Malawi in December

Rains set in; Christmas fills lake lodges with residents.

December is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• MayGreatDry season starts; lake visibility improves for snorkelling at Cape Maclear.
• JuneGreatCool nights, clear days; good month for Mulanje and Nyika.
• JulyGreatEuropean holidays fill lodges; 6 July Independence Day.
• AugustGreatPeak season: calm lake, good game at Liwonde; book beds early.

• Lakeshore · Cape Maclear, Senga Bay, Nkhata Bay, Likomarainy

  Lake water is clearest and calmest May–Oct; the mwera wind from the south-east can whip up waves Jun–Aug. Oct–Nov is very hot at 500 m.

• Shire valley parks · Liwonde, Majete, Lengwerainy

  Game concentrates on the Shire River as the bush dries Aug–Nov; October can pass 40 °C (104 °F). Some tracks close in the rains.Game concentrates on the Shire River as the bush dries Aug–Nov; October can pass 104 °F (40 °C). Some tracks close in the rains.

• Highlands and plateaus · Zomba, Mulanje, Nyika, Viphyarainy

  Cold nights Jun–Aug (frost on Nyika); Mulanje hut routes are wet and slippery Dec–Mar.

• Central plateau and cities · Lilongwe, Dedza, Blantyrerainy

  Pleasant dry winters; storms Dec–Mar and power and fuel shortages at any time.

• Central Malawi: Central Malawi plateau · Lilongwe areadry

  Dry season May–Nov, 20‑30 °C (86 °F); occasional thunderstorms Dec–Mar.Dry season May–Nov, 20‑86 °F (30 °C); occasional thunderstorms Dec–Mar.

• Northern Malawi: Northern lakeshore · Lake Malawi coastdry

  May–Nov are dry with cooler evenings; rain peaks Dec–Mar.

• Lilongwe28 °C (82 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 17 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 17 rain days
• Blantyre20 °C (68 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 178 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 178 rain days
• Cape Maclear28 °C (82 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 12 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 12 rain days
• Chikwawa31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 12 rain days
• Chintheche29 °C (84 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 14 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 14 rain days
• Chitimba30 °C (86 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 15 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 15 rain days
• Chizumulu Island29 °C (84 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 15 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 15 rain days
• Karonga27 °C (81 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 12 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 12 rain days
• Likoma Island28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 12 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 12 rain days
• Livingstonia28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 14 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 14 rain days
• Mangochi29 °C (84 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 14 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 14 rain days
• Monkey Bay30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 12 rain days
• Mua28 °C (82 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 11 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 11 rain days
• Mzuzu28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 16 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 16 rain days
• Nkhata Bay29 °C (84 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 15 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 15 rain days
• Nkhotakota28 °C (82 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 14 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 14 rain days
• Zomba28 °C (82 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 18 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 18 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Christmas and Boxing Day

  25–26 Dec

  Lake lodges book out; transport busy.

• Christmas

  24–26 December · Lilongwe

  Churches full; lodge prices rise.

Crowds · Malawi

Low

Prices · Malawi

Low

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Malawi, side by side.

• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

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