Best time to visit Malawi

February is when Malawi reaches the peak of its rains, creating a truly spectacular, vibrant chapter. The scenery is dramatic – think towering clouds, rivers running full, and vegetation flourishing in every shade of green.

However, the abundant rainfall increases water sources, allowing animals to disperse, while the dense foliage gives wildlife extra cover. This makes seeing wildlife more challenging.

Weather in Malawi in February

February remains wet and warm, with highs of 28 °C/82 °F and lows of 20 °C/68 °F. Afternoon rains replenish rivers and wetlands, attracting waterbirds.

March carries us toward the tail end of the wet season, when Malawi truly bursts with verdant life. The effect is stunning: waterfalls roar with power, rivers swell, and the lush greenery dominates every view.

Weather in Malawi in March

March is still rainy, though showers become less frequent, with highs of 28 °C/82 °F and lows of 19 °C/66 °F. The bush remains green, and rivers are full. Wildlife is dispersed, but bird activity is high, and landscapes are striking.

April is when Malawi truly starts to breathe out after the rains. The air is washed clean, and the landscapes are at their most gloriously vibrant and lush. This month sees the perfect balance of fewer visitors and cooler temperatures, making every moment feel utterly personal during your Malawi safari.

The bush is still wonderfully full and green, but the rains have eased enough for your game drives to be relaxed and rewarding.

At the Thyolo tea estates, the light is soft and clear, illuminating the endless, deep-green tapestry of plantations. This is a spectacular time to be in both the parks and among the rolling hills to experience Malawi at its freshest.

Weather in Malawi in April

The weather in Malawi during April is transitional, with daytime temperatures around 27 °C/81 °F and nights near 18 °C/64 °F. Rainfall tapers off, leaving lush green landscapes. Bush thins slightly, improving visibility for game drives, and lakes remain warm for swimming or kayaking, making safari and water-based activities particularly rewarding.

Destinations to Visit in Malawi During April

Thyolo District

Located in the rolling Shire Highlands, the Thyolo District is Malawi’s picturesque heartland of tea production. April’s lingering moisture ensures the vast plantations are blanketed in a vibrant emerald green, offering breathtaking views that contrast beautifully with the wild bush of the nearby safari parks.

Liwonde National Park

Liwonde National Park offers excellent boat and land safaris in April. Rivers and wetlands attract hippos, crocodiles, and elephants, while the thinning bush allows for easier wildlife viewing. Migratory and resident birds abound, creating a vibrant landscape for visitors seeking both game and birdwatching experiences.

Activities to Do in Malawi During April

• Short nature walks where the bush is starting to recede
• Birdwatching safaris

In May, Malawi takes a step closer to the dry season. The humidity begins to lift, the air is crisp, and the sunlight highlights the thinning vegetation. For a safari-goer, this is when things start to get truly exciting.

Your days are bathed in sunshine, and the nights are wonderfully cool. Critically, the dense foliage from the rains starts to recede, meaning wildlife sightings become richer and more frequent.

May is one of the very best times to experience the diversity of Malawi’s wilderness. Whether you’re seeking the Big Five in Majete Wildlife Reserve or Liwonde National Park or you’re interested in relaxing along the shores of Lake Malawi, this time of the year sets the stage for a memorable chapter.

Weather in Malawi in May

May brings mostly dry conditions, with highs of 26 °C/79 °F and lows of 16 °C/61 °F. Clear skies and lower humidity provide comfortable conditions for game drives and walking safaris, while lakes are calm and inviting.

Destinations to Visit in Malawi During May

Majete Wildlife Reserve

Majete Wildlife Reserve is vibrant in May as animals gather around the remaining waterholes. Elephants, antelope, and other mammals are highly visible, providing excellent safari opportunities.

Liwonde National Park

Liwonde’s waterways are the main stage this month. The rivers become a magnet for huge numbers of hippos and elephants, and the ever-thinning bush means you can track wildlife with more ease on land. Boat trips are a spectacular highlight, letting you get close to the action and offering birdwatchers a feast as species flock to the shrinking wetlands.

