FAQ: Questions About Madagascar

Are you planning a trip with us? Do you have questions, concerns, or are you looking for information? Below you will find a set of frequently asked questions and answers that we receive most often. A trip, especially one to Madagascar, requires preparation to ensure you can fully enjoy your journey.

When is the best time to travel to the island?

Madagascar has highly varied climatic conditions depending on the regions, seasons, and altitude. It is possible to travel to Madagascar at any time of the year if you are aware of the type of climate you will encounter.

Traveling during the rainy season (off-season, from January to March) is a fantastic experience because nature is extraordinary. In most parts of the country, the dry season (from April to October) alternates clearly with the rainy season (from November to March).

The coasts of the Mozambique Channel (west) are sunny and hot. Precipitation regularly falls on the eastern coast (Indian Ocean), the eastern slopes (rainforests), and the northern tip of the island. Located just south of the Tropic of Capricorn, the regions southwest of the Highlands are much drier. In the Highlands, during the dry season (winter), average temperatures range from 30/35°C on the coasts to 25°C inland. In Antananarivo, located at an altitude of 1,300 meters, and in the Highlands, nighttime temperatures can drop to 0°C in July and August.

To summarize, keep in mind the following:

• On the East Coast and Sainte Marie, monsoon rains are frequent in June and July.
• In the Highlands, it gets cool in the evenings. In July and August (southern winter), it gets cold.
• If camping, you should bring a fleece and down jacket for chilly evenings at higher altitudes.
• Cyclones form in the Indian Ocean between January and March, sometimes hitting the East Coast, the northern tip, and less frequently the southern tip and the west coast.
• Highlands:  The center of Madagascar experiences a marked alternation between the dry and rainy seasons. The heat is tempered by the altitude during the dry season. Nights can be particularly cool. Many visitors are surprised by the evening and nighttime chill in Antananarivo and surrounding areas, especially in July and August.
• East Madagascar and the Indian Ocean: This is the wettest (and therefore the greenest) region of the island. In addition to the rainy season, which causes evening showers from November to March, heavy rainfall can also occur between June and the end of August, especially on the island of Sainte-Marie. September and October are the driest months.
• Northern Madagascar: The dry and wet seasons are well-defined, but rainfall is less than on the East Coast. Trade winds can be strong around Diego Suarez from June to October. Nosy Be experiences a pronounced rainy season.
• The West and Mozambique Channel: The dry and wet seasons are distinct, but rainfall is limited, and the heat is often high. The rainy season typically lasts from November to February.
• The South and Far South : Semi-arid climate. Rainfall is minimal, and the dry season is long and sweltering. The brief rains fall for a few short weeks in December and January.