Malawi
Lilongwe in January
🌧️ Rainy seasonPleasant, a little humid and very wet.
🎒 Pack: compact umbrella or rain jacket
Why January scores 8.4What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort7.7
- ✓Comfortable temperatures (26°C highs / 18°C lows)
- !Humid (dew point 18.5°C)
- !Wet: ~223 mm rain, ~7 heavy-rain days
- Air quality9.6
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~8 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards9.5
- !Flood: ~7 heavy-rain days in an average January
- Safety baseline7.0
- ·Increased caution
| Jan | May | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.4 Very good | 9.6 Excellent |
| Season | 🌧️ Rainy season | ☀️ Dry season |
| High / low | 26° / 18° | 26° / 12° |
| Rain | 223 mm | 12 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 19° | dew pt 13° |
| PM2.5 | 8 µg/m³ | 5 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Lilongwe weather-station normals. Rainfall: Lilongwe weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsJanuary 2027
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- New Year 1–3 Jan · 3 days off in a row
- John Chilembwe Day 15–17 Jan · 3 days off in a row
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore LilongweEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyMalawi's capital is a spread-out, green city split between the busy Old Town and the government area of Capital Hill. Most travellers pass through on the way to Lake Malawi or the national parks, but it has a few worthwhile stops.
John Chilembwe DayEvery year15 January every year
A public holiday honouring the early independence figure John Chilembwe.
Why go: Offices and banks close for the day.
Where: Nationwide
Coming up later
Independence DayEvery year6 July every year
A national holiday marking independence in 1964.
Why go: Expect ceremonies and business closures; book transport ahead around the holiday.
Where: Nationwide, with celebrations in Lilongwe
Lilongwe Wildlife Centre
A wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre set in woodland in the middle of the city, with guided tours and forest trails.
💡 Join a guided tour to learn about the animals in care; check tour times on arrival.
Lilongwe Old Town Market
A large, lively market selling produce, second-hand clothes, household goods and fabric.
💡 Go with a local guide if it is your first time, and keep valuables close.
Kamuzu Mausoleum
The tomb and memorial of Malawi's first president, set in landscaped grounds near Capital Hill.
Dzalanyama Forest Reserve
A forested range southwest of the city, good for birdwatching, walking and mountain biking.
💡 Roads can be rough in the rainy season; a 4x4 is best.
Nsima with ndiwo
Malawi's staple stiff maize porridge, eaten by hand with a relish of greens, beans, meat or fish.
💡 Local restaurants and market eateries throughout the city.
Chambo
A tilapia fish from Lake Malawi, usually grilled or fried whole and served with nsima or chips.
💡 Most local and mid-range restaurants.
Usipa
Small sardine-like lake fish, eaten fried or dried and stewed in tomato relish.
💡 Markets and simple local eateries.
Wood carvings and chief's chairs
Carved wooden figures, bowls and the distinctive two-piece slotted 'chief's chair'.
💡 Craft sellers in the city and roadside craft stalls.
Malawian tea and coffee
Tea and coffee grown in Malawi's southern highlands and north, sold in gift packs.
💡 Supermarkets and gift shops.
Chitenje
Colourful printed cotton wraps used as skirts, baby slings and for tailoring.
💡 Old Town Market and fabric shops.
Airport transfer Kiwitaxi
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