Lake Malawi

The Lake of Stars is particularly inviting in May. With the rains gone and the humidity low, the days are bright, clear, and perfectly temperate. It’s the ideal time to settle onto a golden beach, explore the calm waters, or snorkel among the colourful cichlids.

Activities to Do in Malawi During May

• Game drives in Majete and Liwonde
• Walking safaris
• Water activities at Lake Malawi

June is when the atmosphere in Malawi shifts, officially welcoming the cool dry season. Think crisp mornings, brilliant sunshine, and clear air.

The conditions for wildlife viewing become phenomenal. With rainfall now minimal and the cooler temperatures setting in, everything slows down and settles. As water levels drop, the animals – from herds of elephants to grazing antelope – start to gather, making the parks feel alive and intensely focused.

This convergence means every game drive and photography session is set up for success. Whether you’re in the bush or relaxing along the shores of Lake Malawi, June offers those perfect, effortless days you’ll remember forever.

Weather in Malawi in June

Rainfall is minimal, so June is cool and dry, with daytime highs of 24 °C/75 °F and nights dropping to 14 °C/57 °F. The dry season creates excellent wildlife visibility, as animals gather at permanent water sources. Clear skies and crisp air are ideal for photography, walking safaris, and boat excursions.

Destinations to Visit in Malawi During June

Majete Wildlife Reserve

June is prime time for the Big Five in Majete. The dry conditions force the animals to the few remaining water sources, which makes your game drives incredibly productive. The air is clear, and the bush is thinning by the day, meaning you’ll have uninterrupted views of elephant herds, rhinos, and lions. This is the moment to appreciate the hard-won conservation success of this special place.

Liwonde National Park

Liwonde in June is defined by the water. The dry weather concentrates wildlife near the Shire River, turning your boat safari into a spectacular experience. Expect phenomenal sightings of massive pods of hippos, huge crocodiles basking on the banks, and elephants arriving to drink. For bird lovers, the riverine areas are bustling with activity, making every moment on the water a true highlight.

Lake Malawi

As the cool, dry season settles in, Lake Malawi becomes simply irresistible. The weather is clear, stable, and beautifully temperate, meaning your days on the shore and in the water are pure bliss. The mild temperatures are perfect for kayaking, sailing, or simply relaxing on the golden beaches. June is an ideal sweet spot to combine a classic safari with a lakeside escape.

Activities to Do in Malawi During June

• Game drives in Majete and Liwonde
• Water activities at Lake Malawi
• Walking safaris

July is when Malawi’s safari season truly reaches its peak pulse. The atmosphere is dry, sun-drenched, and wonderfully crisp – the perfect African winter climate.

The conditions for wildlife viewing are unbeatable this month. With every day that passes, the bush dries and thins, meaning the animals instinctively gather around the permanent water sources. This creates focused, high-density sightings where the action is easy to find, making July a strong contender for the best time to go to Malawi.

Weather in Malawi in July

July sees highs of around 24 °C/75 °F and lows of 13 °C/55 °F. Minimal rainfall and open bush make wildlife highly visible, perfect for game drives and birdwatching.

Early morning game drives can require an extra layer, building to comfortable afternoons perfect for tracking on foot or enjoying outdoor activities. Roads are fully accessible, and the clear, sunny skies enhance the tranquil beauty of Lake Malawi.

Destinations to Visit in Malawi During July

Majete Wildlife Reserve

Majete truly shines in July. Expect outstanding safari opportunities as huge elephant herds, antelope, and predators are easily spotted near the water sources. The landscape is crisp and golden, giving you clear lines of sight for photography. This is Majete at its most focused and rewarding.

Liwonde National Park

Imagine drifting quietly on the Shire River, seeing massive pods of hippos and huge crocodiles. Elephants and other antelope are concentrated right along the riverbanks to drink and graze, making this an excellent destination to watch the drama of the river unfold.

Lake Malawi

The lack of rain, combined with the dry season’s cool air, makes July an exceptionally comfortable time for your Lake Malawi escape. Visibility in the lake during this time of year is excellent – a gift for anyone craving underwater discovery. You’ll want to don your flippers and mask for snorkelling and diving, gliding through the crystal-clear freshwater to meet the famous cichlids.

