When to go · Malawi
Malawi in February
Mixed month. Wettest stretch in the south; cyclone remnants can flood the Shire valley.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Crowds
- Low
- Malawi
- Prices
- Low
- Malawi
Verdict
Wettest stretch in the south; cyclone remnants can flood the Shire valley.
Is another month better than February?
February is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in February
- 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.
- Southern Malawi: Southern Malawi · Blantyre, Zomba, Mulanje, Lake Malawi shorejune
Dry season; reliable roads, good wildlife viewing and pleasant lake conditions. Hot Dec–Mar can exceed 30 °C (86 °F).Dry season; reliable roads, good wildlife viewing and pleasant lake conditions. Hot Dec–Mar can exceed 86 °F (30 °C).
- Lilongwe27 °C (81 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 17 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 17 rain days
- Blantyre20 °C (68 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 181 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 181 rain days
- Cape Maclear28 °C (82 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 11 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 11 rain days
- Chikwawa30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 13 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 13 rain days
- Chintheche28 °C (82 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 15 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 15 rain days
- Chitimba29 °C (84 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 16 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 16 rain days
- Chizumulu Island29 °C (84 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 16 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 16 rain days
- Karonga27 °C (81 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 11 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 11 rain days
- Likoma Island28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 11 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 11 rain days
- Livingstonia27 °C (81 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 14 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 14 rain days
- Mangochi28 °C (82 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 14 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 14 rain days
- Monkey Bay30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 11 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 11 rain days
- Mua28 °C (82 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 11 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 11 rain days
- Mzuzu27 °C (81 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 16 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 16 rain days
- Nkhata Bay29 °C (84 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 16 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 16 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) / 20 °C (68 °F), 18 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 18 rain days
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Malawi
- Low
- Prices · Malawi
- Low
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Malawi, side by side.
Verdict
Feb: Mixed
May: Great (better)
Crowds
Feb: Low
May: Medium
Prices
Feb: Low
May: Medium
Festivals listed
Feb: 0
May: 2
February: Wettest stretch in the south; cyclone remnants can flood the Shire valley.
May: Dry season starts; lake visibility improves for snorkelling at Cape Maclear.
Malawi: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast