Lengwe National Park

Weather & Climate

Lengwe Operators

Expert

By Philip Briggs

Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Malawi.

Climate Chart Lengwe National Park – 78-166m / 256-545ft

Lengwe National Park has a hot climate, with a Wet season (November to April) and a Dry season (May to October). Being in the tropics, the average temperature is quite stable year-round. In the Dry season, the days are cooler, and the nights in particular get a bit cold, from May to September. There is a noticeable increase in temperature in October, before the rains begin.

Dry Season –May to October

There is almost no rain in the Dry season. The bush gets more and more dry as the season progresses, and animals gather at the waterholes. The Dry season is the best time for wildlife viewing. It is hot during the day, but cool at night.

May – This month heralds the beginning of the Dry season. The bush is still lush and there is a lot of water around, but rainfall has become minimal.
June & July – There is very little rain and the bush is drying out. These are the coolest months, with daytime temperatures around 28°C/82°F. It gets chilly at night, with average temperatures of 15°C/59°F. Warm clothing for early morning game drives is essential.
August & September – It doesn’t rain at all. The bush is thirsty now, and the rains can’t come soon enough. It is warming up, with an average daytime temperature of 32°C/90°F in September. Mornings are getting warmer.
October – Daytime temperatures continue to rise, averaging 35°C/95°F. Peak temperatures can be much higher, with the heat unbearable in the middle of the day. Mornings are lovely with temperatures around 23°C/73°F. Sometimes, the first rain falls in this month.

Wet Season –November to April

Afternoon showers are common in the warm Wet season, and there are thunderstorms, which are often spectacular. The sky is clear and the bush is lush.

November – The rains usually start in November and come as a relief because the bush is extremely dry. The average daytime temperature is 35°C/95°F. It doesn’t rain every day, and rain mostly comes in the form of afternoon thunderstorms.
December, January, February & March – The wettest months bring rain most days, but it rarely lasts the whole day. Daytime temperatures average 34°C/93°F, while nights and early mornings are around 20°C/68°F.
April – This is a lovely month. There is less rain, but everything is lush and green.