When to go · Nkhata Bay

Nkhata Bay in January

Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Apr (rainy season; rain impacts on tracks and boat trips).

Key facts

Verdict: Avoid
Temperature: 29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C) / 21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C); average high / low
Rain days: 18
Crowds: Low; Malawi overall
Prices: Low; Malawi overall

Plan around it

Verdict

AvoidBest and avoid months for Nkhata Bay

Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Apr (rainy season; rain impacts on tracks and boat trips).

January is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

Long-term averages

Nkhata BayHighs around 29 °C (84 °F), lows around 21 °C (70 °F), rain on about 18 daysHighs around 84 °F (29 °C), lows around 70 °F (21 °C), rain on about 18 days
Lakeshore, Malawi · 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.

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

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

First month

Second month

January: Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Apr (rainy season; rain impacts on tracks and boat trips).

May: Inside Nkhata Bay's best window: May–Nov (dry season).

Nkhata Bay: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.