Antananarivo Weather

Located on a plateau in central Madagascar, Antananarivo has tropical plateau climate with no cold days. However, because of the higher altitude, the temperature in Antananarivo is usually lower than other regions of Madagascar. The annual average temperature is 10 - 29°C (50 - 69.8°F). It has two seasons: rainy season from November to March and dry season from April to October. In rainy season, the precipitation reaches 1,333.1 mm, accounting for about 87% of the total precipitation of the year. It is also summer in Antananarivo, so you’ll feel humid and sometimes hot. While dry season is usually cool and dry with a little rainfall. 

Coolest Month: July: 9.5-20.4°C (49.1-68.72°F)
Hottest Month: December: 16.6-26.4°C (61.88-79.52°F)
Rainiest Month: January: 316 mm / 18 rainy days
Driest Month: August: 10.4 mm / 9 rainy days

  See also: Madagascar Weather

Street View in Antananarivo

Best Time to Visit Antananarivo:

The best time to visit Antananarivo is in the dry season from April to October. At this time, the weather is cooler and the rainfall is much lower, which means you don’t have to suffer from high temperature and annoying long-time raining. The dry road condition also contributes to a wonderful trip. Additionally, you can avoid hurricanes and floods in the rainy season. What’s more, at the beginning of dry season, between April and May, the flourish plants are still vibrant. You can enjoy the beautiful natural sceneries without bearing constant raining. Thus, it’s recommended that you visit Antananarivo during the dry season in 2025.

Monthly Weather of Madagascar - Temperature & Rainfall

Antananarivo Climate & Travel Advice

Rainy Season (November to March):

Rainfall in total: 1,333.1 mm

Clothes to wear: In the daytime, T-shirts, short-sleeved shirts, and dresses are good options. For bottoms, a pair of thin jeans or sweatpants are just fine. When the night falls, you need to put on an extra coat to keep warm. For shoes, it’s better to wear comfortable sneakers or flats.

The weather is relatively hot and humid compared with the dry season. Usually it rains for more than a fortnight in a row, which may lead to floods and mud slides. What’s worse, during the time from December to March, there’s a chance of tropical cyclones landing on Antananarivo or all over Madagascar. Generally, rainy season is not a perfect time to visit Antananarivo. However, you can still see a silver lining in the rainy season. At this time, the vegetation is lush and animals are active and you can avoid the tourist crowds.

Chameleons in Peyrieras Reserve

Travel Advice: 

1. It’s vital for visitors to prepare enough for mosquito repelling. The high frequency of rainfall and the suitable temperature really make Antananarivo a mosquito paradise in the rainy season. Mosquitoes may cause malaria, so wear long-sleeved clothes, spray enough mosquito repellent and prepare necessary medicine. Besides, do not go to remote mountains or countryside since there’s higher chance of infecting malaria.

2. Apply enough sunscreen cream or wear hats and sunglasses on sunny days. The ultraviolet rays in Antananarivo is high even in rainy season, due to its high altitude.

3. Remember to bring your umbrellas and raincoats since there will be lots of rain during this period. 

Best Things to Do:

1. Learn more about the country’s history in the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga and Rova-Queen’s Palace;

2. Experience local life in Analakely Market;

3.  Have a good time with the animals in Tsimbazaza Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

The Rova-Queen's Palace

Dry Season (April to October):

Rainfall in total: 202.3 mm

Clothes to wear: Summer clothes like cotton T-shirts, linen shorts or skirts are all great. You can also choose light long pants. It’s necessary to put on a trench coat or windbreaker after the sunset. Besides, sneakers and comfortable flats are perfect choices.

On the contrast to rainy season, the dry season is much cooler and drier. Antananarivo’s high altitude brings more cool air to the city. The rainfall also drops to a very low level. In addition, usually the mean rainy days of the dry season per month are only 2 days or even fewer.

The Dusty Road in Antananarivo

Travel Tips:

1. The drier the air is, the more dust there will be. Therefore, it’s quite necessary for visitors to put on masks when going to nature reserves or parks, especially when they are on a dirt road, which covers a large area of Antananarivo. 

2. Bring enough sunscreen products, mosquito repellent and motion sickness tablets. If you have dry skin, don’t forget to bring some facial masks. 

3. Make sure you do not touch or come too close to unknown plants or dangerous animals, which may carry disease or poison.

Best Things to Do:

1. Enjoy the tropical rainforest sceneries in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park;

2. Get close to lemurs in Lemurs’ Park;

3. Feed the crocodiles in the Croc Farm.

Lemurs in Andasibe National Park