We are working on the plan of a round-the-Africa voyage, starting from Egypt and ending in Gibraltar.

World Cruising Routes suggests crossing from Aden to Maldives in September…could it be done in March/April, when NE monsoon weakens? What kind of winds can one expect on this route this time of the year?

If the NE monsoon is getting weaker by March or April (as it normally does) the weather should be ok for your planned passage. Depending on your boat, you can make it later but as the SW monsoon gathers in strength, the winds around the Horn of Africa normally blow at 30 knots or even more.

Jimmy Cornell, noonsite