Best time to visit Madagascar
Madagascar has a surprisingly diverse climate, thanks to its immense size and wide variety of habitats![]()
The best time to visit Madagascar is generally from July to October when it’s quite dry and mild – though much depends on the reason for your trip. The Central Highlands are cold and wet between May and October, but these months are ideal for exploring Madagascar’s arid southwest, where summer temperatures (November to January) are unbearably hot. July to December is the best time to visit Madagascar for wildlife, with baby lemurs on display from October, birds breeding between September and December, and humpback whales arriving at Ile St Marie in July and August. Rainy season in Madagascar is January to March, with cyclones likely in February.
When to visit Madagascar, month by month guide
Our Madagascar Vacations
Madagascar tailor made wildlife vacation
An adventure observing unique wildlife in Madagascar
From
£3695
20 days
ex flights
Madagascar vacations, The lost continent
Experience the culture and wildlife of Madagascar
From
US $3220 to US $3360
15 days
ex flights
Highlights of Madagascar vacation
Described as 'a living museum'
From
US $4079 to US $4199
14 days
ex flights
Madagascar small group vacation
Endemic species & truly incredible scenery
From
US $4649 to US $5349
16 days
ex flights
Family wildlife luxury tour in Madagascar
Wide-eyed lemurs, magical rainforests & cultural traditions
From
£19350
11 days
ex flights
Madagascar in depth, small group tour
Madagascar's unique wildlife and off the beaten track gems
From
£3449
21 days
ex flights
Antananarivo & highlands Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
16
26
300
FEB
16
27
280
MAR
16
26
200
APR
15
25
50
MAY
12
24
10
JUN
10
22
12
JUL
10
20
5
AUG
10
21
5
SEP
11
24
10
OCT
12
26
50
NOV
15
27
155
DEC
16
26
260
PLAY
Responsible travel recommends
Laurenne Mansbridge, of our supplier Pioneer Expeditions, shares with us her best time to visit Madagascar:
"My favourite time of year is May because the rains have finished so everything is lush and green. You don’t see many other tourists as they tend to go in September and October, but everything is just beautiful – it’s pretty perfect."
Our cultural pick
Hiragasy
Theatre, dance, storytelling and music are combined in these traditional Malagasy performances. Held each July, particularly by the Merina of the highlands, the tradition began in the 1700s when the royals appointed troupes to perform for their subjects. The audience participates, showing their approval – or disapproval! – for the troupes.
Our top Madagascar Vacation
Madagascar tailor made wildlife vacation
An adventure observing unique wildlife in Madagascar
From
£3695
20 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Madagascar or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
1-866-821-6866
Call toll free
Calling from outside the USA
Festivals & events in Madagascar
Nosy Be’s Donia Festival
in May or June is one of the best opportunities to enjoy homegrown music as well as sporting events. The carnival-like celebration takes place at the Hell-Ville stadium over four days.
Since 1988, Antananarivo’s Madajazzcar Festival
This festival has united jazz musicians from the Indian Ocean and across the world for 12 days each October, inspiring fantastic musical fusions.
Did you know about...?
Festival of the Lobster
Lobster-lovers should get down to Fort Dauphin on the south coast in June for the annual Feria Oramena – the Festival of the Lobster. Eat grilled spiny lobster while listening to traditional music, and watching a local wrestling match – called ‘ringa’
More about Madagascar
Every country is unique, but Madagascar is more unique than most with flora, fauna and culture unlike anywhere else in the world...
Which reserve is best for ring tailed lemurs? Where can I trek? And can I kayak inland or around the coast? Our interactive map reveals all...
Meet lemurs, hike through Tsingy pinnacles, paddle down rivers or give something back by volunteering. There's an activity for everyone in Madagascar...
We've picked out key lemur species - from dancing sifakas to gremlin-like aye-ayes - and explored which forests, reserves and parks they inhabit...
Any trip to Madagascar will include a selection of its national parks, introducing the incredible scenery and unique wildlife that it is famous for...
The island is rightly famed for its unique flora and fauna, but the culture and traditions of Madagascar always add plenty of local colour to your trip plans.
Madagascar has wildlife like nowhere else on this planet, and if you want to really appreciate its vibrant diversity, then the best way is definitely on foot.
Wildlife in Madagascar – and the tourism it brings – plays a key part in reducing poverty on the island.
Traveling in Madagascar with kids is extremely rewarding, but best wait til they are a bit older to make the most of this life changing experience...
From potholed roads to a lack of tourism infrastructure and the language barrier, the difficulties of traveling around Madagascar are something that no operator can avoid talking about.
If you're wondering how to plan your itinerary, how to get around or what it's like for hiking - look no further for top Madagascar travel advice...
Traveling responsibly is better for the lemurs, better for the Malagasy, and - we believe - a much more memorable vacation for you...
