The short answer
- Month
- February
- Verdict
- Excellent
- Safari weather
- Hot, mostly dry
- Great Migration
- Southern Serengeti, peak calving
- Kilimanjaro
- Good
- Zanzibar
- Hot and sunny
February is calving month. Around half a million wildebeest calves are born on the short grass plains in a few weeks, and lions, cheetahs and hyenas follow. It's hot, mostly dry and a great month to combine with Zanzibar or a Kilimanjaro climb.
Tanzania in February at a glance
The map opens on February; tap another month to compare.
Choose your month
February
Peak calving around Ndutu, with big predator action. Hot and mostly dry; a top month for Zanzibar.
- Serengeti (best)plus the Great Migration all year
- Ngorongoro and Tarangire (best)the rest of the northern circuit
- Kilimanjaro (best)climbing conditions
- Zanzibar (best)beaches and Stone Town
- Southern parks (mixed)Nyerere and Ruaha
Where is the Great Migration in February?
Choose your month
Highlighted months: herds mostly in Tanzania.
February
- Base in the Serengeti
- Ndutu, southern plains
- River crossings
- None
Calving season: around half a million calves are born in a few weeks, drawing lions, cheetahs and hyenas.
Where the herds are: Southern Serengeti
February across the year
How February compares with the rest of the year in each region. The ringed column is February.
Swipe sideways to see all 12 months →
| Region | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serengetiplus the Great Migration | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Best |
| Ngorongoro and Tarangirenorthern circuit | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Best |
| Kilimanjaroclimbing | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed |
| Zanzibarbeaches | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Best |
| Southern parksNyerere, Ruaha | Mixed | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed |
Where to go in February
- Ndutu: The heart of calving season, with off road driving allowed in parts of the area.
- Ngorongoro Crater: An easy drive from Ndutu.
- Kilimanjaro: Warm and mostly dry.
- Zanzibar: Calm seas, sunshine and the Sauti za Busara music festival.
What to avoid in February
- Booking late: the best calving camps sell out months ahead.
Events and holidays in February
- Sauti za Busara: East Africa's big music festival in Stone Town, usually in February.
- Kilimanjaro Marathon: Usually late February or early March, in Moshi.
Weather in February
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with February highlighted.
Average daily high / low and monthly rainfall
| Month | Arushaabout 1,400 m, Moshi is warmer | SerengetiSeronera, about 1,500 m | Ngorongoro rimabout 2,300 m, cold at night | ZanzibarStone Town |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28° / 13°60 mm | 28° / 15°90 mm | 21° / 9°80 mm | 32° / 24°70 mm |
| Feb | 28° / 13°75 mm | 28° / 15°90 mm | 21° / 9°85 mm | 32° / 24°60 mm |
| Mar | 27° / 14°145 mm | 28° / 15°140 mm | 20° / 10°140 mm | 32° / 24°150 mm |
| Apr | 25° / 15°320 mm | 27° / 15°170 mm | 19° / 10°210 mm | 30° / 24°350 mm |
| May | 23° / 14°170 mm | 26° / 14°90 mm | 18° / 9°110 mm | 29° / 23°250 mm |
| Jun | 22° / 12°25 mm | 26° / 13°20 mm | 17° / 7°25 mm | 28° / 22°55 mm |
| Jul | 21° / 11°10 mm | 26° / 12°10 mm | 16° / 6°15 mm | 28° / 21°45 mm |
| Aug | 22° / 11°10 mm | 27° / 13°15 mm | 17° / 6°15 mm | 28° / 21°40 mm |
| Sep | 24° / 11°15 mm | 28° / 13°25 mm | 19° / 7°20 mm | 29° / 21°50 mm |
| Oct | 26° / 12°30 mm | 29° / 14°45 mm | 20° / 8°45 mm | 30° / 22°90 mm |
| Nov | 26° / 13°110 mm | 28° / 15°110 mm | 20° / 9°110 mm | 31° / 23°200 mm |
| Dec | 27° / 13°90 mm | 27° / 15°110 mm | 20° / 9°100 mm | 32° / 24°140 mm |
Rounded long term averages. Blue shading marks the wetter months. Individual years can be hotter, colder or wetter.
A 9 day trip for February
Our suggestion for February: Ngorongoro, Ndutu for calving and the central Serengeti, then Zanzibar. Every trip can be made private, or try your own route in our Tanzania trip planner.
Tip: Allow three nights around Ndutu: calving hunts happen fast, and more time means more chances.
Want a February trip made for you?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 9 days, built around your dates.
Other months
Thinking about January or March? See Tanzania in January and Tanzania in March, or compare every season in our guide to the best time to visit Tanzania.
Rather have a trip to Tanzania made just for you?
Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
Is February good for the Great Migration?
Yes. February is peak calving season on the southern Serengeti plains, one of the best wildlife spectacles of the year.
Sources we checked
Tanzania month by month
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