When is the best time to travel to Madagascar?

It is possible to travel to Madagascar in all seasons, depending on the type of climate you will encounter. Madagascar has very varied climatic conditions depending on the region, the season, and the altitude. In most parts of the country, in general, the dry season (from April to October) alternates with the rainy season (from November to March).

• Traveling during the rainy season, the off-season, is a fantastic experience because nature is extraordinary, and life in the countryside is in full swing. It may rain, often at the end of the day, and the temperatures are warm.
• The coasts of the Mozambique Channel (west) are sunny and hot.
• Precipitation regularly falls on the east coast (Indian Ocean), the eastern slopes (rainforests), and the northern tip of the island.
• Situated below the Tropic of Capricorn, the regions in the southwest of Madagascar are very arid.
• On the Central Highlands, during the dry season, the average daytime temperatures are around 20°C. In Antananarivo, located at 1,300 meters above sea level, and in the Highlands, the nighttime temperatures can drop to 0°C during July-August.

In summary, remember :

• On the East Coast and Sainte Marie Island, monsoon rains are frequent in June and July.
• On the Highlands, it gets cool in the evening. In July-August (the southern winter), it gets cold.
• If camping, you should bring a fleece and down jacket for chilly evenings at altitude.
• Cyclones form in the Indian Ocean between January and March and sometimes hit the east coast, the northern tip, and more rarely, the southern tip and the west coast.
• Highlands. The central part of Madagascar has a marked alternation between the dry season and the rainy season. The heat is tempered by the altitude during the dry season. Nights can be particularly chilly. Many visitors are surprised by the coldness in the evenings and nights in Antananarivo and the surrounding areas during July and August.
• East of Madagascar and the Indian Ocean. This is the wettest (and thus the greenest) region of the island. In addition to the rainy season, which brings evening showers from November to March, there can also be heavy rains from June to the end of August, particularly on Sainte-Marie Island. September and October are the least rainy months.
• Northern Madagascar. The dry and wet seasons are well-differentiated, but the rainfall is less than on the east coast. The trade winds can be strong around Diégo-Suarez from June to October. Nosy Be has a distinct rainy season.
• West and Mozambique Channel. The dry and wet seasons are clearly defined, but the rainfall is very limited, and the heat is often intense. The rainy season lasts roughly from November to February.
• South and extreme south. Semi-arid climate. Precipitation is minimal, and the dry season is long and scorching. The brief rains fall during short weeks in December and January.