Home › Madagascar › Best time to visit
Best time to visit Madagascar: month by month
Short answer
April to November is the dry season and the best time to travel, with highs of about 20–27°C in the highlands and very little rain from May to September. September to November is good for baby lemurs and the jacarandas. December to March brings heavy rain (18–24 rainy days a month), flooded roads and cyclone risk.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26°C | 17°C | 24 | low |
| Feb | 26°C | 16°C | 18 | low |
| Mar | 25°C | 16°C | 24 | low |
| Apr | 24°C | 15°C | 13 | medium |
| May | 23°C | 13°C | 5 | medium |
| Jun | 20°C | 10°C | 3 | medium |
| Jul | 20°C | 10°C | 1 | high |
| Aug | 22°C | 10°C | 2 | very high |
| Sep | 23°C | 11°C | 0 | high |
| Oct | 27°C | 13°C | 6 | high |
| Nov | 27°C | 15°C | 12 | high |
| Dec | 27°C | 16°C | 19 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
March is still wet (about 24 rainy days); April (24°C, 13 rainy days) is the start of the dry season, and May is dry, with about 5 rainy days and highs of 23°C.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
The cool dry season: highs of 20–22°C in the highlands and lows of about 10°C, with almost no rain. Nights can be near freezing in Antsirabe. Humpback whales may pass off the coasts from about June.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Dry and warming: about 23°C in September and 27°C in October and November, with rain increasing in November (about 12 days). Baby lemurs and jacarandas in bloom.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
The hot rainy season: highs of 26–27°C and rain on 18–24 days a month, with flooded roads, rescheduled flights and cyclone risk.
Events worth planning around
- Independence Day (26 June), a national holiday with celebrations across the country
- Humpback whale season off the coasts (roughly June to September)
- Jacarandas in flower around Lake Anosy in Antananarivo (October–November)
When to avoid
January to March is the riskiest period, with heavy rain, damaged roads and cyclones. In July and August, book drivers and park lodges well ahead, as this is the busiest season.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
What is the best month to visit Madagascar?
September to November for dry weather, baby lemurs and jacarandas, or May to June for a quieter dry season.
When is cyclone season in Madagascar?
Roughly December to March, the rainy season. Roads can flood and flights are often rescheduled.
Is it cold in Madagascar?
The highlands are cool in June to August, with highs of about 20°C and lows of about 10°C, and nights near freezing in Antsirabe. Bring warm layers.