Malawi in October

Very hot and hazy; superb game, but plan midday rest.

October 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, Likomahot

  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, Lengwehot

  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, Viphyabest weather

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

• Central plateau and cities · Lilongwe, Dedza, Blantyrehot

  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.

• Lilongwe31 °C (88 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 1 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 1 rain days
• Blantyre20 °C (68 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 29 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 29 rain days
• Cape Maclear26 °C (79 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 9 rain days
• Chikwawa33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 4 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 4 rain days
• Chintheche30 °C (86 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 3 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 3 rain days
• Chitimba31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 3 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 3 rain days
• Chizumulu Island30 °C (86 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 3 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 3 rain days
• Karonga25 °C (77 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 8 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 8 rain days
• Likoma Island26 °C (79 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 9 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 9 rain days
• Livingstonia30 °C (86 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 3 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 3 rain days
• Mangochi31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 3 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 3 rain days
• Monkey Bay27 °C (81 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 8 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 8 rain days
• Mua27 °C (81 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 5 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 5 rain days
• Mzuzu30 °C (86 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 3 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 3 rain days
• Nkhata Bay30 °C (86 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 2 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 2 rain days
• Nkhotakota30 °C (86 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 4 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 4 rain days
• Zomba26 °C (79 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 12 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 12 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.

• Mother's Day

  15 Oct (check)

  Public holiday.

Crowds · Malawi

Medium

Prices · Malawi

Medium

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

• Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen

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Rated best or good this month

• Highlands and plateaus

  Best weather of the year (Zomba, Mulanje, Nyika, Viphya)

• Blantyre

  Best months: May–Nov (dry season)

• Cape Maclear

  Best months: May–Nov

• Chikwawa

  Best months: May–Nov (dry season)

• Chintheche

  Best months: May–Nov

• Chitimba

  Best months: May–Nov (dry season)

• Chizumulu Island

  Best months: May–Nov (dry season)

• Karonga

  Best months: May–Oct (dry season, cooler evenings)

• Likoma Island

  Best months: May–Nov

• Livingstonia

  Best months: May–Oct (dry season, clear views)

• Mangochi

  Best months: May–Nov

• Monkey Bay

  Best months: May–Nov (dry season, calm lake)