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Long heralded as ‘the warm heart of Africa’, Malawi has few near rivals when it comes to welcome. It’s also affordable in comparison to its neighbours, and compact enough that travel doesn’t take an age. But when is the best time to visit Malawi?
Lake Malawi takes up a third of the country’s area and is the obvious place to head for at any time of year. Its cichlid fish demonstrate evolution in action, while above the waves kayaking and beach escapes are excellent options. The lake is also the location of one of Africa’s coolest annual festivals.
Head to the deep south, encircled by Mozambique, and you can hike amid the majesty of Mount Mulanje. To the north, links to missionary explorer David Livingstone can be found. There are also growing options when it comes to traditional safaris at Majete, a Big Five park, and Liwonde National Park. Lodges are open all year round, but all still depends on the weather being right.
Understanding Malawi’s seasons
Being in the southern hemisphere, the seasons in Malawi are switched from what we expect in Europe and North America. Christmas happens in the height of summer, and our summer holidays coincide with the Malawian winter.
But that’s not say you’ll face any conditions that would necessarily indicate this. You certainly won’t be reaching for your thermals. Generally speaking, it’s best to think of Malawi as having just two seasons – one dry, one wet.
When is the dry season in Malawi?
The dry season lasts from the beginning of May to the beginning of November. Officially the winter period, temperatures in Malawi are at their coolest at the start of this season, from May to July.
During these months the skies are clear, and the country’s vegetation is still lush from the rains. While the shores of Lake Malawi remain warm, it does get chilly in areas of higher altitude such as the Nyika Plateau.
Malawi’s temperatures are fairly constant throughout the year, with a temperature range of between 24-30°C (75-86 F). They sit at the lowest of this range at the start of the dry season, and gradually rise to hit their peak in October and November. Humidity rises with temperature, making September to November the most humid time of year. Some even call October ‘suicide season,’ since temperatures can hit highs of 38°C.
When is the wet season in Malawi?
Malawi is at its wettest in January and February, with roughly eight inches (200 mm) falling each month. Hot and humid too, it’s normally wise to avoid Malawi at this time of year. The exception is for bird watching, since this is the time of year migratory species head into Malawi from the northern hemisphere.
Best time to go on safari in Malawi
Dry but humid, September to November are the optimum months for wildlife viewing in Malawi’s national parks and game reserves. The lush grasses have died off by this time, making game viewing easier. At the same time, the lack of rains during the southern hemisphere winter pushes animals into congregating together at what water sources remain. September is also the month of the Lake of Stars festival.
Best time for scuba diving and snorkelling in Malawi
Luckily, September, October and November are also considered the best time for scuba diving and snorkelling in Malawi. The diving is at its foremost during these months. Visibility can reach up to 30 metres. At other times of year, it averages out at 15-20 metres. The surface waters of the lake maintain a temperature between 22 and 27°C (72-80 F). (It gets cooler the deeper you go.)
What’s more, this is the period when the lake’s unique cichlid species go about their dramatic courtship displays.
The best time to visit Malawi
Malawi has a climate that means it and its lake can be explored at almost any time of year. The most comfortable temperatures sit at the start of the dry season. However, wildlife viewing and diving are both best towards the end of the dry season, which sits in the European summer holiday period.
