Malawi Travel Guide Best Time To Visit
Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Malawi.
July to October are the best wildlife viewing months (from the middle to the end of the Dry season) as all water in the bush has dried up, and animals congregate around permanent water sources. Keep in mind, however, that October is extremely hot. The exception is Nyika Plateau, which gets very cold in the dry winter months. In Nyika, a more pleasant time is from November to May.
May to October Dry Season – Winter
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Wildlife viewing is at its best due to less vegetation and animals gathering around waterholes
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There is virtually no rain, skies are clear, and there are fewer mosquitoes
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Although it is high season, most of the parks won’t be crowded
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October can get very hot
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Morning game drives will be cold; pack warm clothing
November to April Wet Season – Summer
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The scenery is green and lush
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It is low season, meaning lower rates
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You can see newborn animals
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Best time for bird watching, with migratory birds present
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Rains are mostly short showers late in the afternoon
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Most camps stay open throughout the year
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Wildlife is harder to see as vegetation is thick and there's an abundance of water
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Some dirt roads become impassable; using a 4x4 is recommended across the country
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Malaria is a bigger concern than in the Dry season
Wildlife Photos
Herd of roan antelopes on green grass
© Yolanda Van NiekerkBuffalo bulls
© Ariadne van ZandbergenElephant herd drinking at the Shire River
© Christophe CerisierElands running over grassland
© Lifupa Conservation LodgeNile crocodile on the banks of the Shire River
© Ariadne van ZandbergenGreater kudus
© Ariadne van ZandbergenImpala ewe
© Ariadne van ZandbergenNile monitor lying on a rock
© Ariadne van ZandbergenWild dog
© Lifupa Conservation LodgeBushbuck
© Ariadne van ZandbergenCommon waterbuck
© Ariadne van ZandbergenAfrican elephant drinking in the Shire River
© Ariadne van ZandbergenVervet monkey portrait
© Christophe CerisierHippo in the Shire River
© Ariadne van ZandbergenHerd of common waterbuck
© Ariadne van ZandbergenImpalas
© Ariadne van ZandbergenHerd of African elephants on the road
© Ariadne van ZandbergenRoan antelope running
© Imaginary_nlElephant close-up
© David DaviesElephant herd at the Shire River
© Christophe Cerisier Best Time To Go by Major Park
Liwonde NP and Majete WR offer great wildlife viewing throughout the year, but the best months are the dry winter months, from May to October. (Generally, the dry months usually bring nicer travel conditions in Malawi.) Most other wildlife parks in the country follow the same pattern. Nyika NP has a different pattern – it’s open throughout the year but the dry winter months from May to September/October are bitterly cold on the plateau, while the warmer months from November to April are more pleasant at this altitude.