​Best Time To Visit – Madagascar

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Insight guide to Madagascar.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Insight Guide to Madagascar.

Philip is the author of the Insight Guide to Madagascar.

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Madagascar’s best weather in most areas is from April to December. The warm and relatively dry conditions from September to November are especially good for beach holidays, while the dry months from May to October are best for hiking. For serious wildlife viewing, the shoulder months (April, May, October and November) are often best. From June to September it can be too cold for some animals. It is best to avoid the months from January to March, the peak of the Wet season (November to April).


102 Madagascar Tours
Best Time Generally April, May, October and November (Less rain, good wildlife viewing; but varies by region)
High Season July, August and December holidays (Popular parks get crowded)
Low Season January to March (Low-season rates might apply; it is less busy)
Best Weather April, May, October and November (Mild weather, less rain)
Worst Weather January to March (Wettest months)

May to October –Dry Season –Winter

  • Beaches are lovely during September and October
  • There is less rain and forest paths are drier
  • Many lemurs have babies in October and November
  • Reptiles and some mammals are less active in most parks from June to September (June to August elsewhere)
  • It gets cold at night in some areas
  • Popular parks get extremely busy during July and August

Wildlife Photos

View Photos (24)
+22 Photos Want To Visit

November to April –Wet Season –Summer

  • Orchids bloom from October to December or January
  • Usually the best bird-watching months when birds are most vocal
  • Reptiles and some mammals are generally more active
  • Some parks become inaccessible from January to March
  • January or February to March is the cyclone season on the east coast
  • Expect heavy rain in some parks and high humidity
  • Forest paths can become muddy and slippery

Wildlife Photos

Aye-aye eating a coconut
Fossa in forest
+22 Photos

Best Time To Go by Major Park

Most parks offer year-round wildlife viewing, but there are regional variations. As a general rule, parks in the central highlands and in the east are at their best during the shoulder months of April, May, October and November (although August and September can also be good in some areas). At this time, it doesn’t rain too much and wildlife viewing is at its peak. The dry south, including Berenty Private Reserve, tends to be very hot from December to March, so is best visited from April to October.

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