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 Holidays
Small group holidays to Madagascar
Experience the best of this enigmatic island continent
From
£2780 to £2975
18 days
ex flights
Madagascar family holiday, wild country & whales
Fantastic family explore adventure in South Madagascar
From
£1995 to £2195
15 days
ex flights
Madagascar holidays, The lost continent
Experience the culture and wildlife of Madagascar
From
£3044 to £4325
17 days
inc UK flights
Madagascar holiday, Lemurs, canals & mountains
Stunning adventure inc. Mada's rivers, forests & mountains
From
£2295
14 days
ex flights
Madagascar in depth, small group tour
Madagascar's unique wildlife and off the beaten track gems
From
£2849 to £2899
21 days
ex flights
Southern Madagascar, Lemurs, baobabs & beaches
Taking in its most diverse environments at comfortable pace
From
£2350
12 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 Holiday
Small group holidays to Madagascar
Experience the best of this enigmatic island continent
From
£2780 to £2975
18 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2022: 5 Aug, 2 Sep, 16 Sep, 9 Oct, 14 Dec
2023: 16 Jun, 4 Aug, 1 Sep, 15 Sep, 6 Oct, 15 Dec
2022: 5 Aug, 2 Sep, 16 Sep, 9 Oct, 14 Dec
2023: 16 Jun, 4 Aug, 1 Sep, 15 Sep, 6 Oct, 15 Dec
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Madagascar or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
01273 823 700
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Calling from outside the UK
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
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