Weather
As a tropical country, Malaysia is hot and humid year-round, but just how hot and humid depends on where you go and when. Temperatures don't vary wildly throughout the country and sit between 71°F (22°C) and 91°F (33°C) throughout the year. Places at higher altitudes are usually cooler. In April, western parts of the country are wettest; that includes Kuala Lumpur (where downpours can be particularly heavy) and Penang. Langkawi is still usually dry enough for a pleasant time on the beach.
April is generally quite dry in the east, including the islands off Peninsular Malaysia (such as the Perhentian Islands) and Malaysian Borneo (Sarawak and Sabah).
Crowds & Costs
April is a shoulder-season month for travel to Malaysia, although the country sees a steady stream of visitors throughout the year in different areas. Popular parts of western Malaysia (including Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi, and Melaka) see fewer tourists than in the "winter" month. However, the weather is still generally fine for visiting these places, and it's easy to escape a downpour in the capital by going inside. Eastern parts of the country get busier from March and April (until around October) as the rains clear and wildlife-watching activities in the forests, and national parks become possible.
Where to Go
Borneo is practically synonymous with orangutans in the minds of many travelers. It is indeed one of only two places in the world where it's possible to see them in the wild. The dry weather of April means wildlife-spotting activities in the jungles are comfortable and accessible. There's a good chance of spotting orangutans at the Semenggoh Nature Reserve near Kuching and the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in East Sabah. You may also see them from a cruise on the Kinabatangan River in north-eastern Sabah, along with proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, pythons, and elephants.
If you want to get out into nature but need to stay closer to Kuala Lumpur ("KL"), check out the jungle-covered mountains of Peninsular Malaysia. The Gunung Ledang National Park is roughly halfway between KL and Singapore. Within the park sits Mt. Ophir (4,186 ft/1,276 m). While it's not one of the highest mountains in Malaysia, it is a popular hiking and climbing destination. The climb to the top is perhaps surprisingly challenging and takes around six hours. You can enjoy other shorter, easier excursions within the park, though, including a short walk to the Puteri Waterfalls, where there's a bathing and a picnic area.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
What to Do
Active, adventure-loving travelers might want to climb Mt. Kinabalu in the Kinabalu National Park, eastern Sabah. Mt. Kinabalu is the tallest mountain in Malaysia, at 13,435 feet (4,094 m). April is a popular month to climb, thanks to the clear weather in this part of the country. It can be summited without technical equipment or knowledge, but the two-day climb is challenging and does include rope-assisted scrambles to reach the top. The views, however, are impressive when the clouds clear. If you don't want to climb the mountain, it's still worth visiting the surrounding national park to check out the range of flora and fauna you can see here.
Whether or not you make it to the summit of Mt. Kinabalu, you can enjoy some beach time at the Tunku Abdul Raman National Park after. This group of five islands is easily reached from Kota Kinabalu by boat. There are beautiful beaches with calm waters, great snorkeling and diving, a zipline between two of the islands, and other watersports, including parasailing and banana boating. The islands of the national park are popular for day trips but you can stay at resorts on Gayan Island and Manukan Island.
Events in April
Easter, especially Melaka. Malaysia is a multicultural country, and around 9% of the population practices Christianity. Melaka is the place to go to experience a Malaysian Easter, with candlelit processions leading to churches on Good Friday. Easter can fall in late March or early-mid April.
Ramadan, nationwide. More than 60% of Malaysians practice Islam, and the holy month of Ramadan sometimes falls partly in April. During this month, practicing Muslims fast during daylight hours. While this might affect restaurant opening hours in some places, and it's important to respect locals who are fasting, it can be a fun time to experience local culture after dark.
Declaration of Melaka as a Historical City Day, Melaka. April 15 is a public holiday in Melaka, when the city and state commemorate its declaration as a "historical city." Many businesses and offices closed.
Nuzul Al-Quran, many states. This Islamic holiday is a national holiday in states with large Muslim populations (all except Johor, Kedah, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Sabah, and Sarawak) and falls within Ramadan. Many businesses will be closed.
Traveling to Malaysia in April? Check out these great itineraries
Discover Sabah: Off the Beaten Path in Malaysian Borneo - 14 Days. Sabah is an area rich with culture, astonishing wildlife, incredible natural landscapes, and wild adventure that, when combined, make this Malaysian state a true gem of Borneo. Enjoy some lesser-known experiences and off-the-beaten trails throughout Sabah.
Grand Malaysian Borneo Adventure: Sabah & Sarawak States - 22 Days. On this 22-day adventure, you will cross Malaysian Borneo. You'll start in the state of Sabah, where you'll do river safaris, visit the island's northernmost point, and hike the highest mountain in Malaysia. Then, you'll head to the state of Sarawak, where you'll explore bat caves, stay in the heart of the jungle, and spend time in the eclectic city of Kuching.
More Helpful Information
Malaysia in March
Malaysia in May
Best Time of Year to Visit Malaysia
Malaysia Tours & Itineraries