Lake Malawi
A freshwater lake so big it has tides, more species of fish than any lake on the planet visible right off the beach with a snorkel, and a nickname, the warm heart of Africa, that turns out to undersell it.
The best time to visit Lake Malawi is May–Oct, when typical daytime highs reach about 26°C (79°F). Local time there is 18:29 (UTC+2).
Good for
In season
The year at a glance
May · high 24°C · rain 6mm · 11.5h of daylight · in the recommended window
shaded columns are the recommended window
Measured at Lumbadzi, the arrival airport
Averages for 2019–2023 from Open-Meteo’s archive, not a forecast
| Month | High °CHigh °F | Rain mmRain in | Light | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°C77°F | 323mm12.7in | 12.9h12.9h | |
| February | 25°C78°F | 227mm8.9in | 12.6h12.6h | |
| March | 25°C77°F | 152mm6.0in | 12.2h12.2h | |
| April | 25°C77°F | 41mm1.6in | 11.8h11.8h | |
| May | 24°C75°F | 6mm0.2in | 11.5h11.5h | in the recommended window |
| June | 22°C72°F | 4mm0.2in | 11.3h11.3h | in the recommended window |
| July | 22°C72°F | 1mm0.0in | 11.4h11.4h | in the recommended window |
| August | 25°C77°F | 2mm0.1in | 11.7h11.7h | in the recommended window |
| September | 27°C81°F | 2mm0.1in | 12.0h12.0h | in the recommended window |
| October | 30°C86°F | 13mm0.5in | 12.4h12.4h | in the recommended window |
| November | 30°C86°F | 44mm1.7in | 12.8h12.8h | |
| December | 28°C82°F | 160mm6.3in | 12.9h12.9h |
Good to know
Would your whole group agree on it?
Can't agree where to go? Set what's actually possible, answer eight quick questions each, and out comes the one destination that fits everybody. Even the little ones join in, with questions read aloud and picture answers. Two minutes each, no signup.
Try it with your groupCommon questions
When is the best time to visit Lake Malawi?
The best time to visit Lake Malawi is May–Oct, when typical daytime highs reach about 26°C (79°F).
How warm does Lake Malawi get?
Typical daytime highs in Lake Malawi are Mar–May 25°C (76°F), Jun–Aug 23°C (74°F), Sep–Nov 29°C (84°F), Dec–Feb 26°C (79°F).
Is Lake Malawi expensive?
On the ground, Lake Malawi is cheap.
What sort of trip is Lake Malawi good for?
Lake Malawi is good for nature and scenery, relaxing holidays, beach and sun holidays, food and drink.
How rainy is Lake Malawi?
The wettest month in Lake Malawi is January at 323mm (12.7in), the driest July at 1mm (0.0in), with a monthly average of 81mm (3.2in).
What plug do I need for Lake Malawi?
Lake Malawi uses type G sockets at 230 V.











