Malawi
Go to Malawi for Lake Malawi, the Zomba and Mulanje peaks and its wildlife parks, and plan around the dry months from May to September.
Malawi is a landlocked country in Southeast Africa, bordered by Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique. Its capital and largest city is Lilongwe, and Blantyre is the commercial center. Lake Malawi, also called Lake Nyasa, lies along most of the eastern boundary and is the main natural feature for visitors. The lake is about 587 km long and 84 km wide, which is why it is nicknamed the Calendar Lake. Its fish fauna is counted among the richest of any lake in the world.
Inland, the Great Rift Valley runs from north to south. The Zomba and Mulanje peaks rise to about 2,134 m and 3,048 m in the Shire Highlands south of the lake. Wildlife includes elephants, hippos, antelopes, buffaloes, big cats, monkeys, rhinos and many bird species. The rainy season runs from about November to April, while May to September is mostly dry, with almost no rain. Road travel is common, but only about 6,956 km of the roughly 24,866 km of roads were paved (2003 figures).
Five things to know before Malawi
- Check your visa route before you fly
British visitors need a visa. Malawi sorts other passports into two categories: some can buy a visa on arrival, others need authorization before departure. Check yours on the e-Visa portal. Malawi e-Visa
- Book lake stays for May to October
The dry months are cooler and the lake is calm for kayaking and snorkeling. November is very hot, and the rains run from about December to April.
- Allow a full day for long road transfers
The M1 links Lilongwe, the northern lake and Blantyre, but minibuses stop often and driving after dark is risky. Private transfers are slower than the map suggests.
- Check the bilharzia risk before you swim
Parts of Lake Malawi carry bilharzia, especially near reeds and villages. If you swim, ask a clinic about a test a few weeks after you get home.
- Carry a yellow fever certificate if needed
It is required if you arrive from a risk country, including layovers over 12 hours. Arrivals also fill in a traveler health check form. UK entry rules
Malawi travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Visa categories, the e-Visa portal and on-arrival options.
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical and evacuation cover, and what policies exclude.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMGetting data in Malawi from the day you land.
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards, ATMs and what to carry for rural stretches.
Read the guideGetting aroundDomestic flights, long-distance buses and hiring a driver.
Read the guide
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain25 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°RainyJanuaryRain
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 288 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- FebruaryRain22 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°RainyFebruaryRain
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 206 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- MarchRain20 rainy daysHigh26°Low17°Rains easeMarchRain
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 160 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains ease
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Drying, greenAprilPartly cloudy
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 45 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drying, green
- MayClear3 rainy daysHigh25°Low13°Dry, mildMayClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 9 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, mild
- JuneClear1 rainy dayHigh24°Low12°Cool, dryJuneClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, dry
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh24°Low11°Cool, dryJulyClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, dry
- AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh27°Low13°Dry, warmAugustClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- SeptemberClear0 rainy daysHigh29°Low16°Dry, hotSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- OctoberClear3 rainy daysHigh31°Low18°Very hotOctoberClear
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh31°Low20°Hot, rains nearNovemberPartly cloudy
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, rains near
- DecemberRain20 rainy daysHigh28°Low19°Rains startDecemberRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 173 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
Average daily high and low in Lilongwe, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Malawi
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
31
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 25%
- Wind
- 15 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Lilongwe
10:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today32°19°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue33°20°14%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Wed33°21°33%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 33°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Thu32°22°29%Thursday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 29%.
- Fri32°21°29%Friday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 29%.
- Sat33°22°16%Saturday: Cloudy. High 33°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Sun34°22°2%Sunday: Cloudy. High 34°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 2%.
Updated 06:26 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1,734 MWK
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Malawi
Malawi FAQ
Do I need a visa for Malawi?
British citizens do, and can buy it on arrival or online first. Other passports fall into two categories: some can buy on arrival, others need authorization before departure. Check yours on the e-Visa portal.
When is the best time to visit Malawi?
May to October. It is dry, the lake is calm and game gathers at water in Liwonde and Majete late in the season. October and November get very hot.
Is Lake Malawi safe to swim in?
Many people swim, but parts of the lake carry bilharzia. Swim away from reeds and villages, and ask a travel clinic about testing after your trip.
How many days do I need in Malawi?
Ten days covers a safari in Liwonde or Majete and several nights on the lake. Add days if you want the northern highlands or Likoma Island.
Can I use cards in Malawi?
Larger hotels and lodges take cards, but most daily spending is in kwacha cash. Use ATMs in Lilongwe or Blantyre before heading to the lake.