Best Time to Visit Madagascar
Overall, the dry season from May to October is the best time to visit Madagascar. Firstly, these months have relatively low rainfall and clear sky, and the roads to the reserves and national parks are in better conditions. Secondly, the temperature during these months is pleasant, and you will feel neither hot nor cold.
Among these months, May - June and September - October are the best, because Madagascar receives many more tourists in July and August, which may affect your travel experience.
In specific, due to variation of the dry season among different parts of Madagascar, the best visiting time varies from one place to another, but not obvious: it is April - October for Antananarivo and Andasibe; May – October for Nosy Be; and April – November for Morondava and Ifaty.
See also: Madagascar Weather
![]()
City View of Antananarivo
|
Peak Season: July & August
These two months are the time of summer holiday in countries in the northern hemisphere, and a large number of tourists flock to Madagascar to avoid the summer heat. The increase of tourists leads to higher hotel and flight ticket prices. Therefore, if you plan to travel to Madagascar during this period, it is advisable to make reservations in advance, to ensure a smooth trip.
Shoulder Season: April - June; September - October; November - December
April – June and September – October belong to the dry season of Madagascar. The nice and cozy climate during this period attracts visitors.November and December belong to the rainy season, with not-so-good weather compared with the dry season. However, some visitors still travel to Madagascar in these months, because the rainfall is much lower in November than that of other months of the rainy season and December coincides with the Christmas and New Year holidays.
It’s cost-effective to travel in shoulder season than in peak season.
Slack Season: January – March
During
this period, the number of tourists in Madagascar is small, and you can enjoy a
quiet journey. Hotel prices and airfares are also cheaper than usual, which can
help you save money on travel.
However, you are advised to avoid traveling to Madagascar especially the central highlands and the northern coast during these three months: it’s the rainy season with frequent rainfall, and January and February are the rainiest months. In addition, these months are also the hurricane season, with possible severe weather such as violent storms and rain, especially in February. Some national parks are closed during this period due to the rainy weather.
Month |
Recommendation Rate |
Weather | Crowd |
January |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Quite Rainy, A Little Hot |
Uncrowded |
February |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Quite Rainy, A Little Hot |
Uncrowded |
March |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Rainy, Warm |
Uncrowded |
April |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
A Little Rainy, Warm |
Average |
May |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Sunny, Warm |
Average |
June |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Sunny, Relatively Cool |
Average |
July |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Sunny, Relatively Cool |
Crowded |
August |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Sunny, Relatively Cool |
Crowded |
September |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Sunny, Warm |
Average |
October |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Sunny, Warm |
Average |
November |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
A Little Rainy, Warm |
Average |
December |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Quite Rainy, A Little Hot |
Average |
![]()
Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park
|
|
|
![]()
Cute and Active Lemur
|
![]()
Whale Watching
|