When to go · Malawi
Malawi, month by month
The best months for Malawi: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.
Month by month
- JanuaryMixedHeavy rain, flooded dirt roads, some park tracks shut; the lake is warm but murky.Lakeshore: rainy · Shire valley parks: rainy · Highlands and plateaus: rainyCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
- FebruaryMixedWettest stretch in the south; cyclone remnants can flood the Shire valley.Lakeshore: rainy · Shire valley parks: rainy · Highlands and plateaus: rainyCrowds: Low
- MarchMixedRains ease late in the month; green landscapes and low rates.Lakeshore: rainy · Shire valley parks: rainy · Highlands and plateaus: rainyCrowds: Low · 3 festivals or holidays
- AprilGoodShoulder season: green hills, clearing skies; Easter brings local travel.Lakeshore: fine · Shire valley parks: fine · Highlands and plateaus: fineCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
- MayGreatDry season starts; lake visibility improves for snorkelling at Cape Maclear.Lakeshore: best weather · Shire valley parks: fine · Highlands and plateaus: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- JuneGreatCool nights, clear days; good month for Mulanje and Nyika.Lakeshore: best weather · Shire valley parks: best weather · Highlands and plateaus: coolCrowds: Medium
- JulyGreatEuropean holidays fill lodges; 6 July Independence Day.Lakeshore: best weather · Shire valley parks: best weather · Highlands and plateaus: coolCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- AugustGreatPeak season: calm lake, good game at Liwonde; book beds early.Lakeshore: best weather · Shire valley parks: best weather · Highlands and plateaus: best weatherCrowds: High
- SeptemberGreatTop game month; Lake of Stars festival often falls here (check).Lakeshore: best weather · Shire valley parks: best weather · Highlands and plateaus: best weatherCrowds: High
- OctoberMixedVery hot and hazy; superb game, but plan midday rest.Lakeshore: hot · Shire valley parks: hot · Highlands and plateaus: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- NovemberMixedHeat peaks before the first storms; fuel and power cuts bite hardest.Lakeshore: hot · Shire valley parks: hot · Highlands and plateaus: fineCrowds: Low
- DecemberMixedRains set in; Christmas fills lake lodges with residents.Lakeshore: rainy · Shire valley parks: rainy · Highlands and plateaus: rainyCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
Weather by region
How each climate zone rates each month.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LakeshoreCape Maclear, Senga Bay, Nkhata Bay, Likoma | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Hot | Hot | Wet |
| Shire valley parksLiwonde, Majete, Lengwe | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | OK | Best | Best | Best | Best | Hot | Hot | Wet |
| Highlands and plateausZomba, Mulanje, Nyika, Viphya | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | Best | Cool | Cool | Best | Best | Best | OK | Wet |
| Central plateau and citiesLilongwe, Dedza, Blantyre | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | Best | Cool | Cool | Best | Best | Hot | Hot | Wet |