BROWSE MADAGASCAR TRIPS
Madagascar
The Best Time to Visit Madagascar
When Is the Best Season to Travel to Madagascar?
Since Madagascar has a tropical climate with many microclimates, the weather can vary greatly depending on the time of year and region of the country. The north and south tend to be warm and dry, while the highlands, including the capital, Antananarivo, are cooler. The east is mostly rainforest, where wet weather is always a possibility.
The best time to visit Madagascar is between April and November. There are heavy rains from December to March, so travel during that time is not recommended. Each season in Madagascar offers its own attractions: April and May’s landscapes are lush and vibrant, July provides cooler temperatures good for extensive hiking, September and October bring a new generation of baby lemurs, and warmer days in November are especially good for reptiles.
Madagascar Weather
| Destination | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
   | | | | | | | | | | | | ||
| Antananarivo (Highlands) | | 78° 61° 11.9″ | 79° 61° 10.2″ | 78° 60° 7.6″ | 77° 58° 1.8″ | 73° 53° 0.6″ | 71° 50° 0.4″ | 69° 50° 0.4″ | 69° 49° 0.4″ | 73° 51° 0.5″ | 77° 53° 1.9″ | 79° 58° 5.9″ | 78° 60° 10.4″ |
| Andasibe (East) | | 81° 63° 12.9″ | 82° 64° 13.3″ | 81° 62° 10.7″ | 79° 60° 4.3″ | 77° 55° 2.9″ | 73° 52° 3.6″ | 68° 51° 3.5″ | 69° 51° 3.1″ | 72° 53° 2.3″ | 77° 55° 2.1″ | 81° 59° 5.1″ | 82° 62° 10.4″ |
| Toliara (Southwest) | | 92° 72° 2.9″ | 89° 71° 2.7″ | 89° 69° 1.8″ | 89° 64° 0.3″ | 84° 61° 0.7″ | 81° 61° 0.5″ | 81° 58° 0.2″ | 80° 58° 0.2″ | 83° 61° 0.4″ | 86° 65° 0.6″ | 87° 69° 1.5″ | 91° 71° 1.8″ |
Dry Season in Madagascar: May-September
Why Visit Madagascar in the Dry Season?
Madagascar’s dry season is one of the best times of year to visit. You can expect mostly clear skies for excellent wildlife viewing. And during June through August you’ll find the most mild temperatures and low humidity, making perfect hiking conditions.
Why Visit Madagascar in May?
May is the best time for hiking adventures. This is the true start of the dry season, with temperate weather. Trees start losing their leaves, making it easier to see small birds, butterflies, and lemurs. It’s also a good time to see larger birds like eagles. With lifting humidity and days in the 70s, it’s a great month to go hiking, particularly in the rainforests of Andasibe, one of Madagascar’s premier reserves, created to protect the indri, the largest living lemur species.
Why Visit Madagascar in June?
June is the best time for viewing nocturnal species. This month begins the winter season, when days are typically cool and dry. Expect temperatures ranging from the mid 50s to high 70s, depending on where you are on the island. Birdlife is plentiful, but since it’s cooler, chameleons are harder to spot in the wild (although our guides are very good!). June still isn’t peak season in Madagascar, making this time relatively quiet.
Why Visit Madagascar in July?
July is the best time for southern exploration. While July is usually the coolest month of the year, for Madagascar that means sunny days in the 50s and 60s—although the warmer areas at the coast can still reach the 80s. We recommend itineraries like WT’s Magical Madagascar trip that focus on parks south of Antananarivo to avoid the haze that’s common in July as many farmers clear their fields with the slash-and-burn method. This is a good time to see the tsingy limestone formations, since it is cooler during the day.
Why Visit Madagascar in August?
August is the best time for birding and whale watching. We enter peak season, when the weather is at its most pleasant, wildlife is active, and whales can be spotted off shore. This is the month WT kicks off our Madagascar: Off the Beaten Path itinerary, which takes advantage of all the island-nation’s highlights, traveling across seven wildly different environments while avoiding peak crowds.
Why Visit Madagascar in September?
September is the best time for lemur mating rituals. In September, the weather in Madagascar is generally warm and dry, especially in the north and south. It’s the start of mating season for the indri, and a good time to hear its calls. Baby ring-tailed lemurs, born beginning in August, are easiest to see in September and October. As the seasons change from winter to summer, temperatures start to rise towards the end of the month.
What Dry Season Tours Should I Book?
Shoulder Season in Madagascar: April, October & November
Why Visit Madagascar in the Shoulder Season?
During Madagascar’s shoulder season, in between the dry and rainy seasons, you’ll find lush vegetation and fewer crowds. You can expect a chance of rain, but this is still a pleasant time to visit as rains are short, temperatures are warm but not sweltering, and wildlife is active.
Why Visit Madagascar in April?
April is the best time for quiet and lush landscapes. While you can still expect a chance of rain, April is an ideal time to visit, with vibrant green scenery, uncrowded parks, and temperatures that get up to the mid 70s. It’s the start of the season for the territorial stink fight between male ring-tailed lemurs—an entertaining spectacle. The weather is sunny during the day and cool in the evenings, and you can spot local rice farmers in the rice paddies harvesting the last crop of the season.
Why Visit Madagascar in October?
October is the best time for baby lemurs. The weather in October in Madagascar is warmer and midday can be hot in the south and north, with temperatures ranging from the mid 70s to high 80s. There is a chance of afternoon showers in the east. Considered one of the best months for wildlife, this is an ideal time to see baby and juvenile lemurs, as well as bird and fossa mating rituals (in Kirindy).
Why Visit Madagascar in November?
November is the best time for pleasant fall hiking. This warm month marks the start of the rainy season in the highlands of Madagascar, with afternoon showers common. It’s still dry in the east, making it a great time to experience Andasibe-Mantadia National Park and Ranomafana National Park. Daytime temperatures can be hot in the north and south, averaging in the high 80s, making this a good time to see reptiles and amphibians out cooling off.
What Shoulder Season Tours Should I Book?
Rainy Season in Madagascar: December-March
Why Shouldn’t I Visit Madagascar in the Rainy Season?
Due to the heavy rains and chance of storms, WT doesn’t host departures during the rainy season.
Usually the hottest month of the year in Madagascar, December sees temperatures often hit the 90s and heavy rains and tropical storms will start across much of the country. January is the height of the wet season, with frequent showers and muddied roads that make it hard to get around.
The wet season continues into February, when tropical cyclones can occur. March marks the end of the rainy season, but heavy downpours can still be expected this month. Travelers who contend with the potentially inclement weather will be rewarded with a special display: March is the end of the island’s orchid-bloom season.
Learn More
Talk to an Expert
Our Africa Specialists know every detail about our Madagascar trips. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!