It’s the perfect end to a dusty safari: clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and underwater magic.

Activities to Do in Malawi During July

• Water activities in Lake Malawi
• Game drives in Majete and Liwonde
• Walking safaris

August fully immerses you in the peak of Malawi’s dry season. Building on July’s crispness, this month delivers reliably dry weather and brilliant, clear skies – the perfect canvas for a safari.

With wildlife movements becoming even more predictable, game drives across Majete and Liwonde are incredibly exciting. The thinning vegetation and scarcity of water ensure your time spent in the parks is intensely rewarding, leading to sightings of an array of wildlife, including the Big Five.

The beautiful, stable weather makes lakeside and highland explorations effortlessly enjoyable. Whether you’re hiking a cool plateau or relaxing on the golden shores, August is all about experiencing Malawi in its sharpest, most comfortable light.

Weather in Malawi in August

August continues the dry conditions, with temperatures reaching 26 °C/79 °F and nights at 15 °C/59 °F. Water sources concentrate animals, providing easy sightings of elephants, hippos, and antelope. Clear skies and pleasant conditions make this one of the best months for wildlife safaris and exploring Lake Malawi’s calm shores.

Destinations to Visit in Malawi During August

Liwonde National Park

Liwonde offers excellent opportunities for game drives and boat safaris. Wildlife is concentrated along rivers, including hippos, elephants, and crocodiles. Birdlife is diverse, and the dry conditions make tracking animals easier.

Majete Wildlife Reserve

August is a phenomenal time for Big Five safaris in Majete. The dry conditions mean the bush is open and the animals are easier to spot around water sources, making your sightings intense and frequent.

You’ll spend your days focused on the drama unfolding along the riverbanks. Majete feels less like a wildlife reserve and more like an active conservation success story that you get to witness first-hand.

Lake Malawi

The Lake of Stars is simply idyllic this month. The wind can be breezier than in May or June, but the trade-off is crystal-clear water visibility – some of the best all year – making it heaven for snorkellers and divers.

The lack of rain and the wonderfully comfortable temperatures mean your time on the golden beaches is effortless and serene. August is the perfect month to seamlessly transition from the heat and dust of the safari to a refreshing, cool-water escape.

Activities to Do in Malawi During August

• Game drives in Majete and Liwonde
• Water activities in Lake Malawi
• Walking safaris
• Boat safaris

In September, the dry weather has firmly taken hold of the landscape – safari destinations are well and truly dried out, making it one of the best times to visit Malawi. The clear skies and minimal rain are a guarantee, and critically, the vegetation is now at its thinnest.

This improved visibility makes spotting those iconic African animals, from solitary leopards to large elephant herds, dramatically easier. It’s a time of phenomenal focus, both in the bush and along the shores of Lake Malawi.

Weather in Malawi in September

September sees rising temperatures, with highs of 29 °C/84 °F and lows of 17 °C/63 °F. Rainfall is negligible and the bush remains dry, ensuring excellent game visibility. Wildlife congregates around remaining water sources, making it easy to spot large mammals.

Destinations to Visit in Malawi During September

Liwonde National Park

Liwonde’s dry rivers and floodplains make wildlife sightings abundant in September. Hippos, crocodiles, and elephants are concentrated near remaining water sources, while open landscapes and thin bush allow for excellent photography and game drives.

Majete Wildlife Reserve

Majete delivers its most dramatic safari experiences this month. As waterholes shrink and temperatures rise, animals – from the Big Five to plains game – gather daily at the water. This convergence guarantees high-quality, frequent sightings.

The dry, sunny weather improves visibility and makes your long tracking drives comfortable, and the park’s sun-bleached, golden landscapes are intensely photogenic under the crisp blue skies.

Lake Malawi

September is often considered one of the best months for Lake Malawi holidays. The water is generally serene, and the clarity is excellent for snorkelling and diving excursions to see the vibrant cichlids.

Activities to Do in Malawi During September

• Snorkelling and diving in Lake Malawi
• Game drives in Majete and Liwonde
• Walking safaris
• Boat excursions

October is the climactic moment before the wet season arrives. While the heat is undeniable, the reward is arguably the most dramatic and reliable wildlife viewing of the entire year.

