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When to go

Best time to visit Malawi

If you choose to visit Malawi between June and October (the winter, dry season months), you’ll be guaranteed beautiful blue skies, pleasant temperatures and excellent game viewing across the board. June to August is the best time for hiking and walking as the temperatures are still cool and be warned that September and October can reach the high 30s in the middle of the day. June to October is also lovely time to visit Lake Malawi and even in the hot months, the breeze from the lake keeps things cool. November to May are the hot, summer season months. There’s more chance of rain and some of the camps become inaccessible (just check with us – there are plenty open too!). Game viewing is good but the parks are definitely hotter and more humid.

The dry season (May to October) is ideal for safaris and outdoor adventures, while the wet season (November to April) transforms the landscape into a lush paradise, perfect for birdwatching, but expect some heavy rain. A trip to Likoma Island on Lake Malawi is a must, and with festivals like Lake of Stars and Mulhako wa Alhomwe, there’s always something to celebrate."
Tessa

Tessa Dancer

Travel Specialist

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Malawi in January

Wet Season — a quieter time to visit

  • Often the wettest month of the year, with relatively high temperatures and long nights of rain.

  • This is a risky time of year for a beach holiday with unpredictable weather.

  • Enjoy exceptional year round diving and snorkelling with warm waters and clarities that never drop below 15 meters.

  • Don't forget to pack sun block and a hat, Africa has a powerful sun year round.

Malawi in February

Wet Season — a quieter time to visit

  • A very wet month with regular nightly rainfall and high daytime temperatures.

  • This is a risky time of year for a beach holiday with unpredictable weather.

  • Lake Malawi has exceptional year round diving and snorkelling with warm waters and clarities that never drop below 15 meters.

  • Don't forget to pack sun block and a hat, Africa has a powerful sun year round.

Malawi in March

Wet Season — a quieter time to visit

  • Rainfall begins to decline although is still reasonably high during this month, with showers usually occurring over night and daytime temperatures being relatively hot.

  • The unpredictability of the weather makes this destination a gamble for a beach holiday.

  • With a wide variety of cichlids (tropical fish), take advantage of the unique lake diving and snorkelling, enjoying warm waters and clarities of no less than 15 meters.

  • There is an activity for every moment of the day on Lake Malawi, including kite boarding, kayaking, water skiing or even learning to sail.

  • Take a quad biking trip on Likoma Island, an area known for its cultural scenes and an impressive cathedral.

  • Don't forget to pack sun block and a hat, Africa has a powerful sun year round.

Malawi in April

Wet Season — a good time to visit

  • The wet season is coming to an end, with temperatures still hot but dropping as rainfall decreases with each passing day.

  • Take advantage of the first dry days of the season by heading to the white sandy beaches of Lake Malawi.

  • Enjoy exceptional year round diving and snorkelling with warm waters and clarities that never drop below 15 meters.

  • There are numerous activities available on Lake Malawi, such as kite boarding, kayaking, water skiing or even learning to sail.

  • Explore Likoma Island on a quad biking trip, taking in the cultural scenes and an impressive cathedral.

  • Don't forget to pack sun block and a hat, Africa has a powerful sun year round.

Malawi in May

Dry Season — a good time to visit

  • The dry season has began, rainfall subsides and the temperatures are hot but dropping.

  • The ideal time of year to relax on the tropical shores of Lake Malawi.

  • Lake Malawi has exceptional year round diving and snorkelling with warm waters and clarities that never drop below 15 meters.

  • With so many water activities available on Lake Malawi, including kite boarding, kayaking, water skiing and sailing, there won't be a moment to waste.

  • Likoma Island is best explored by quad bike, with friendly locals, cultural scenes and a large cathedral.

  • Don't forget to pack sun block and a hat, Africa has a powerful sun year round.

Malawi in June

Dry Season — one of the best times to visit

  • The dry season is in full swing with slightly cooler temperatures and little to no rain expected.

  • Take advantage of pristine weather, relaxing on the beaches of Lake Malawi.

  • With a wide variety of cichlids (tropical fish), take advantage of the unique lake diving and snorkelling, enjoying warm waters and clarities of no less than 15 meters.

