Best Time to Visit Ankarana

Ankarana is a national reserve featuring the Tsingy landform and experiences a tropical savanna climate. Monthly average temperatures of Ankarana don’t show an obvious variation and typically range from around 18 to 32 degrees Celsius (64 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit). So weather here is generally hot all year round and the most vital factor determining the best time to visit the reserve is the rainfall, which differs a lot between two seasons.

Limestone Tsingy in Ankarana

From May to October, Ankarana just gets low rainfall in about 1 to 7 days per month on average, meaning that you will encounter many sunny days during your stay as long as you check the weather forecast in advance. Besides, the climate of Ankarana is not that humid this season with an ideal humidity between about 63% and 72%. Therefore, the local dry season from May to October by virtue of low rainfall becomes the best time to visit Ankarana.

See also: Ankarana Weather

The local dry season provides better road and weather conditions for tourists to travel to and hike in the reserve. More specifically, dirt roads basically won’t become so muddy and slippery as they are in the rainy season, and it’s relatively convenient to arrive at the reserve. Besides, the dry season with more sunny and cloudy days makes it relatively smooth and safe for tourists to hike in the reserve.

One of the highlights in the reserve is the Tsingy landscape, which is more impressive under clear sky on sunny days. Such scenery is worth being photographed by your camera. Besides, endemic animals such as Ankarana sportive lemurs live in the reserve. The lemurs are nocturnal and they usually stay in the tree holes in the daytime for a rest. With better visibility on sunny days, people are more likely to spot them in the tree holes.

People Hiking in Ankarana

Ring-tailed Mongoose in Ankarana

In addition to endemic animals, more than 300 varieties of plants grow in the reserve and most of them blossom between September and October, so these two months become the best time for plant lovers to visit the reserve.

What should not be missed is the Euphorbia ankarensis, a spiky plant growing in the stone forests. Every October, when the dry season draws to an end, the blossoming period of this plant begins and you can find brilliant red flowers among dark-grey rocks.

Baobabs in Ankarana

Green Plants and Dark Grey Tsingy

Ankarana has the largest underground cave network in Madagascar and cave exploration is an indispensable part of people’s tours. To view stalactites and bats in caves safely and smoothly, you are suggested to pick a sunny or cloudy day in the dry season for your cave tour. On wet days this season, rainfall more or less affects road conditions and visibility in the reserve and the cave tour thus becomes a little inconvenient and dangerous.

Cave Exploration in Ankarana

Scenery above Karst Cave in Ankarana

In the local rainy season from November to April, there are averagely 9 to 22 wet days per month and the reserve could experience heavy rain. High rainfall makes road conditions bad, and hence it’s difficult to get to the reserve. Besides, sudden heavy rain makes the water level in the caves rise sharply, and cave tours thus become impractical. So it’s not recommended to travel here in this season.

However, if you insist on visiting Ankarana in its rainy season for viewing more flourish plants, it’s more suggested to make your tour in November, 2025 or April, 2026 with lower rainfall in fewer wet days compared with the other months this season.

1. If you plan to choose a hiking circuit including karst cave exploration, you’re suggested to bring your professional hiking gear including quick-dry long-sleeved outfits, anti-slippery hiking shoes, a helmet with front light, and a waterproof bag.
2. To prevent sunburn, don’t forget to bring your sun-protective jacket or sunscreen.