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When to go · Malawi

Malawi in January

Mixed month. Heavy rain, flooded dirt roads, some park tracks shut; the lake is warm but murky.

Key facts

Verdict
Mixed
Crowds
Low
Malawi
Prices
Low
Malawi

Verdict

MixedVoykit month rating for Malawi

Heavy rain, flooded dirt roads, some park tracks shut; the lake is warm but murky.

Is another month better than January?

January is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

Weather in January

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 shoremay

    Dry season; reliable roads, good wildlife viewing and pleasant lake conditions. Hot Dec–Mar can exceed 30 °C (86 °F).

  • Lilongwe27 °C (81 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 20 rain days
  • Blantyre20 °C (68 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 198 rain days
  • Cape Maclear28 °C (82 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 12 rain days
  • Chikwawa30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 14 rain days
  • Chintheche28 °C (82 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 16 rain days
  • Chitimba29 °C (84 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 18 rain days
  • Chizumulu Island29 °C (84 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 18 rain days
  • Karonga27 °C (81 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 12 rain days
  • Likoma Island28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 12 rain days
  • Livingstonia27 °C (81 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 16 rain days
  • Mangochi28 °C (82 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 16 rain days
  • Monkey Bay30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • Mua28 °C (82 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 12 rain days
  • Mzuzu27 °C (81 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 18 rain days
  • Nkhata Bay29 °C (84 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 18 rain days
  • Nkhotakota28 °C (82 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 16 rain days
  • Zomba28 °C (82 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 20 rain days

Festivals and holidays

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.

  • New Year's Day

    1 Jan

    Public holiday; lake lodges full with residents.

  • John Chilembwe Day

    15 Jan

    Public holiday; offices closed.

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

    Jan: Mixed

    May: Great (better)

  • Crowds

    Jan: Low

    May: Medium

  • Prices

    Jan: Low

    May: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    Jan: 2

    May: 2

January: Heavy rain, flooded dirt roads, some park tracks shut; the lake is warm but murky.

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

Build the full packing list for your trip →