Lilongwe, Malawi: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2022]
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Traveling to Lilongwe, Malawi? If you're planning to go to Lilongwe, I have some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.
Contents
- When to go to Lilongwe
- Important essentials for Lilongwe
- Activities for Lilongwe
- Lilongwe in January: weather and what to pack
- Lilongwe in February: weather and what to pack
- Lilongwe in March: weather and what to pack
- Lilongwe in April: weather and what to pack
- Lilongwe in May: weather and what to pack
- Lilongwe in June: weather and what to pack
- Lilongwe in July: weather and what to pack
- Lilongwe in August: weather and what to pack
- Lilongwe in September: weather and what to pack
- Lilongwe in October: weather and what to pack
- Lilongwe in November: weather and what to pack
- Lilongwe in December: weather and what to pack

About your travel guide
Hi! I'm Dev. I've traveled all over the world and in my travels, I have made many packing lists. In this series, my team and I have compiled the most useful information, as well as things we couldn't live without, to help you plan your trip.
When to go to Lilongwe, Malawi
Based on the climate and weather in Lilongwe, the best time to go is September. See below for details.
Important essentials for Lilongwe, Malawi
Here are some general tips on what to wear in Lilongwe, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.
COVID-19 ESSENTIALS FOR 2022
-
Travel disinfecting wipes
Use these to sanitize plane and hotel surfaces.
-
A vaccine card protector
Vaccine cards often become worn. An unreadable card can have severe consequences. This vaccine card protector helps stop that.
-
N95 masks to use in crowded airports
These N95 masks provide the best level of COVID-19 protection possible.
Travel insurance
If you or a companion get COVID-19, your amazing trip can be ruined. Good travel insurance can help. See plans
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Hand sanitizer
This hand sanitizer is an excellent plane-friendly option.
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Kids' KN95 masks
N95 masks aren't sold for kids. These are a good alternative (and can also be used by adults if N95 masks are not available).
General health necessities
Virus/bacteria filtering water bottle
Some rural areas may have unreliable tap water, so it's important to have a contaminant filtering water bottle.
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Travel first aid kit
This one is a good value.
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Emergency motion sickness relief
Don't forget these
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Money/passport pouch
A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.
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Airplane or car necessities
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Power bank for devices
A portable power bank, like this one
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For families with young children
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Plug adapter
A plug adapter that supports outlet types G. This one should be sufficient for most countries, but check with your hotel.
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Emergency phone
For this area, we suggest a good satellite phone. We recommend this satellite phoneHowever, in cities, a SIM card that works in Lilongwe may be sufficient. A good global SIM card is this one, but check the details before buying.
What to wear/what to pack for Lilongwe, Malawi by month
Already know when you're traveling?
January
January in Lilongwe is a perfect temperature. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the low 70s F (low 20s C) to low 80s F (high 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Bug repellent
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Sandals
-
Light skirts
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Extra socks
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
February
If you vacation in Lilongwe during February, you will probably see that it is warm. Temperatures tend to hover around the low 80s F (high 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 60s F (high 10s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Extra socks
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Sandals
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Light skirts
-
Bug repellent
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
March
If you go to Lilongwe in March, you will notice that it is a perfect temperature. Expect it to rain regularly. Daytime temperatures are in the low 80s F (high 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Extra socks
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Sandals
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Light skirts
-
Bug repellent
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
-
A rain jacket to layer with another jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We like these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These pants can be vital in heavy rain.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Windproof umbrella
This one is a great option.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your suitcases remain dry. We like:
April
If you vacation in Lilongwe during April, you may find that it is warm. Temperatures tend to hover around the low 80s F (high 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the high 50s F (mid 10s C). In terms of precipitation, you can expect it to rain sometimes.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Extra socks
-
Bug repellent
-
Light skirts
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Sandals
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
-
A rain poncho to layer with another jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We recommend rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These can be vital in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Windproof umbrella
This one is a perfect option.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your belongings don't get wet. We suggest:
May
May in Lilongwe is a perfect temperature and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures average in the high 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Light skirts
-
Bug repellent
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Sandals
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Extra socks
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
June
June in Lilongwe is a perfect temperature and very dry with almost no rain. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the 40s F (single digits C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Extra socks
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Light skirts
-
Sandals
-
Bug repellent
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
July
If you visit Lilongwe during July, you are likely to find that it is a perfect temperature and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures tend to hover around the 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 40s F (single digits C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Extra socks
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Light skirts
-
Sandals
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Bug repellent
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
August
August in Lilongwe is a perfect temperature and very dry with almost no rain. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the 40s F (single digits C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Light skirts
-
Sandals
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Bug repellent
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Extra socks
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
September
September for Lilongwe is hot and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures average in the low 80s F (high 20s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sandals
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Extra socks
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Light skirts
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Bug repellent
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
October
If you visit Lilongwe during October, you are likely to find that it can be very hot and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures tend to hover around the 80s F (low 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the high 50s F (mid 10s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Breatheable shirts
A cooling shirt can cool you down quickly and protect you from skin damage:
-
Sunglasses
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Insulated water bottle
Our fave also cleans contaminants:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Bug repellent
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses to provide UV protection and keep you cool.
-
Skirts
-
If you're going to the beach
November
November in this region is consistently hot. Temperatures average in the 80s F (low 30s C) during the day. It rains once in a while.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Breatheable shirts
A cooling shirt can keep you cool and guard against skin damage:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Insulated water bottle
Our first choice also filters harmful contaminants:
-
Bug repellent
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses to provide UV protection and help you stay cool.
-
Sunglasses
-
Skirts
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
If you're going to the beach
-
A rain coat to layer with a jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We use these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
Rain pants are essential in a storm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Wind resistant umbrella
This one is an excellent choice.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your belongings stay dry. We like:
December
December in Lilongwe is hot and somewhat rainy. Temperatures average in the low 80s F (high 20s C) during the day. It rains a bit less than half of the time.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Extra socks
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Sandals
-
Light skirts
-
Bug repellent
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
-
A rain poncho to layer with a jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We like rain boots:
-
Rain pants
Rain pants can be essential in a storm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Wind resistant umbrella
This one is a perfect option.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your belongings stay dry. We like:
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