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Best Time to Visit Madagascar

Indian Ocean · Month-by-month weather, seasons and what to do — from Noura's Destination Finder.

Noura's timing tip: Wildlife travel peaks in the April-October dry season; in the January-March rains many western roads (including the track to Tsingy de Bemaraha) flood and become impassable, and some parks and lodges close. Domestic Tsaradia flights are frequently delayed or cancelled, so build in generous buffer days around international connections.
Best months
May–Oct
Flights from the US
🟡 One connection
Great for
couples · adult group · female solo traveler · families with kids
Seasons at a glance
MayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctober AprilNovember JanuaryFebruaryMarchDecember

🟢 Peak season  ·  🟠 Shoulder  ·  ⚪ Off-peak

Madagascar month by month

Average temperatures, sunshine and the feel of each month. Getting the timing right is half of a great trip.

MonthAvg °FSunRainSeasonWhat it's like
January 63–79°F 7h Very High (312mm) Off-Peak Hot, wet highland summer; lush and green but many roads and parks awash.
February 64–79°F 6h Very High (237mm) Off-Peak Peak wet season and cyclone risk on the coasts; verdant but hard to travel.
March 63–79°F 6h High (156mm) Off-Peak Rains ease slowly, leaving emerald landscapes and quiet, humid parks.
April 61–78°F 7h Low (45mm) Shoulder Drying, green and pleasant as the dry-season wildlife window opens up.
May 57–74°F 7h Minimal (15mm) Peak Cool, dry and clear, the start of prime wildlife and trekking season.
June 53–70°F 7h Minimal (6mm) Peak Crisp, dry highland winter with sunny days and cool starry nights.
July 51–69°F 7h Minimal (6mm) Peak Cool, bright and dry, ideal for wildlife and humpback whales offshore.
August 52–71°F 8h Minimal (5mm) Peak Sunny dry-season days, peak whale watching and excellent wildlife viewing.
September 54–75°F 8h Minimal (8mm) Peak Warming, dry and vibrant, prime time for baby lemurs and clear trails.
October 58–79°F 8h Low (39mm) Peak Warm, dry and blooming, with jacarandas purpling the capital's hills.
November 61–81°F 8h High (117mm) Shoulder Hot and greening as the first rains return; humid but wildlife-rich.
December 63–81°F 7h Very High (226mm) Off-Peak Hot, wet highland summer returns, lush and quiet with festive local color.

Data cross-referenced from climate and flight sources; conditions vary year to year.

Things to do in Madagascar, month by month

Hand-picked ideas for every month of the year — from Noura's Destination Finder.

JanuaryOff-Peak63–79°F
  • Spot indri lemurs at rainy Andasibe
  • Explore Antananarivo's Rova and Analakely market
  • Rainforest walk in accessible Ranomafana
  • Beach escape to sunnier Nosy Be
  • Chameleon night walk near Andasibe
FebruaryOff-Peak64–79°F
  • Watch lemurs in lush Andasibe-Mantadia
  • Relax on Nosy Be's northwest beaches
  • Explore Ranomafana's rainforest trails
  • Visit the Lemurs' Park near Tana
  • Sample the capital's Zoma-era markets
MarchOff-Peak63–79°F
  • Track indri lemurs at Andasibe
  • Snorkel and dive off Nosy Be
  • Rainforest hike in Ranomafana
  • Explore Lokobe Reserve's forests
  • Wander Antananarivo's hilltop old town
AprilShoulder61–78°F
  • Photograph the Avenue of the Baobabs
  • Spot lemurs at Andasibe-Mantadia
  • Hike Ranomafana's cloud forest
  • Beach and reef days on Nosy Be
  • Road-trip a scenic stretch of the RN7
MayPeak57–74°F
  • Hike Isalo National Park's canyons
  • Track ring-tailed lemurs at Anja Reserve
  • Explore Tsingy de Bemaraha's limestone maze
  • Sunset at the Avenue of the Baobabs
  • Rainforest wildlife walks in Ranomafana
JunePeak53–70°F
  • Trek Andringitra toward Pic Boby
  • Spot lemurs at Andasibe-Mantadia
  • Explore Isalo's natural pools and canyons
  • Baobab sunset near Morondava
  • Cultural stops along the RN7 highland route
JulyPeak51–69°F
  • Watch humpback whales off Ile Sainte-Marie
  • Spot indri lemurs at Andasibe
  • Hike Isalo National Park
  • Ring-tailed lemurs at Anja Reserve
  • Explore the Tsingy de Bemaraha pinnacles
AugustPeak52–71°F
  • Humpback whale watching off Ile Sainte-Marie
  • Track lemurs in Ranomafana rainforest
  • Trek Andringitra's granite peaks
  • Sunset at the Avenue of the Baobabs
  • Dive and snorkel around Nosy Be
SeptemberPeak54–75°F
  • See newborn lemurs at Andasibe
  • Explore Tsingy de Bemaraha's canyons
  • Late-season whales off Ile Sainte-Marie
  • Beach days on Nosy Be
  • Hike the sandstone gorges of Isalo
OctoberPeak58–79°F
  • See jacarandas in bloom over Antananarivo
  • Spot lemurs at Andasibe-Mantadia
  • Sunset at the Avenue of the Baobabs
  • Explore Isalo National Park
  • Snorkel the reefs of Nosy Be
NovemberShoulder61–81°F
  • Track lemurs at Ranomafana before the rains
  • Photograph the Baobabs against stormy skies
  • Chameleon spotting near Andasibe
  • Beach and diving on Nosy Be
  • Explore Antananarivo's Rova palace
DecemberOff-Peak63–81°F
  • Spot indri lemurs in green Andasibe
  • Relax on sunnier Nosy Be beaches
  • Rainforest walks in Ranomafana
  • Visit the Lemurs' Park outside Tana
  • Explore the capital's markets and Rova
Where to go in May Where to go in June Where to go in July Where to go in August

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