Madagascar in January

Heavy rain and cyclone risk; some lodges and the Tsingy close.

• Central highlands · Antananarivo, Antsirabe, Ranomafana, Fianarantsoarainy

  Cool, even chilly nights June–August (5–10 °C); the rains fall November–March as afternoon storms.

• East coast and rainforest · Andasibe, Toamasina, Île Sainte-Marie, Masoalastorm or typhoon risk

  Rain in every month; cyclones land here January–March. Sainte-Marie's whale season is July–September.

• West and south-west dry belt · Morondava, Tsingy de Bemaraha, Isalo, Tuléar, Ifatyrainy

  The driest part of the island; the Tsingy de Bemaraha is closed roughly December–April because tracks flood.

• North and Nosy Be · Nosy Be, Diego Suarez, Ankarana, Amber Mountainstorm or typhoon risk

  Warm year round; the north-east trade wind blows hard at Diego June–September.

• Antananarivo26° / 17°, 20 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• New Year

  1 Jan

  Holiday; family gatherings.

• New Year's Day

  1 January · Antananarivo

  A public holiday; many shops close.

Crowds · Madagascar

Low

Prices · Madagascar

Low

• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
• A spare day in the plan: storms can cancel flights and ferries

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Better another month

• East coast and rainforest

  Rain in every month; cyclones land here January–March. Sainte-Marie's whale season is July–September.

• North and Nosy Be

  Warm year round; the north-east trade wind blows hard at Diego June–September.

• Antananarivo

  Cyclone season and heavy rain; flooding and road cuts.