Best Time to Visit Lilongwe

Perched at 1,050 metres on Malawi's central plateau, Lilongwe enjoys a noticeably fresher, less humid climate than the lower shores of Lake Malawi or the Shire River Valley. The year falls neatly into three seasons: the cool dry winter (May to August), the warm dry spring (September to early November), and the green rainy season (late November to April). Overall, the finest window for combining Lilongwe's markets and forest trails with a trip down to the lake is May to October.

Cool Dry Season (May to August) brings months of unbroken sunshine, crisp highland air and zero rain. Afternoon highs in Lilongwe sit comfortably between 23°C and 25°C, making it a pleasure to walk the 180-hectare woodland loops of the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre or browse the open-air stalls of Old Town and Lizulu Market at midday. Keep in mind that nights in June and July drop to a brisk 7°C to 9°C on the plateau, and down on Lake Malawi a strong south-easterly wind known locally as the mwera occasionally whips up waves for a couple of days at a time.

Warm Dry Season (September and October) is prime beach and safari weather across Malawi. In Lilongwe, daytime temperatures climb to 28°C to 30°C while purple jacaranda and red flame trees bloom across Area 3, Area 10 and City Centre. Down at Senga Bay and Cape Maclear, the mwera winds drop, the lake turns glassy and warm for snorkelling among colourful cichlid fish, and late September or October often hosts the lakeside Lake of Stars music and arts festival.

Green Rainy Season (November to April) starts with dramatic storms in late November and peaks between January and March. Mornings in Lilongwe often begin bright and warm (26°C to 27°C) before afternoon downpours turn the central plateau and Dzalanyama hills a rich emerald green, drawing migrant kingfishers, bee-eaters and cuckoos into the Wildlife Centre and filling markets with mangoes and avocados. April is a lush, quiet shoulder month as the rains clear. Check what to wear in Lilongwe before packing.