​Best Time To Visit – Malawi

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Bradt guidebooks to African destinations, including the guide to Malawi.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Bradt guidebooks to African destinations, including the guide to Malawi.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Bradt guidebook to Malawi.

Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Malawi.

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July to October are the best wildlife viewing months (from the middle to the end of the Dry season) as all water in the bush has dried up, and animals congregate around permanent water sources. Keep in mind, however, that October is extremely hot. The exception is Nyika Plateau, which gets very cold in the dry winter months. In Nyika, a more pleasant time is from November to May.


22 Malawi Safaris
Best Time July to October (The bush is dry and animals are easy to find)
High Season July to October (Some of the parks can become busy and high-season rates apply)
Low Season mid-November to May (Low season rates apply)
Best Weather April to August (It is cooler and it hardly ever rains)
Worst Weather November to March (Hot and wet weather)

May to October –Dry Season – Winter

  • Wildlife viewing is at its best due to less vegetation and animals gathering around waterholes
  • There is virtually no rain, skies are clear, and there are fewer mosquitoes
  • Although it is high season, most of the parks won’t be crowded
  • October can get very hot
  • Morning game drives will be cold; pack warm clothing

Wildlife Photos

View Photos (25)
+23 Photos Want To Visit

November to April –Wet Season – Summer

  • The scenery is green and lush
  • It is low season, meaning lower rates
  • You can see newborn animals
  • Best time for bird watching, with migratory birds present
  • Rains are mostly short showers late in the afternoon
  • Most camps stay open throughout the year
  • Wildlife is harder to see as vegetation is thick and there's an abundance of water
  • Some dirt roads become impassable; using a 4x4 is recommended across the country
  • Malaria is a bigger concern than in the Dry season

Wildlife Photos

Herd of roan antelopes on green grass
Buffalo bulls
+23 Photos

Best Time To Go by Major Park

Liwonde NP and Majete WR offer great wildlife viewing throughout the year, but the best months are the dry winter months, from May to October. (Generally, the dry months usually bring nicer travel conditions in Malawi.) Most other wildlife parks in the country follow the same pattern. Nyika NP has a different pattern – it’s open throughout the year but the dry winter months from May to September/October are bitterly cold on the plateau, while the warmer months from November to April are more pleasant at this altitude.

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22 Malawi Safaris