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When to go · Madagascar

Madagascar, month by month

The best months for Madagascar: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov. Months to avoid: Jan, Feb.

Month by month

  1. JanuaryAvoidHeavy rain and cyclone risk; some lodges and the Tsingy close.Central highlands: rainy · East coast and rainforest: storm or typhoon risk · West and south-west dry belt: rainyCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
  2. FebruaryAvoidPeak cyclone month on the east coast and in the north; roads wash out.Central highlands: rainy · East coast and rainforest: storm or typhoon risk · West and south-west dry belt: rainyCrowds: Low
  3. MarchMixedRains ease in the highlands; cyclones still possible; green, quiet parks.Central highlands: rainy · East coast and rainforest: storm or typhoon risk · West and south-west dry belt: rainyCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
  4. AprilMixedTransition month: lush forests, baby lemurs in some parks, western tracks still drying.Central highlands: fine · East coast and rainforest: rainy · West and south-west dry belt: fineCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
  5. MayGreatDry season begins; good light, fewer visitors, Tsingy usually reopening (check).Central highlands: best weather · East coast and rainforest: fine · West and south-west dry belt: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
  6. JuneGreatCool highlands and dry west; Independence Day on 26 June fills transport.Central highlands: cool · East coast and rainforest: fine · West and south-west dry belt: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 4 festivals or holidays
  7. JulyGreatEuropean holiday peak; humpback whales off Sainte-Marie from July. Book drivers early.Central highlands: cool · East coast and rainforest: fine · West and south-west dry belt: best weatherCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
  8. AugustGreatBusiest month; chilly highland nights, whales, lodges full on the RN7.Central highlands: cool · East coast and rainforest: fine · West and south-west dry belt: best weatherCrowds: High · 4 festivals or holidays
  9. SeptemberGreatStrong month for lemurs, baobabs and whales; warming up.Central highlands: best weather · East coast and rainforest: best weather · West and south-west dry belt: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
  10. OctoberGreatHot in the west; jacarandas in Tana; lemur babies in many parks.Central highlands: best weather · East coast and rainforest: best weather · West and south-west dry belt: best weatherCrowds: Medium
  11. NovemberGreatWarm; first storms late in the month, reptiles active.Central highlands: fine · East coast and rainforest: best weather · West and south-west dry belt: hotCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
  12. DecemberMixedRains start; Christmas holiday traffic; the Tsingy closes (check).Central highlands: rainy · East coast and rainforest: rainy · West and south-west dry belt: hotCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays

Weather by region

How each climate zone rates each month.

Weather rating by region and month
RegionJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Central highlandsAntananarivo, Antsirabe, Ranomafana, FianarantsoaWetWetWetOKBestCoolCoolCoolBestBestOKWet
East coast and rainforestAndasibe, Toamasina, Île Sainte-Marie, MasoalaStormStormStormWetOKOKOKOKBestBestBestWet
West and south-west dry beltMorondava, Tsingy de Bemaraha, Isalo, Tuléar, IfatyWetWetWetOKBestBestBestBestBestBestHotHot
North and Nosy BeNosy Be, Diego Suarez, Ankarana, Amber MountainStormStormWetOKBestBestBestBestBestBestBestWet