Overall, the dry season from May to October is the best time to visit Madagascar. Firstly, these months have relatively low rainfall and clear sky, and the roads to the reserves and national parks are in better conditions. Secondly, the temperature during these months is pleasant, and you will feel neither hot nor cold. 

Among these months, May - June and September - October are the best, because Madagascar receives many more tourists in July and August, which may affect your travel experience. 

In specific, due to variation of the dry season among different parts of Madagascar, the best visiting time varies from one place to another, but not obvious: it is April - October for Antananarivo and Andasibe; May – October for Nosy Be; and April – November for Morondava and Ifaty.

City View of Antananarivo

Peak Season: July & August

These two months are the time of summer holiday in countries in the northern hemisphere, and a large number of tourists flock to Madagascar to avoid the summer heat. The increase of tourists leads to higher hotel and flight ticket prices. Therefore, if you plan to travel to Madagascar during this period, it is advisable to make reservations in advance, to ensure a smooth trip.

Shoulder Season: April - June; September - October; November - December

April – June and September – October belong to the dry season of Madagascar. The nice and cozy climate during this period attracts visitors. 

November and December belong to the rainy season, with not-so-good weather compared with the dry season. However, some visitors still travel to Madagascar in these months, because the rainfall is much lower in November than that of other months of the rainy season and December coincides with the Christmas and New Year holidays. 

It’s cost-effective to travel in shoulder season than in peak season.

Slack Season: January – March

During this period, the number of tourists in Madagascar is small, and you can enjoy a quiet journey. Hotel prices and airfares are also cheaper than usual, which can help you save money on travel.

 

However, you are advised to avoid traveling to Madagascar especially the central highlands and the northern coast during these three months: it’s the rainy season with frequent rainfall, and January and February are the rainiest months. In addition, these months are also the hurricane season, with possible severe weather such as violent storms and rain, especially in February. Some national parks are closed during this period due to the rainy weather.

May to October is the best time to visit Madagascar’s national parks and reserves. On the one hand, most national parks and reserves open only from May to October, due to the low rainfall and good road conditions. On the other hand, the climate during this period is cool or warm but not hot, perfect for hiking.

Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park

The best time to visit beaches and enjoy snorkeling in Madagascar is from June to October. In these months, there are many sunny days with long sunshine hours but not very strong UV rays. Moreover, the sea temperature is quite cozy. All of these create good conditions for you to enjoy sunbathing on the beach and go swimming or do water sports in the sea. Besides, the underwater visibility is high in these months, providing perfect conditions for appreciating underwater world. 

Beautiful Beach of Nosy Be, Madagascar

Blue and Clear Sea of Nosy Be

If you want to visit lovely lemurs in Madagascar, you should go in April – June or October - November. From April to June, the rainy season has just passed, the weather is clear, the temperature is relatively pleasant, and the lemurs are active. October - November is the breeding season for most lemurs including ring-tailed lemurs and brown lemurs, so you can see cute baby lemurs during this period.

Cute and Active Lemur

July to September is the best time to see whales in Madagascar. Mother whales arrive at Sainte Marie Island in early July, while dads arrive about 15 days later. They court, mate, and give birth there. Then, leave in batches at the end of September. During this period, as long as the weather is good, you have a good chance of seeing whales. are brilliant likewise.

Whale Watching