Malawi in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

December Weather in Malawi

28°C (82°F) High Temp

18°C (64°F) Low Temp

200mm (7.9 inches) Rainfall

80% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Lake Malawi is at its most spectacular - storms create dramatic cloud formations and the water is warmest at 26°C (79°F) making swimming perfect
Landscape is emerald green and waterfalls are at full power - Livingstonia Falls drops 125m (410ft) in December vs barely trickling in dry season
Cichlid fish breeding season means incredible underwater visibility and activity for snorkeling - December is peak spawning time
Mango season peaks in December with roadside vendors selling 20+ varieties for 50-100 kwacha ($0.05-0.10) per fruit

Considerations

Roads to remote areas become impassable - the M1 to Karonga can be cut for hours after storms, and dirt roads to lodges require 4WD
Power outages increase to 4-6 hours daily during storms, affecting ATMs, restaurants, and lodge amenities
Malaria risk peaks with standing water everywhere - cases increase 300% in December/January according to Ministry of Health data

Best Activities in December

Lake Malawi Snorkeling and Island Hopping

December offers the warmest water temperatures at 26°C (79°F) and peak cichlid breeding activity. The dramatic storm clouds create incredible photography opportunities, and afternoon storms usually pass within 45 minutes. Best snorkeling is 7am-11am before daily storms build.

Booking Tip: Book island trips 3-5 days ahead through lodge operators. Half-day trips typically cost 15,000-25,000 kwacha ($15-25). Avoid afternoon departures after 1pm due to storm risk. Look for operators with weather radios and covered boats.

Liwonde National Park Safari Drives

Animals concentrate around permanent water sources during rains, making game viewing predictable. Elephants gather at Shire River in huge numbers - December herds can reach 200+ animals. Early morning drives (6am-9am) avoid afternoon storms and offer the best wildlife activity.

Booking Tip: Book 7-10 days ahead as only 3 lodge operators run game drives. Full day safaris cost 35,000-50,000 kwacha ($35-50). Ensure vehicles have proper rain covers and 4WD capability for wet season conditions.

Mulanje Massif Hiking and Waterfall Tours

December transforms Mulanje into a green great destination with dozens of waterfalls at full flow. The challenging Chambe Peak trail becomes extremely slippery but rewards with dramatic mist and cloud forest conditions. Likhubula Falls is most accessible and spectacular in December.

Booking Tip: Book guided hikes 5-7 days ahead through Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust approved guides. Day hikes cost 8,000-15,000 kwacha ($8-15). Porters essential for wet season hiking - budget additional 5,000 kwacha ($5) per day.

Traditional Village Cultural Experiences

December is harvest preparation time when communities perform traditional rainmaking ceremonies and prepare for the growing season. Many villages welcome visitors to participate in communal activities like preparing nsima and traditional brewing. Post-storm evenings feature storytelling sessions.

Booking Tip: Arrange through cultural tourism associations 3-4 days ahead. Community visits typically cost 3,000-8,000 kwacha ($3-8) per person. Bring small gifts like soap or school supplies. Afternoon visits work well as activities continue despite brief storms.

Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve Canoeing

Wet season creates perfect conditions for canoe safaris on the Bua River. Wildlife comes to drink regularly, and bird life peaks with migrant species. December offers the most reliable water levels for 2-3 hour canoe trips through pristine wilderness areas.

Booking Tip: Book canoe trips 4-6 days ahead through reserve headquarters. Half-day trips cost 12,000-20,000 kwacha ($12-20) including guide and equipment. Morning trips (7am-10am) offer best wildlife viewing and avoid afternoon storms.

Lilongwe and Blantyre Market Food Tours

December brings peak season produce to markets - fresh mangoes, baobab fruit, and harvested maize create incredible variety. Traditional foods like thobwa (fermented drink) and seasonal delicacies are most available. Market activity peaks 6am-10am before afternoon rains.

Booking Tip: Self-guided market tours work best - hire local guides at market entrances for 2,000-4,000 kwacha ($2-4). Budget 5,000-10,000 kwacha ($5-10) for food tastings. Visit between 7am-11am for best selection and to avoid afternoon storms.

December Events & Festivals

Late December

Tumaini Festival

International music and arts festival held at Dzaleka Refugee Camp featuring African and international artists. Unique cultural exchange celebrating resilience and creativity through music, dance, and art exhibitions.

Mid December

Lake of Stars Festival Preparation Events

Pre-festival workshops and community events leading up to the main festival. Local communities showcase traditional music and dance, with instrument-making workshops and cultural performances.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Quick-dry hiking pants and shorts - cotton stays wet for hours in 80% humidity and frequent rain

Waterproof phone case - afternoon storms can soak everything in minutes and many activities involve water

SPF 50+ sunscreen in waterproof formula - UV index hits 10 even on cloudy days at Lake Malawi's altitude

Lightweight rain jacket with hood - storms hit fast and umbrellas are useless in the wind

Antimalarial medication started 1-2 weeks before arrival - December has highest transmission rates

Quick-dry towel - regular towels never fully dry in wet season humidity

Waterproof hiking boots with good grip - trails become slippery mud slides after rain

Insect repellent with 20%+ DEET - mosquito activity peaks during wet season

Portable phone charger/power bank - expect 4-6 hour daily power outages during storms

Cash in small denominations - ATMs frequently offline during power outages, most purchases under 5,000 kwacha ($5)

Insider Knowledge

Book accommodations with backup generators - most lodges have power cuts 4-6 hours daily during December storms, but only established places have reliable backup power

Carry exact change in 500-2,000 kwacha notes - vendors can't break large bills during market season and mobile money systems go offline during storms

Time activities for 7am-11am window - this is when locals do outdoor work, wildlife is most active, and storms haven't built up yet

Download offline maps and carry physical cash - data networks become unreliable during storms and card payments fail frequently in December

Avoid These Mistakes

Planning afternoon outdoor activities after 1pm - 80% of December storms hit between 1pm-5pm making most outdoor activities impossible

Bringing only one pair of shoes - nothing dries completely in wet season humidity, you need backup footwear

Relying entirely on ATMs and card payments - power outages during storms make electronic payments unreliable, always carry cash backup