Weather in Malawi

The best time to visit Malawi is during the dry season, which runs from May through October. This period offers clear skies, cooler temperatures, and excellent conditions for wildlife watching as animals concentrate around water sources and vegetation thins. May through August is ideal for trekking the Mulanje Massif and Nyika Plateau, with daytime temperatures in the mountains ranging from 15–22°C and cool but manageable nights. Wildlife in Liwonde and Majete national parks is most visible during August and September when the bush is at its driest.

Lake Malawi is enjoyable year-round, but the dry season months of June through September offer the clearest water visibility for snorkeling and the most reliable weather for water activities. The wet season from November through April brings lush green landscapes and lower visitor numbers, but heavy rainfall can make some roads impassable and muddy national park tracks challenging. The shoulder months of April, May, and October offer a good balance of reasonable weather, lower prices, and some of the lush green landscapes that persist into early dry season.