This is a transition month where the country is thirsty, and that thirst forces the action right into the open. The dry conditions, hot days, and clear skies combine to create exciting safari and lakeside experiences. It’s the final, intense chapter of the dry season, offering unparalleled visibility.

Weather in Malawi in October

October sits at the tail end of the dry season, with daytime highs typically building toward a hot 31 °C/88 °F or higher in the lower-lying parks. The heat is significant, but the minimal rainfall and low humidity mean the bush is bone-dry, ensuring maximum visibility for wildlife.

The water sources are at their lowest point, creating predictable, large congregations of animals. Your game drives will be most rewarding in the cool, clear light of early morning and late afternoon.

Destinations to Visit in Malawi During October

Lake Malawi

As the bush reaches its hottest point, Lake Malawi is a welcome, warm oasis. The waters are calm, and the temperatures are perfect for swimming, kayaking, and exploring the shoreline. The lake offers a delightful, comfortable escape, allowing you to cool off and recharge after a dusty, action-packed safari in the bush.

Liwonde National Park

The intense heat in October makes Liwonde an incredible destination for high-action wildlife viewing. Concentrations of elephants, hippos, and crocodiles along the Shire River are high, making boat safaris exciting adventures. Predators, like lions, are also easier to spot in the increasingly open areas as they patrol the riverbanks for prey.

Majete Wildlife Reserve

Majete delivers its most reliable Big Five sightings in this late, dry heat, with animals forced to stay close to the few shrinking waterholes and the Shire River. This means highly frequent, excellent views of elephant, rhino, and lion. The dry, stark landscape of Majete is incredibly photogenic, capturing the raw, enduring spirit of the African bush.

Activities to Do in Malawi During October

• Game drives in Majete and Liwonde
• Boat safaris
• Water activities at Lake Malawi

November marks the beginning of Malawi’s green – or wet – season. After months of dry heat, the land eagerly welcomes the increase in rainfall, starting a powerful transformation of the landscape.

The first rains refresh the wilderness, turning it lush and vibrant, but causing wildlife to become more dispersed as watering holes increase.

Lake Malawi is still warm and inviting for water-based activities; however, the increase in rain can put a damper on lakeside vacations. This time of the year offers a unique experience focused on the raw beauty and renewal of the African wilderness.

Weather in Malawi in November

November brings increasing rains, with highs of 31 °C/88 °F and lows of 20 °C/68 °F. Afternoon showers refresh the bush, and while dense foliage can hide larger wildlife, the increase in migratory bird species makes for exciting birdwatching safaris.

Destinations to Visit in Malawi During November

Liwonde National Park

November makes Liwonde the ultimate birding destination. This is the month when European and North African migratory birds can be seen in a spectacular flurry of colour and sound. While the new foliage can make spotting big game more challenging, you will be rewarded with a deeply immersive experience focused on smaller wildlife and the sheer abundance of life around the Shire River.

Majete Wildlife Reserve

In Majete, November is a fascinating time for the dedicated safari-goer. The breaking of the dryness brings a palpable sense of relief and activity, and the rains clear the air of dust. This, combined with dramatic afternoon thunderclouds, creates incredible backdrops for photographers.

Lake Malawi

The lake is wonderfully warm in November, making the water irresistible for swimming and snorkelling. Despite the high likelihood of an afternoon storm, clear, calm evenings typically follow the sudden downpours. You get to experience the lake at its warmest, right before the heavier rains start.

Activities to Do in Malawi During November

• Birdwatching safaris in Majete and Liwonde
• Water activities at Lake Malawi

December is fully immersed in the green season, with Malawi’s landscapes turning lush and vibrant. The entire country feels utterly alive, saturated in brilliant colour. Due to the abundance of water and thick vegetation, this month isn’t an ideal time to visit Malawi on safari. Animals are dispersed and more challenging to find during game drives.

Weather in Malawi in December

Rainfall is abundant in Malawi in December, and daytime highs reach around 30 °C/86 °F with the evenings cooling to 20 °C/68 °F. Frequent showers and high humidity make wildlife spotting more challenging, but rivers and wetlands are alive with birds, including migrant species.