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When to go

Best time to visit Lake Malawi

Excellent
Good
Mixed
Best months: May–September · Wet season: January–April, December · Dry season: May–November

Lake 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.

Lake 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.

Lake Malawi in March

Wet Season — a good 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.

Lake 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.

Lake Malawi in May

Dry Season — one of the best times 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.

Lake 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.

Lake 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.

Lake 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.

Lake 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.

Lake 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.

Lake 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.

Lake 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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