Slopes Of Mount Mulanje In The Thuchila Valley Malawi

Mount Mulanje, Malawi

Best Time To Visit Malawi

An overview of Malawi's seasons

Malawi has something to offer visitors year-round, but there is some seasonality and better times of year to visit. Broadly speaking the seasons can be defined as follows:

High Season (July-October)

  • These are the peak travel months - it’s dry, which makes for good wildlife viewing in the parks, as animals concentrate around available water sources.
  • This is winter in Malawi and July is usually Malawi’s coldest month. However, the temperatures remain warm, generally in the low 20s in July, and it becomes increasingly hot as the year progresses.
  • A great thing about Malawi is that even peak season is not crowded compared with other destinations.

Mid (or Green) Season (November, March-June)

  • November is quite humid, ahead of the light rains that usually arrive mid-month. It’s also normally the hottest month, with daytime temperatures into the low 30s. Whilst some rainfall is likely, it is rarely persistent and can bring some cool relief, so November is still worth considering.
  • From March onwards is a beautiful time to visit Malawi – lush and green, with lots of colourful migrant birds around.
  • By May-June the rains are over completely. Although it becomes cooler at night, days are sunny and warm and it’s a good time to travel to take advantage of slightly lower rates, ahead of the start of the peak season.

Low Season (December-February)

  • The heaviest rainfall is during these months, particularly during January and February, when some lodges close for a few weeks.
  • This period brings impressive storms and it’s dramatic to watch the lightning lighting up the sky over Lake Malawi.
  • The birding can be great at this time of year and it’s the best time to see the orchids in Nyika.

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A month-by-month breakdown of visiting Malawi

Liwonde National Park Hippos

January - April

There are a few natural highlights that usually take place during certain months:

January to March: Over 200 species of orchid can be found blooming across the grasslands of Nyika National Park. Many migrant birds arrive to escape colder climates further north.

April: Wildlife is quite widely dispersed within the parks, with the landscape being lush and green, following the peak rains. This green season is a lovely time of year, with everything feeling fresh and alive with activity; many antelope species have recently given birth, so there are lots of young around.

Lilians love bird Malawi

May - July

May: In Liwonde National Park, the herds of dispersed elephant slowly start to return to the areas along the Shire River, as other temporary water sources start to dry up. Impala males begin to rut, competing over females ahead of the mating season in late May/early June.

June to July: Lillian’s Lovebirds come together in large flocks of hundreds from June through to August and Liwonde is one of the best places to witness this. This coincides with the flowering of the candelabra tree, which the birds feed on. Elephant herds can also number into the hundreds at this time. Crocodile mating takes place.

Eland malawi

August - December

August to September: Huge swarms of adult lake flies, which look like dense clouds of smoke, can be witnessed over Lake Malawi. Their larvae live on the bottom of the lake, where they feed, before they pupate, float to the surface and hatch in giant swarms. The swarms in turn attract an abundance of fish and birds. When the winds blow them to the shore, people catch them and make a deep-fried, burger-like, lake fly patty, which is a local delicacy.

October – November: The world’s largest antelope, the eland, can be seen in herds, numbering in the hundreds on the Nyika Plateau, which marks the start of breeding season. This is a special sight on the rolling grassland hills. The drier landscape and limited water sources make wildlife viewing easier.

December: Crocodile hatchlings can be seen and heard. Their high-pitched chirping calls alert their mother that incubation is over. She breaks open the sand-covered chamber and assists them out of their shells by rolling the eggs between her tongue and palate, before delicately carrying them to the water’s edge in her mouth.

Shirley Newman

What can I say….my son and myself had the most wonderful time in Kenya thanks to the first-class itinerary that Ben and Louise put together for us. We spoke with Ben many times to ensure he ‘got it right’. This was our 2nd visit to Kenya, and it certainly lived up to our expectations and memories. We stayed in four locations, firstly at the wonderful El Karama Lodge, Laikipia Wildlife Conservancy, where we even had a visit from Ruth from Far and Wild! Then, for a return visit, to Saruni Samburu, which is absolutely stunning and still one of our favourite places in the world. Next came Basecamp Mara Camp, where we saw our first Cheetah, the only animal we didn’t see on our first visit. After that, onto the wonderful Leopards Hill in the Naiboisho Conservancy, what a way to spend the last four days of this trip. Here we finally spent many hours with a beautiful leopard. Throughout our time in Kenya, we saw many lions, giraffes, elephants, ostriches, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards, to name just a few. Nothing was too much trouble for all the staff; we cannot have been looked after any better. Since our return again Ben phoned to see how it went in addition to emails. I would highly recommend Far and Wild; they are so knowledgeable and have personally visited the lodges and areas. We are already planning another visit, and we cannot wait.

16 Aug 2025
Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. We're particularly grateful that she suggested a private 'bush lunch' in the Ngorongoro Crater as the public picnic spot was very busy! I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

17 Sept 2025
Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, Okonjima Plains camp, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. Although not inexpensive I felt it was good value for the level of luxury we had. Kwessi Dunes, Shipwreck lodge, Ongava, Okonjima with pit stops Windhoek (city tour recommended ), Swakopmund (Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay tour) and Grootberg lodge (best sundowner drive )

31 Jul 2024
Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at Omali lodge at Sao Tome, then on Roca Sundy, and Sunday Praia at Principe - a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. Omali is close to Sao Tome town with its colonial buildings, markets, hustle and bustle. Roca Sunday gives an old plantation experience and Sundy Praia a luxury beach experience. Very friendly (from time to time a bit slow) service, great fresh food, specifically if you like fish/seafood, vegetables and fruits (almost all sourced locally). Nice temperature between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius, nice swimming conditions. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel (and I believe are) very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

3 Jul 2024
Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps, Camp Hwange in Zimbabwe and Muchenenje Safari Lodge in Botswana, was spot on and exactly what we had hoped for - ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The weather was, as usual for that part of the world, also good at the time of our visit. Blue skies and stunning sunsets. Warm but not too hot during the day, although quite cold at sunrise when viewing game. The viewing started. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

28 Jun 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

5 Jun 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

5 Jun 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

5 Jun 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

5 Jun 2024

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