Where to travel in January and February

From the heavenly beaches of the Turks + Caicos Islands to the dramatic wilderness areas of Chile or Namibia, these destinations are open now and are at their best in January and February

From the heavenly beaches of the Turks + Caicos Islands to the vast desert dunes of Namibia, there are many destinations that are at their best over the next few months. Here is a collection of carefully selected countries whose borders are open and which are at their best in January and February:

Cuba

Cuba’s dry season runs from November to April, so it is the perfect winter sun destination. In addition, there are direct flights from the US and the UK, making the island very accessible.

With its fascinating history and distinctive culture, Cuba transports you back in time. For those who have a passion for the arts and music – the colonial cities of Havana and Trinidad are enchanting. Music, in particular, is at the heart of this country. We have special access to the real Cuba, and our guides on the ground are academics, musicians and artists who can all speak from experience and are passionate about sharing their knowledge with you. 

Cuba’s distinctive culture and good weather makes it the perfect winter sun destination in January and February

Rwanda

A tiny country with a variety of riches on offer and plenty of small or completely private properties, Rwanda is easy to explore by private car or helicopter – or ideally a combination of the two. “Rwanda, aptly known as the Land of a Thousands Hills, is still so unbelievably unspoilt,” says Claire Ferguson, Head of our Africa + the Indian Ocean team. “All the areas you will be travelling to feel very off the beaten path. Travelling here is a very exclusive, private experience, now more so than ever.” 

Rwanda, ‘The Land of a Thousand Hills’

Turks + Caicos Islands

If you’re looking to laze on some of the world’s most stunning white-sand beaches, these islands will provide a laid-back and postcard-perfect setting. Over the next few months, you can expect glorious weather on these isles. 

What’s more, one of our favourite hotels here, Amanyara, set on a white-sand beach on the north coast of the island of Providenciales. We can also organise some very special experiences, including boat charters, kayaking adventures and scuba-diving outings to name a few. In late January and February, we suggest heading out on a boat trip to spot the magnificent humpback whales that gather at this time of year. 

A villa at Amanyara in Turks + Caicos, where you can expect glorious weather in January and February

Namibia

Rugged and beautiful year-round, Namibia is a great choice if you’re looking for an adventure this January or February. At this time of year, it is the low season so you will feel as if you have each place to yourself. It’s also a particularly good time of year for photographers, as visibility is excellent and the occasional showers mean glorious desert flowers are blooming and the skies are moody above the magnificent landscapes. We recommend a private flying safari in Namibia, so you can admire the country’s stunning scenery and vast landscapes from the air.

January or February is a particularly good time of the year for photography in Namibia

As the world’s fifth least densely populated country, Namibia is a very good place to go if you are looking for complete isolation. For those looking for privacy, we know some incredible places to stay, including Shipwreck Lodge on the Skeleton Coast, Huab Under Canvas in the wild, rugged lands of Damaraland and The Nest @ Sossus and Sossus Under Canvas, both near the peach-hued dunes of Sossusvlei. We are particularly excited about the reopening of Little Kulala, in the nearby Kulala Wilderness Reserve, which has been given a huge makeover in time for 2021.

Complete isolation at Shipwreck Lodge on the Skeleton Coast, Namibia