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Malawi in January

January

January sees many lake lodges closed due to heavy rain, and the high temperatures are accompanied by equally high humidity.

What's the weather going to be like in Malawi in January?

  • Days are hot and nights have a sultry feel
  • January is in the middle of the country’s green season, so it’s very wet
  • Temperatures are high
  • Sturdy rainwear is a must, over cool layers
  • Thunderstorms are particularly prevalent this time of year.

What are the highlights of visiting Malawi in January?

  • This isn’t a popular time of year to visit, so where properties stay open it’s unlikely they’ll be booked up
  • It’s a magical month for birders – if you stay in a lodge offering birding as an activity, you’ll see many migratory species from the Northern Hemisphere
  • If you’re combining time on Lake Malawi with a Zambia safari, you’ll enjoy brilliant birding in the latter country too, as well as low rates, opportunities for boating safaris, gorgeously green scenery, and the charming sights of calving season
  • Hoping to avoid other travellers? January is certainly one of Lake Malawi’s quiet times.

Any lowlights?

  • The majority of Lake Malawi’s lodges are closed this month, and any that are open offer little in the way of activities
  • January can feel pretty humid, making conditions uncomfortable for some travellers
  • If you’re not keen on rain, this is not the best time for you to visit
  • There are a lot of mosquitoes about
  • Meanwhile in Zambia, there’s less availability of camps and lodges, dense vegetation makes for fewer wildlife sightings, and some areas can’t be accessed at all due to floods.

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