Like many others dreaming about a trip to the Great Red Island, you might wonder when is the best time to visit Madagascar. The weather and the best conditions for some activities vary over the year in different regions, so it might be worth factoring that in. That said, Madagascar is a great destination year-round, but each month has pros and cons.
The Climate in Madagascar
Madagascar is a huge island and has several subclimates, so the weather varies tremendously throughout the island. Overall Madagascar is in a subtropic climate belt, and the weather is characterized by having two seasons; wet season and dry season. The rainy season runs from November to March and has the highest temperatures. The dry season is from April to October. In the dry season, the temperatures are milder. It’s a perfect time to visit for those not accustomed to the heat. Even so, don’t pay much attention to the general seasons, but focus on the region in which you plan to stay, as the climate differs. The best time to visit Madagascar will simply depend on where you’re going.
When talking about the weather in Madagascar, it makes good sense to split the country into five regions. Central Highland, Southern Madagascar, Northern Madagascar, Western Madagascar, and Eastern Madagascar.
Central Highland
Throughout the center of the country, a mountain range divides the east and west. In the central highlands, you find some of the largest cities. Antananarivo and Antsirabe among them. The climate here is cooler than the rest of the country, as the altitude is higher. During the coldest months (June to August), pack a sweater. The temperatures in Antananarivo are average around 14 degrees, but can easily go as low as 10. From October to April, you can expect an average of 20 degrees.
The weather is generally mild. The extreme weather conditions that often impact the coastal regions have rarely reached the highland. But rain occurs from December through March.
Southern Madagascar
In the south, the climate is dry throughout the year. Especially the western part of the south has large desert areas and is often the victim of drought and hunger due to the lack of rain. The temperatures in the south can get very high, an average of 27 degrees, and to make matters worse, the water temperature is about the same, making it very hard to refresh.
The southeast is more pleasantly tempered than the rough southwest and does receive some rain in the rainy season.
If into the dry heat, there are plenty of pros to visiting Southern Madagascar – for example, you don’t need to make room in your luggage for a rain suit!
Northern Madagascar
The north of Madagascar is generally warm all throughout the year. The western coast is a bit warmer and dryer than the eastern coast, but both receive much rain in the rainy season. As you reach the east coast, rainfall becomes a daily pleasure.
The temperatures in northern Madagascar average around 24 degrees. Colder in the dry season and warmer in the rainy season. Warmer by the coast and cooler in the mountains.
Western Madagascar
The western part of Madagascar is dry compared to the east but still enjoys heavy rainfall during the rainy season. The further north you go, the wetter the climate and the greener nature.
Temperatures are averagely around 25 degrees, but it’s especially warm during March, April, November, and December when the average temperature hits 30 degrees. Make sure to have a water bottle nearby!
Furthermore, the west and the south are less prone to winds than the east. The temperatures feel a lot hotter in these parts of the country.
Eastern Madagascar
On the eastern coast of Madagascar, the seasons are different than in the rest of the country. Since there’s no land between Madagascar’s east coast and Asia, it’s very exposed to the eastern tradewinds. Instead of having a dry season and a rainy season, rainfalls come every day throughout the year. November to March is wetter than April through October, but the difference is not significant as in the rest of the country.
January, February, and March are known to be the cyclone season. These are the months with the highest occurrence of cyclones, which creates the most obstacles in the east. Now, there’s no guarantee that cyclones don’t hit the rest of the year, but the odds are a bit worse during these months.
If traveling to the east in these months, read my article Is Madagascar Safe for Tourists? for advice on how to stay safe.
The temperatures are an annual average of 25 degrees. A bit cooler from June to September and warmer the rest of the year. But even though the east can reach some very high temperatures, it usually feels more comfortable due to the wind.
Although rainfalls come every day, they don’t come all day every day. More like 2 x 10 minutes of heavy and warm rain each day, so while it’s a good idea to pack a raincoat, there’s absolutely no reason to fear it will ruin your vacation.
Tourism Seasons in Madagascar
In Madagascar, tourists have a tendency to come at the same time. June to August is in generally the most popular time for visitors. First of all, those are the months of European school vacations. Secondly, the season is dry, which makes it easier to come around.
As mentioned several times on this blog, Madagascan infrastructure leaves much to be desired. When heavy rainfall occurs, the roads and bridges are often ruined. And the many areas where no roads exist are harder to travel in. Some areas are even inaccessible.
June through August are also the coolest month and offer a comfortable temperature throughout the country. Except for the Highland, where you must bring a cozy sweater.
