Southern Malawi, Malawi: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2022]
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Traveling to Southern Malawi, Malawi? If you're planning to go to Southern Malawi, we have some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.
Contents
- When to go to Southern Malawi
- Important essentials for Southern Malawi
- Activities for Southern Malawi
- Southern Malawi in January: weather and what to pack
- Southern Malawi in February: weather and what to pack
- Southern Malawi in March: weather and what to pack
- Southern Malawi in April: weather and what to pack
- Southern Malawi in May: weather and what to pack
- Southern Malawi in June: weather and what to pack
- Southern Malawi in July: weather and what to pack
- Southern Malawi in August: weather and what to pack
- Southern Malawi in September: weather and what to pack
- Southern Malawi in October: weather and what to pack
- Southern Malawi in November: weather and what to pack
- Southern Malawi 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 Southern Malawi, Malawi
Based on the climate and weather in Southern Malawi, the best time to go is January. See below for details.
Important essentials for Southern Malawi, Malawi
Here are some general tips on what to wear in Southern Malawi, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.
COVID-19 ESSENTIALS FOR 2022
Travel insurance that includes COVID-19 coverage
Cases are climbing again, and areas are returning to lockdown. If you or a companion get COVID-19, you may be stuck with no way home -- but travel insurance can protect you. Learn more about COVID-19 and travel insurance
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Touchless thermometer
A touchless thermometer is important to have.
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N95 masks
These N95 masks provide the best level of protection you can have.
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Hand sanitizer
This hand sanitizer is an excellent plane-friendly option.
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(U.S. Residents) Telehealth COVID-19 test for entry to U.S.
U.S. residents still need a certified COVID-19 test to return home, but it can now be via Zoom. Learn more
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Travel disinfecting wipes
Use these to sanitize plane and hotel surfaces.
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A vaccine card protector
Vaccine cards frequently wear out. An unreadable vaccine card can cause severe consequences. This vaccine card protector helps avoid that.
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Kids' KN95 masks
N95 masks don't exist for kids. These are a good alternative (and can also be used by adults if N95 masks are not available).
General health necessities
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Emergency water purifier
Some areas may have potentially unsafe tap water, so it's useful to have an emergency water purifier like this one.
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Travel first aid kit
This one is a excellent kit.
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Emergency motion sickness relief
Don't forget these
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Plug adapter
A plug adapter that supports outlet types G. This one is sufficent for most locations, but you may want to check with your hotel.
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For families with young children
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Airplane or car necessities
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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 Southern Malawi may be sufficient. A good global SIM card is this one, but check the details before buying.
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Power bank for devices
A portable power bank, like this one
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Money/passport pouch
A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.
What to wear/what to pack for Southern Malawi, Malawi by month
Already know when you're traveling?
