Lilongwe Weather in January 2026: what to expect (4.5/10)

The month in detail

What to expect in January

Even in winter, Lilongwe enjoys 26.0°C. A real asset for escaping the European cold. With 79.0% of rainy days, always have indoor alternatives planned.

January ranks 12 out of 12 months in Lilongwe. Compared to December: −2°C daytime, 20 pts more rainy days, −0.8h of sun per day.

This month's conditions

What it's like in January

UV index

8 · very high

protection essential

Feels like

muggy at times

18°

Daylight

12.7h of daylight

Air quality

excellent

AQI 16

Compare

Is January the right month?

The best month in Lilongwe is September (9.4/10), 4.9 pts higher than January.

See September →See all 12 months →

Context

Our verdict

Lilongwe, capital of Malawi in southern Africa: 990,000 inhabitants. Planned capital built ex-nihilo in the 1970s (previous capital = Zomba and Blantyre remains the economic capital), calmer atmosphere than Lagos-Nairobi-Kampala.

Read Gilles' full review →

Book

Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

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Stay

Hotels & rentals · Lilongwe

Expedia →

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Activities

Tours, tickets, experiences

See ↓

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Flights

Multi-airline comparator

Kiwi →

🎟️ Activities & tours · Lilongwe

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

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Affiliate link · GetYourGuide

Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a city break.

Country · Malawi

🗣️LanguageEnglish

💶CurrencyKwacha malawite (MK)

🚗DrivingLeft-hand

🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5

💰Cost of living ⓘVery cheap · 1/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeTemperate

📈Climate trend ⓘStable

🔥Hottest monthOctober · 31°C

❄️Coolest monthJune · 24°C

🌧️Rainiest month ⓘJanuary · 79%

🏛️ City break

📅Tourist peak seasonJune → August

☔Indoor sights ⓘYear-round

🚇Public transportGood

Explore

Other destinations in January

If January doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.

Similar climate

MadagascarMadagascar

HarareZimbabwe

LivingstoneZambia

Victoria FallsZimbabwe

MontereyUnited States

Nearby

TanzaniaTanzania872 km

Dar es SalaamTanzania999 km

Stone TownTanzania1050 km

ZanzibarTanzania1051 km

Other top picks

← December February →

🗺️ See all 754 destinations on the map

Location

Where is Lilongwe ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World

🔍 Geographic context

Malawi

Temperate climate with a 9.4 → 4.5 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.

13.97°S · 33.79°E

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Lilongwe?

September is the best month with 29.0°C highs, 15.0°C lows, 9.3h of sunshine and 1.0% rainy days. The months of September & August offer comparable conditions.

How many hours of sunshine does Lilongwe get in September?

Lilongwe averages 9.3 sunshine hours per day in September. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 9.2/10.

What is the rainiest month in Lilongwe?

January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.

What are the temperatures at night in Lilongwe in September?

In September, overnight lows reach 15.0°C, while afternoon highs average 29.0°C.

Is Lilongwe good in winter?

In winter (December-February), Lilongwe scores 6.1/10 on average — Decent period conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains September with a score of 9.2/10.

When should you avoid Lilongwe?

January is the most difficult month to visit Lilongwe, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.

Do you need sun protection in Lilongwe in January?

The average UV index reaches 8 in January in Lilongwe (very high), with about 12.7h of daylight. Protection essential.