When to go · Madagascar
Madagascar in June
Great month. Cool highlands and dry west; Independence Day on 26 June fills transport.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Crowds
- Medium
- Madagascar
- Prices
- Medium
- Madagascar
Verdict
Cool highlands and dry west; Independence Day on 26 June fills transport.
Weather in June
- Central highlands · Antananarivo, Antsirabe, Ranomafana, Fianarantsoacool
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, Masoalafine
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, Ifatybest weather
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 Mountainbest weather
Warm year round; the north-east trade wind blows hard at Diego June–September.
- Antananarivo20° / 9°, 2 rain days
Festivals and holidays
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.
Ascension and Whit Monday
May–Jun (moves yearly)
Public holidays.
Independence Day big impact
26 Jun
Parades, fireworks and packed taxi-brousses for several days either side.
Famadihana (turning of the bones)
Jun–Sep (varies by family)
Highland reburial ceremonies; you may be invited — go only with a guide's introduction.
Famadihana season check
Dry-season months, family-chosen dates · Antananarivo
Reburial ceremonies with music and dancing; you may see a procession outside the city — ask before joining or photographing.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Madagascar
- Medium
- Prices · Madagascar
- Medium
What to pack
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket
Where to go in June
Rated best or good this month
West and south-west dry belt
Best weather of the year (Morondava, Tsingy de Bemaraha, Isalo, Tuléar, Ifaty)
North and Nosy Be
Best weather of the year (Nosy Be, Diego Suarez, Ankarana, Amber Mountain)
Dry and cool; good month.