Best time to visit Malawi

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Best time to visit Malawi

Bordered in the north by Tanzania and Zambia, and in the south by Mozambique, Malawi lies between two climatic mega-zones: it’s either wet, or dry, but never very cold.

Malawi’s climate is broadly defined by two seasons: wet and dry. The rainy season, December until late March, can bring some quite serious flooding, so it’s not the best time to visit Malawi for safari, but if birding is your thing, it’s brilliant as migrating species flock from the Northern Hemisphere to the country’s national parks. Malawi begins to dry out in April and May, bringing more sunshine and stable temperatures perfect for watching animals emerge all over Liwonde National Park. The best time to visit is probably June, July and August, with pleasant temperatures and the landscape still green.

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Malawi month by month

It’s wet, wet, wet in Malawi from December, January, February and March, and during this rainy season, around 95 percent of Malawi’s total annual rainfall drops from the skies. There is often some thunder in the mix, too, with storms reaching peak severity in late March. By April and May, the rains have stopped, leaving behind a green and refreshed landscape. Often, wet mist floats down from the highlands into the plateaus. June, July and August temperatures rise to between 17°C and 27°C, and fall away to between 4°C and 10°C. It’s not unheard of to have frost in June and July at night. From September to October, Malawi is at its hottest, with temperatures climbing into the 30°Cs, and humidity on the rise now, too. The Lake of Stars Festival takes place in September. September to November is the best time to see wildlife in Malawi’s parks and reserves, as hotter temperatures cause the greenery to die back, improving visibility, and force animals to cluster around available water sources. November is a very changeable month in Malawi. It can be hot and dry, like the weather in October, but the first of the rainy season’s downpours can also strike now. In fact, you might get both on successive days.

Malawi Weather Chart

MIN °C

MAX °C

RAIN (mm)

JAN

223

FEB

188

MAR

129

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

179

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Festivals & events in Malawi

The Lake of Stars Festival

Launched in 2003, The Lake of Stars Festival brings musicians and performers from around the world to perform on the gorgeous sandy shores of Lake Malawi. Each September, this weekend festival serves a curated line up of music, with local talent playing alongside established international names, across three stages. Talks, poetry, traditional dance, fashion, theatre and art complement the music and the blissful setting provides the chilled-out atmosphere.