Malawi is a small and land-locked country with lot of cool things to do and see. It has two main types of seasons – wet and hot from November to April, as well as cool and dry weather from May to October. Depending on what you would like to do, there are many fun activities you can take part in throughout the year! Here’s a short guide on when it’s best to visit Malawi!
The best time of year to go sailing on Lake Malawi is during the peak season because the weather will be just perfect!
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Embrace the Cooler Months for Your Safari Adventure!
When June, July and August come around, the weather is usually bright with lush scenery and colder temperatures. So if you are planning to go on a game park drive or hang out by the campfire during those months of the year, don’t forget to bring a jacket on hand! This season is perfect to spot elephants in Liwonde National Park as well as large flocks of beautiful lovebirds. Despite being sunny and pleasant during the days, it will get very cold at night or in the mornings at high altitudes – down to 30ºF (-1ºC).
In July, cooler days and windy conditions make Lake Malawi great for sailing. August brings us hot weather when it’s around 80ºF (27ºC) during the day and 50ºF (10ºC) at night. By September and October, the temperature gets even hotter, leading to lots of wildlife like hippos, elephants and water birds gathering around lakes for water. You can go enjoy the shore of Lake Malawi in all these months by sailing, snorkeling or just relaxing on the beach!
During the dry months, animals all come together at watering holes, making it a really cool place to take pictures.
Enjoy Nature’s Beauty in Malawi’s Green Spaces and National Parks!
During April and May, the rain won’t be as strong, making it easier to explore wild areas. Photographers looking for amazing pictures of large wide skies, green fields and parks can find great places in Malawi like Shire Highlands with its coffee and tea farms, Liwonde National Park or Majete Wildlife Reserve.
During the month of April, you can spot male antelopes butting heads in national parks as they try to find a mate. Lodges around Lake Malawi start opening and the weather becomes less humid which is great time to book cheap deals on accommodations. When May comes, the temperatures drop and days become sunny and dry. All lake lodges are open for business, especially in Liwonde National Park and Majete Game Reserve – where crocodiles also look for mates during this season.
When you come to Malawi during the wet season, you can see amazing types of birds like the wattled crane. It’s a treat for birdwatchers!
“Welcome to the Rainy Season
When summer comes, it rains a lot and brings a lot of humidity. January and February also bring with them mosquito season so there is more risk of getting malaria. Floods can sometimes close roads in parks, and places that are near lakes will start to shut down for the season from January.
If you’re traveling during these months, then Nyika Plateau is the perfect place for you! There will be hundreds of migratory birds flying around and different kinds of orchids and wildflowers blooming. Plus, if you’re lucky, you might even spot some newborn animals taking their first steps. November is the best month to visit Nyika National Park since it’s cooler there due to its higher altitude. And remember that some lodges located in places with a lot of floods may close because of upcoming rains.
In December, you can still go on a vacation to Lake Mawali before all the hotels close for the winter. By January, almost all of them are closed. During this time, heavy rains bring lots of thunder and lightning which is great for photographers who want to take pictures of those amazing skies! But rain also makes roads much harder to drive on.
If you love beautiful flowers and birds, then February in Malawi is the place for you! It’s raining a lot so orchids are blooming. Nyika National Park is great for bird watching where you can spot eagle owls, wattled cranes, cinnamon doves as well as mountain marsh widowbirds and mountain yellow warblers. March also brings rain which might lead to flooding – but it’s still such a great time for birding fun! And if you pay close attention you’ll be able to spot baby birds leaving their nests – these animals are usually on the way back home to North.