  • There is an activity for every moment of the day on Lake Malawi, including kite boarding, kayaking, water skiing or even learning to sail.

  • Take a quad biking trip on Likoma Island, an area known for its cultural scenes and an impressive cathedral.

  • Don't forget to pack sun block and a hat, Africa has a powerful sun year round.

Malawi in July

Dry Season — one of the best times to visit

  • Temperatures are cooler with almost no chance of rain.

  • A wonderful time of year for lounging on the picturesque beaches of Lake Malawi.

  • Enjoy exceptional year round diving and snorkelling with warm waters and clarities that never drop below 15 meters.

  • Take advantage of the numerous activities available on Lake Malawi such as kite boarding, kayaking, water skiing or even learn to sail.

  • Explore Likoma Island on a quad biking trip, taking in the cultural scenes and an impressive cathedral.

  • Don't forget to pack sun block and a hat, Africa has a powerful sun year round.

Malawi in August

Dry Season — one of the best times to visit

  • Temperatures are ideal, with only a couple of days rainfall across the whole month.

  • A great time for recliner relaxation on the white sandy beaches of Lake Malawi.

  • With a wide variety of cichlids (tropical fish), take advantage of the unique lake diving and snorkelling, enjoying warm waters and clarities of no less than 15 meters.

  • With so many water activities available on Lake Malawi, including kite boarding, kayaking, water skiing and sailing, there won't be a moment to waste.

  • Likoma Island is best explored by quad bike, with friendly locals, cultural scenes and a large cathedral.

  • Don't forget to pack sun block and a hat, Africa has a powerful sun year round.

Malawi in September

Dry Season — one of the best times to visit

  • The end of the dry season is approaching with temperatures and humidity beginning to climb in this month and little to no chance of rainfall.

  • At this time of the year, Lake Malawi provides the perfect setting for island relaxation and care free living.

  • The best time for diving or snorkelling with warm water temperatures and incredible dive clarity of up to 25 meters during this month.

  • Take advantage of the numerous activities available on Lake Malawi such as kite boarding, kayaking, water skiing or even learn to sail.

  • Take a quad biking trip on Likoma Island, an area known for its cultural scenes and an impressive cathedral.

  • Don't forget to pack sun block and a hat, Africa has a powerful sun year round.

Malawi in October

Dry Season — a good time to visit

  • This is one of the hottest months of the year with the first afternoon showers occurring towards the end of the month.

  • Take advantage of the end of the dry season by reclining on the beach, icy cocktail in hand.

  • The best time for diving or snorkelling with warm water temperatures and incredible dive clarity of up to 25 meters during this month.

  • There are numerous activities available on Lake Malawi such as kite boarding, kayaking, water skiing or even learn to sail.

  • Explore Likoma Island on a quad biking trip, taking in the cultural scenes and an impressive cathedral.

  • Don't forget to pack sun block and a hat, Africa has a powerful sun year round.

Malawi in November

Dry Season — a good time to visit

  • The start of the wet season with sporadic rainfall, usually in the form of late afternoon showers.

  • This month is usually a gamble for beach relaxation with long hours of glowing sunlight but the potential for rain is ever present.

  • The best time for diving or snorkelling with warm water temperatures and incredible dive clarity of up to 25 meters during this month.

  • There is an activity for every moment of the day on Lake Malawi, including kite boarding, kayaking, water skiing or even learning to sail.

  • Explore Likoma Island on a quad biking trip, taking in the cultural scenes and an impressive cathedral.

  • Don't forget to pack sun block and a hat, Africa has a powerful sun year round.

Malawi in December

Wet Season — a quieter time to visit

  • Approaching the peak of the wet season, temperatures are relatively high with regular rainfall in the form of heavy showers.

  • This is a risky time of year for a beach holiday with high humidity, temperatures and rainfall.

  • Diving and snorkelling conditions are prime in early early December, with warm water and a clarity of 25 meters, this tails of towards the end of the month but is never bad.

  • Take a quad biking trip on Likoma Island, an area known for its cultural scenes and an impressive cathedral.

  • Don't forget to pack sun block and a hat, Africa has a powerful sun year round.

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