Temperatures vary from below freezing (mid-winter July nights on the high plateaus) to 38°C (in the Lower Shire Valley in December, the height of summer). Through much of the year, and in regions visited by travellers, temperatures during the day are usually in the mid-20s°C.

Two seasons can be recognised; the dry season lasts from April through to November while the wet season lasts some four months, December to March, during which 95% of the annual precipitation takes place. Even in the so-called wet season, the rains are usually short-lived storms, as is typical of the tropics.

The low-lying areas such as Lower Shire Valley and some localities in Salima and Karonga are more vulnerable to flooding than higher ground but at no time does the climate seriously inhibit the traveller. Around Lake Malawi, there is generally slightly more rain due to evaporation off the lake, but in the warmer summer months this is a great cleanser and cooler of the air. The lake’s surface temperatures vary from about 24°C to 28°C all year round, so is always pleasant for swimming and diving. After March, the rainfall rapidly diminishes and from May to September wet mists float from the highlands into the plateaus, with almost no rainfall during these months.

Squeezed in between these two seasons is a hot and rather humid period which generally characterises November and early December, when temperatures are likely to reach the lower 30s°C during the day.

PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR REGARDING MALARIA, BILHARZIA AND OTHER POTENTIAL DISEASES BEFORE TRAVELLING TO MALAWI

Reading:
To find out more about Malawi or to bag some books, dvd's or music for your trip, please take a look at the Mud Hut's Reading List!