Small and land-locked Malawi is loaded with various sport parks, vigorous cities, diversified topography, and a surprising lake that packs a punch it doesn’t matter what time of yr you visit.
The nation has two distinct seasons: moist and sizzling (November to April), plus cool and dry (Might to October). The best time to relies on what you need to do and see, however there’s lots on supply all yr spherical. This is our information on when to visit Malawi.
June to October is the best time for wildlife watching
The winter months of June, July, and August carry shiny sunshine, lush landscapes, and decrease temperatures. Pack a jacket for cold evening drives in sport parks and frosty mornings across the campfire. June is an efficient month for recognizing elephants and enormous flocks of lovebirds in Liwonde Nationwide Park. With clear sunny days and decrease temperatures, it’s supreme for vacationers who need to skip the warmth. Nonetheless, nights and mornings can attain a cold 30ºF (-1ºC) within the highlands.
Crocodile mating season is in July and the final gasp of winter brings windy, cooler situations to Lake Malawi that make for wonderful crusing. Spring begins in August and hotter days imply mid-day temperatures that hover round 80ºF (27ºC) and nights round 50ºF (10ºC). Come September and October, temperatures rise, the land dries out and wildlife-watching alternatives abound as hippos, elephants and water birds cluster round water sources. After a couple of days within the arid bush, refresh on the shores of Lake Malawi by crusing, snorkeling or simply sipping a cocktail on the seashore.
April to Might is the best time to visit for funds vacationers and budding photographers
In April and Might, the rains have slowed down, making journey inside wilderness areas simpler. Photographers eager to seize Malawi’s large skies and vibrant shades of inexperienced will discover loads of locations to shoot, from the espresso and tea estates of the Shire Highlands to Liwonde Nationwide Park and Majete Wildlife Reserve.
In April, male antelopes conflict within the nationwide parks because the rutting season gears up. The lodges round Lake Malawi begin to reopen, and the humidity drops. That is the best time to snag some low-cost offers on lodging. Temperatures drop in Might, and days flip dry and sunny as winter units in. All lake lodges are open, and within the sport parks, the wildlife motion picks up. Catch a present of male rivalry in Liwonde Nationwide Park and Majete Recreation Reserve because the crocodile courtship season begins.
November to March is off-season but it surely’s an ideal time to spot migratory birds
The brunt of summer time brings heavy rains and shirt-drenching humidity. January and February coincide with mosquito season – which implies a better danger of catching malaria. Flooding could make roads in nationwide parks impassable, whereas lake lodges begin shuttering in January.
If you’re touring throughout these months, head to Nyika Plateau, the place you’ll see a whole lot of migratory birds, a wealth of uncommon and endemic orchids and wildflowers all in superb bloom, and the prospect to catch new child animals taking their first steps. November is an efficient month to visit Nyika Nationwide Park, which sits at a cooler, increased elevation. Elsewhere, some distant bush lodges close to flood-prone areas shut due to impending rains.
Come December, some Lake Mawali holidays are nonetheless attainable earlier than motels shutter for the low season. By January, most are closed. That is when heavy rains carry dramatic thunderstorms, which could be a boon for photographers keen to seize large skies. Storms, nevertheless, can render roads difficult to navigate.
Flowers and birds are the highlights of February in Malawi, because the rains proceed falling. Orchids explode with colour as they bloom throughout valleys. The moist season is the best time for chook watchers, particularly in Nyika Nationwide Park. Look out for eagle owls, wattled cranes, and cinnamon doves in addition to the mountain marsh widowbird and mountain yellow warbler. The rain persists via March, bringing the potential for flooding – but it surely’s a wonderful time for birding. Younger chicks take flight from their nests, getting ready for the lengthy journey again north.