January
January in Southern Malawi is a perfect temperature. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the low 80s F (high 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
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Light skirts
-
Extra socks
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Sandals
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Bug repellent
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
A rain poncho to layer with a jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We recommend rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These are essential in a storm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Umbrella
This one is an excellent one to buy.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your belongings remain dry. We suggest:
February
February for Southern Malawi is a perfect temperature. Temperatures average in the low 80s F (high 20s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Light skirts
-
Extra socks
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Bug repellent
-
Sandals
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
A rain coat to layer with a jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We use these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These are essential in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Wind resistant umbrella
This one is a great option.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your suitcases remain dry. We recommend:
March
If you visit Southern Malawi during March, you are likely to see that it is warm and somewhat rainy. Temperatures tend to hover around the high 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the 60s F (high 10s C). In terms of precipitation, you can expect it to rain 5-10 days this month.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Light skirts
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Extra socks
-
Bug repellent
-
Sandals
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
A rain poncho to layer with another jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We recommend these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These pants are essential in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Umbrella
This one is a great one to buy.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your things remain dry. We recommend:
April
If you are traveling to Southern Malawi in April, you will notice that it is warm. Expect it to rain sometimes. Daytime temperatures are in the high 70s F (mid 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Bug repellent
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Sandals
-
Extra socks
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Light skirts
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
A rain coat to layer with another jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We recommend these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These are vital in a storm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Wind resistant umbrella
This one is an excellent choice.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your suitcases don't get wet. We suggest:
May
If you visit Southern Malawi during May, you are likely to see that it is warm 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 high 50s F (mid 10s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Bug repellent
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Extra socks
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Sandals
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Light skirts
-
A rain jacket to layer with a coat
-
100% waterproof footwear
We like rain boots:
-
Rain pants
Rain pants are vital in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Windproof umbrella
This one is an excellent option.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your belongings don't get wet. We recommend:
June
June is balmy and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures average in the low 70s F (low 20s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Sandals
-
Light skirts
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Bug repellent
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Extra socks
-
A rain jacket to layer with a jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We suggest rain boots:
-
Rain pants
Rain pants can be essential in heavy rain.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Wind resistant umbrella
This one is a great choice.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your suitcases remain dry. We like:
July
If you vacation in Southern Malawi during July, you might notice that it is balmy and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures tend to hover around the low 70s F (low 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 50s F (low 10s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sandals
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Extra socks
-
Bug repellent
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Light skirts
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
A rain poncho to layer with a jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We suggest rain boots:
-
Rain pants
Rain pants are vital in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Windproof umbrella
This one is a perfect one to buy.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your bags stay dry. We recommend:
August
In August, Southern Malawi is a perfect temperature and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures routinely are in the 70s F (mid 20s C) range. At night, lows are in the 50s F (low 10s C). This is also a rainy time for Southern Malawi, with of the days of the month having rain.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Sandals
-
Extra socks
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Light skirts
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Bug repellent
-
A rain coat to layer with another jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We recommend these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
Rain pants can be essential in a storm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Wind resistant umbrella
This one is an excellent one to buy.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your things don't get wet. We like:
September
If you go to Southern Malawi in September, you will notice that it is extremely warm and very dry with almost no rain. Daytime temperatures are in the low 80s F (high 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Light skirts
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Bug repellent
-
Sandals
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Extra socks
-
A rain poncho to layer with a jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We use rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These are a lifesaver in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Windproof umbrella
This one is an excellent one to buy.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your bags remain dry. We suggest:
October
If you visit Southern Malawi during October, you may see that it is hot and dry with little rain. Temperatures tend to hover around the 80s F (high 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the 60s F (high 10s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can keep you comfortable and protect you from the sun:
-
Skirts
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Bug repellent
-
Insulated water bottle
Our pick:
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses to provide UV protection and cool you.
-
Sunglasses
-
A rain coat to layer with another jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We like these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These will be vital in heavy rain.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Umbrella
This one is an excellent one to buy.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your things stay dry. We recommend:
November
November is hot. Temperatures average in the 80s F (high 20s C) during the day. It rains regularly.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Breatheable shirts
A cooling shirt can make you comfortable and guard against the sun:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Bug repellent
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Skirts
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses to provide UV protection and keep you cool.
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Sunglasses
-
Insulated water bottle
Our best choice:
-
A rain poncho to layer with a coat
-
100% waterproof footwear
We recommend rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These pants will be vital in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Wind resistant umbrella
This one is a great choice.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your things don't get wet. We suggest:
December
In December, Southern Malawi is pretty consistently hot. Temperatures routinely are in the low 80s F (high 20s C) and sometimes jump into the low 90s F (low 30s C) range. At night, lows are in the 60s F (high 10s C). This is also a rainy time for Southern Malawi, with of the days of the month having rain.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Extra socks
-
Bug repellent
-
Light skirts
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Sandals
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
A rain jacket to layer with a coat
-
100% waterproof footwear
We suggest these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These pants will be essential in heavy rain.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Windproof umbrella
This one is a great option.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your things stay dry. We recommend:
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