Where to travel between February and April

Below, our team of experts has handpicked just four incredible countries, which are all easy to reach and fantastic to experience between February and April.

Kenya

Where better to escape than Africa, with its glorious, wide-open landscapes, incredible wildlife and seemingly endless space? From the Masai Mara’s vast savannah to the white beaches that fringe the Indian Ocean, Kenya’s diversity will reward any traveller. We select mostly owner-run lodges, camps and houses that lie in awe-inspiring areas, offering an authentic, sustainable, comfortable and memorable experience. We also know the best private houses if you are looking for total isolation.

Between February and April is a particularly good time of year to travel here. With little rainfall, the savannah grasses are short, so spotting wildlife is easier and animals tend to congregate around shrinking waterholes. It is a particularly exciting time in the Masai Mara as the predators emerge to stalk young plains game and birding is at its best in both the Mara and Laikipia.

Our itineraries always include incredible experiences that flip the script. In Nairobi, where most of our clients begin or end their journey, we can design some fascinating encounters that will give you an insight into Kenya today.

“Enjoy a cultural day in Nairobi, meeting local artists and visiting projects in Kibera, followed by lunch at Cultiva, a pop-up on an organic farm in Langata that supports local producers and where you can explore the kitchen gardens with the chef,” suggests Claire Ferguson, Head of our Africa + the Indian Ocean team. “Otherwise, we can arrange for you to be guided around the city by a charming, young Kenyan who began life as a street child in Mathare, a slum on the outskirts of Nairobi. He will open your eyes to the culture of Kenya’s capital as well as the lives of street children in Africa’s largest economy. This is a fascinating, raw and real experience that supports  street children. I would thoroughly recommend it to all.”

Far away from the city, an unparalleled expedition we love to organise for our clients is a journey by helicopter to the remote Reteti Elephant Sanctuary on the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy in northern Kenya, where you can witness first-hand the amazing work being done for orphaned elephants. “The views from the air are absolutely stunning and, en route, you will stop for a cup of tea or coffee on top of Ololokwe, a mountain that is sacred to the local Samburu tribe,” describes Africa + the Indian Ocean Destination Expert, Millie Summers.

Costa Rica

Home to half a million species residing in dense and lush jungles, Costa Rica is a nature lover’s nirvana. Between February and April, the days are dry and bright, making it a brilliant time for enjoying jungle adventures, relaxing on palm-fringed beaches or wildlife spotting. In this season, animals and birds do not need to shelter from the rains, so you are likely to catch sight of colourful birds, howler monkeys and sloths at the very least. Moreover, in late February or March, you may be lucky enough to witness leatherback turtles nesting on the Pacific Coast.

 

Costa Rica’s landscapes provide an awe-inspiring setting for outdoor adventures, such as hikes, white-water rafting and ziplining.

“One of my favourite experiences in Costa Rica was at Playa Cativo Lodge in the Golfo Dulce,” says Milly Warr, our Latin America expert. “With large mangrove areas and many rivers flowing into the gulf from the surrounding rainforests, the ocean here is rich in minerals, which provides a healthy food source for spinner, bottlenose and spotted dolphins. During the day, we set out by boat and witnessed hundreds of dolphins dancing in the waves. In the evening, a surprise dinner was set up in the jungle, surrounded by the sounds of tree frogs, night birds and lapping waves. Afterwards, we strolled down to the beach to experience the bioluminescence natural phenomenon. Drifting along in a kayak, the water sparkled with every movement of the paddle. It was truly amazing.”

The Maldives

If you are looking for utter seclusion and paradise isles, nothing beats the powdery beaches, turquoise waters and vibrant coral reefs of the Maldives. Each awe-inspiring retreat is its own private island, with its own allure, and our Destination Experts know them back to front so can select the right one for you.

There are many unforgettable experiences you can enjoy in the Maldives, such as a surprise picnic on an uninhabited isle, stargazing with an astronomist or a diving expedition with a marine specialist or conservationist. Between December and April is the driest time of year, which makes the visibility excellent for snorkelling and scuba-diving.

“One of our favourite islands, Vakkaru, in the Baa Atoll, offers the most incredible, rejuvenating wellness experience in their over-water spa,” says Asia + the Middle East expert, Venetia Stanley. “Each guest is given a bespoke programme, depending on what area they would like to focus on – from aromatherapy, skin and circulation or immune system-boosting treatments to meditation on the most amazing yoga deck overlooking the lagoon. This is the most memorable and uplifting experience – particularly special in the world we are currently living in!”

 

Turks + Caicos Islands

With their diverse marine flora and fauna and fabulous places to stay, these far-flung isles are perfect for couples, families and groups of friends who are looking to get away from it all. We will recommend the best hideaway for you, such as Amanyara, on the north coast of Providenciales, or COMO Parrot Cay, set on its own private island and with lovely beach villas and houses with their own butlers, pools and direct access to the chalk-white beach.

 

Between February and April is a wonderful time to be here, as the weather is lovely and sunny but not too humid. The islands are famously laid-back but there’s plenty to do here.

“You can do as much or little as you like here,” says Destination Expert, Milly Warr. “Turks + Caicos offers some of the best snorkelling and scuba-diving in the world, with colourful reefs and spectacular coral walls and drop-offs. We can also arrange special picnics on the beach, private catamaran cruises, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding expeditions through the mangroves and island-hopping adventures.”