greater and Lesser Flamingos breed at Sua Pan in the Makgadikgadi complex during February and March. This is highly dependent on water levels and food availability, so it doesn't happen every year. When it does occur, you'll see tens of thousands of birds in breeding plumage, performing their synchronized courtship displays. The pink mass against the white salt and blue sky is one of Botswana's most photogenic wildlife moments. Local guides in Gweta will know if breeding is happening in any given year.