One significant problem with traveling to Madagascar in June, July, or August is that tourism is highly underdeveloped, and have a hard time accommodating the spike in the number of tourists. More lines, more people, and higher prices must be expected.
The low season is the rainy season. While there’s a spike in tourism in December due to the holidays and New Year, the rest of the rainy season – January through March – sees few tourists.
While traveling to Madagascar can be difficult during the wet months, it’s one of the best times of year to watch the wildlife. The animals are the most active this time of year, plus you might have entire national parks to yourself.
The rest of the year is what we call shoulder seasons. April, May, September, October, and November are great times to visit. The weather is mild, and nothing is too crowded.
Which Months Are the Best Time to Visit Madagascar?
Weather and climate are just one thing to consider when planning your trip. There are plenty of other things to factor in depending on which activities you want to enjoy while you’re there. Some animals are easier to spot in certain periods of the year, and different cultural events happen each month. When is the best time to visit Madagascar? That depends on who you are and what you wish to experience.
January
Significant for January is that the low season is starting, which means very few tourists. Furthermore, the rain starts to set in, making transportation more difficult, but also creating great opportunities for wildlife viewing.
The climate is warm and humid, traveling is cheap, and nature is ready to unfold.
February & March
February and March, while the roughest months weatherwise, are also my favorites.
Tourism is at its lowest, meaning that you have National Parks, and sometimes even entire hotels, for yourself. And the animal life is exploding. Reptiles return from hibernation, and birds and lemurs thrive in the rain. The forests are luscious and green.
On the downside, some areas are inaccessible, several parks are closed, and you might have to improvise a change in your trip once or twice due to extreme weather. But if adventurous, it’s the best month to go.
April & May
In April, the temperature starts to cool down, offering more pleasant travel conditions. Some parks and areas might still be closed due to rain, but by May, Madagascar is all up and running again.
These are the months for cultural events. Several festivals such as Nosy Be Jazz Festival, ZegnoZo & Donia in North, create colorful experiences throughout the region.
Easter is as well a celebration in Madagascar. The streets will be full of happy Malagasy, and music is played on every street.
June, July & August
Winter is upon us. Temperatures are well-fitted for those not thriving in excess heat. It’s the most popular time to visit, meaning that tourism is at its highest.
Local communities and hotel owners are doing their best work, creating memorable experiences and events tailored specially for tourists.
Furthermore, it’s the season of the whale migration, which can be watched on both the east and west sides of the country.
If you’re lucky enough to be in Madagascar on June 26th, you’re in for one hell of a party! It’s Madagascar’s Independence Day and is celebrated much like the 4th of July in the USA. Fireworks, lights, gowns, music, colors, and big smiles are flowing through every street in the country.
September
By September, the ”winter” has been raging for long enough to have changed the flora. Trees are less green, which makes it the perfect month for bird watching.
Furthermore, the temperature is now starting to rise, creating some wonderfully warm nights depending on the region you stay in.
October
If you’re visiting Madagascar in October, you should spend a few days in Antananarivo. The annual Jazz Festival, Madajazzcar, is the catalysator for an entire month of incredible musical experiences. People from all over the world travel here to play and listen to jazz. The city is one big happy family.
While the festivities are most prominent in Antananarivo, the festival has spread beyond its borders. In general, jazz will be the poster model for having a good time throughout the country.
November
November is the best time to spot baby lemurs. Yes, you read it right. BABY LEMURS. Many lemur species mate between April and May and give birth in September and October. By November, you can see parents carrying the young ones in the treetops.
If you don’t have a chance to get there in November, don’t worry. Lemurs tend to be babies for quite a while, so there’s still a chance to see them during the low season and spring.
December
Christianity is the biggest religion in Madagascar, so Christmas is a celebration as in many other countries. Food, music, church, and parties are essentials in local life these days. And it doesn’t stop there. New Year is as well a huge thing for the Malagasy, who are partying for days celebrating the year past and the year to come.
It is a great month for indulging in Malagasy culture.
Ready to go to Madagascar?
Hopefully, this article gave you a better idea of when to plan your vacation. As you can see, the best month depends on which area you dream of visiting, so that’s the first thing to consider. Out of ideas? Read my suggested itineraries, and customize them to fit the trip of your dreams.
The Ultimate Itinerary: Madagascar in 3 Weeks
Travel Guide for Madagascar: 14-Day Itinerary
How to Make the Most of Madagascar in 10 Days
Bon voyage!
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