Madagascar Travel Guide Best Time To Visit
Philip is the author of the Insight Guide to Madagascar.
Although good from May to December, the warm and relatively dry conditions from September to November are ideal for beach holidays. At higher altitudes, the cool, dry months, from May to October, are best for hiking. However, the coldest months, June to September, are not as good to see some animals. The shoulder months (April, May, October and November) are best for serious wildlife viewing. January to March, the height of the Wet season, is best avoided.
May to October Dry Season Winter
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Beaches are lovely during September and October
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Less rain and the forest paths are drier
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Many lemurs have babies in October
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Reptiles and some mammals are less active from June to September
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It gets cold at night in some areas
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Popular parks get busy from July to August
November to April Wet Season Summer
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Orchids bloom from January to March
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September to December are the best bird-watching months
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Reptiles and some mammals are more active
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Some parks become inaccessible from January to March
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January to March is the cyclone season on the east coast
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It rains a lot in some parks and the humidity is high
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Forest paths can become very muddy and slippery
Wildlife Photos
Aye-aye eating a coconut
© Ariadne van ZandbergenFossa in forest
© mihtianderMount d'Ambre leaf chameleon
© Ariadne van ZandbergenBlack-and-white ruffed lemur
© Ariadne van ZandbergenMossy leaf-tailed gecko
© Ariadne van ZandbergenVerreaux's sifaka moving bipedally on the ground or dancing
© Ariadne van ZandbergenIndri sitting high in a tree
© Ariadne van ZandbergenWarty chameleon
© looderooGiraffe-necked weevil
© Ariadne van ZandbergenRing-tailed lemur catching the sun
© pawopa3336Hubbard's sportive lemur
© FishTalesRed ruffed lemur
© dennisvdwGrey-brown mouse lemur
© Ariadne van ZandbergenBrown lemur
© Ariadne van ZandbergenRing-tailed lemur carrying twin babies
© HajakelyVerreaux's sifaka
© Ariadne van ZandbergenFossa close-up
© Ariadne van ZandbergenShort-horned chameleon
© Ariadne van ZandbergenRing-tailed lemur in the forest
© Ariadne van ZandbergenTree boa
© Frank VassenCrowned lemur
© Peter-verreusselTufted-tail rat
© Frank VassenIndri with baby
© Ariadne van ZandbergenComet moth
© Leamus Best Time To Go by Major Park
Most parks offer year-round wildlife viewing. Parks such as Andasibe-Mantadia, Ranomafana and Masoala, located in the central highlands and on the east coast, are at their best April, May, October and November. At this time it doesn’t rain too much, and wildlife viewing is at its peak. The dry southwest, including Berenty PR, tends to be very hot from December to March, so is best visited from April to November.
- Amber Mountain NP
- Andasibe-Mantadia NP
- Ankarana Special Reserve
- Bemaraha National Park
- Ifotaka Community Forest
- Isalo National Park
- Masoala National Park
- Ranomafana National Park
- Sainte Luce Reserve