Home › Malawi › Best time to visit
Best time to visit Malawi: month by month
Short answer
May to October is the dry season and the best time for travel and wildlife, with almost no rain from May to October and highs of 24-26°C until August. September and October are hotter (29-31°C in the data) but the best for game viewing. The rains from November to April make dirt roads hard.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26°C | 18°C | 28 | low |
| Feb | 26°C | 18°C | 25 | low |
| Mar | 25°C | 17°C | 24 | low |
| Apr | 25°C | 15°C | 10 | low |
| May | 25°C | 12°C | 2 | medium |
| Jun | 24°C | 11°C | 1 | medium |
| Jul | 24°C | 11°C | 0 | high |
| Aug | 26°C | 12°C | 1 | high |
| Sep | 29°C | 15°C | 0 | high |
| Oct | 31°C | 17°C | 1 | high |
| Nov | 32°C | 19°C | 6 | medium |
| Dec | 30°C | 19°C | 16 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Hot and dry, with highs of 29-32°C; September and October are peak game-viewing months, and rain returns in November.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
The rainy season, with highs of 26-30°C and 16-28 rainy days a month; green landscapes but muddy roads.
Autumn (Mar–May)
Rains ease from 24 days in March to about 2 in May; highs around 25°C.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Cool and dry, with highs of 24-26°C and lows near 11°C; cold nights in the hills such as Zomba.
Events worth planning around
- Lake of Stars music festival on the lakeshore, usually September-October (check if held)
- Independence Day, 6 July
- Peak birdwatching in the wet season, roughly November to April
When to avoid
January to March brings the heaviest rains, difficult dirt roads and some lodge closures. October can be very hot in the lowlands around the lake and the Shire valley.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
What is the best time to visit Malawi?
May to October, the dry season. September and October are best for wildlife, June to August for cooler weather.
When is the rainy season in Malawi?
November to April, with the heaviest rain from December to March.
Is Malawi cold in winter?
Days are mild at 24-26°C, but nights can drop to about 10°C, colder on the Zomba Plateau.