Malawi in March

Rains ease late in the month; green landscapes and low rates.

March 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.

• Southern Malawi: Southern Malawi · Blantyre, Zomba, Mulanje, Lake Malawi shorejuly

  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) / 16 °C (61 °F), 15 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 15 rain days
• Blantyre19 °C (66 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 152 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 152 rain days
• Cape Maclear27 °C (81 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 9 rain days
• Chikwawa30 °C (86 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 12 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 12 rain days
• Chintheche28 °C (82 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 17 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 17 rain days
• Chitimba29 °C (84 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 17 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 17 rain days
• Chizumulu Island29 °C (84 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 17 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 17 rain days
• Karonga26 °C (79 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 9 rain days
• Likoma Island27 °C (81 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 9 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 9 rain days
• Livingstonia27 °C (81 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 15 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 15 rain days
• Mangochi28 °C (82 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 14 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 14 rain days
• Monkey Bay29 °C (84 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 9 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 9 rain days
• Mua27 °C (81 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 9 rain days
• Mzuzu27 °C (81 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 16 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 16 rain days
• Nkhata Bay29 °C (84 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 19 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 19 rain days
• Nkhotakota28 °C (82 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 14 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 14 rain days
• Zomba27 °C (81 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 15 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 15 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.

• Martyrs' Day

  3 Mar

  Public holiday.

• Easter (Good Friday, Easter Monday)

  Mar–Apr (moves yearly)

  Long weekend; lake resorts and buses busy.

• Eid al-Fitr

  Varies (lunar)

  Public holiday; Muslim lakeshore towns such as Mangochi celebrate.

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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