Geography & climate of Lilongwe

Plateau, river and location

Lilongwe sits near the centre of Malawi on the gently rolling Central Region plateau, roughly 1,050 metres above sea level. The elevation moderates the tropical latitude, giving the city warm days and cool nights rather than lowland heat. The Lilongwe River runs through the city from south to north, separating Old Town from the newer City Centre and feeding the green corridor that includes the Nature Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre.

Seasons and when it rains

The climate is subtropical highland. There are three broad seasons: a warm wet season from roughly November to April, when almost all the year's rain falls; a cool dry season from May to August, with chilly mornings; and a hot dry season in September and October before the rains return. Daytime temperatures are pleasant for most of the year, typically in the low-to-high 20s Celsius, with October the hottest month.

For trip planning, the dry months from May to October are the most comfortable and reliable for travel and wildlife.