Madagascar Weather in Dcember

 Season: Rainy Season 

In Short: warm, wet, hottest month, frequent rainfall

Analamazaotra Reserve in December

In general, the weather in Madagascar in December is warm and wet. December is the hottest month of the year in Madagascar, with average monthly temperature ranging from 21-29°C (69.8°F-84.2°F). The total precipitation is 241 mm and it rains for 17 days on average, indicating that the rainfall is frequent and the humidity is high in this month. Regionally, the east and the northwest get about two out of three days of rain, while the west is slightly drier and the south gets the least rain in the rainy season. 

 The warmest cities in Madagascar in December 

Toliara: 24.8-31.2°C (76.64°F-88.16°F); Mahajanga: 25.8-31.3°C (78.44°F-88.34°F); Morondava: 5.4-32.3°C (77.72°F-90.14°F)

 The coldest cities in Madagascar in December 

Antananarivo: 16.6-26.4°C (61.88°F-79.52°F); Fianarantsoa: 16.8-25.4°C (62.24°F-77.72°F); Toamasina: 21.9-29.4°C (71.42°F-84.92°F)

What to Wear in Madagascar in December

Boys

Tops: T-shirt, Polo shirt or waistcoat made of pure cotton is the best choice for boys. But traveling to natural reserves, a light long-sleeved shirt can well protect you from mosquito bites.

Bottoms and shoes: Boys can either pick shorts or thin slacks as your bottoms. As for shoes, flip flops or lightweight sports shoes are respectively recommended in different destinations.

Girls

Tops: Cotton and linen shirts are more suitable in such weather in December, as this kind of fabric is breathable and can absorb sweat. 
Bottoms and shoes: Girls can wear hot pants or mini skirt with sandals or Crocs for the beach time, and thin jeans with loafers or sneakers to explore the national parks. 

Essential items: In order to cope with frequent rain, be sure to pack rain gear, whether it’s a raincoat or rain boots, or an umbrella. Sun protection articles like sunscreen, sunglasses or sunhat is also needed this month in Madagascar for the sunny or cloudy days. What’s more, the warm and humid environment in the tropical rainforest zones nurtures plenty of mosquitoes and insects, so you must prepare enough repellents to prevent bites.

Where to Go and What to Expect in Madagascar in December, 2024

Tourism Rate:

It is not a good time to visit Madagascar in December, mainly because the transportation here is not very developed, and the rainy and changeable weather can make the dirt roads muddy and slippery, resulting in some remote scenic spots being closed to the public. If you still insist on traveling here, you can choose attractions listed below.

The Queen's Palace, Antananarivo

1. Antananarivo

The capital Antananarivo with good road conditions is less influenced by the rainy weather and have some meaningful historical sites worth visiting. You can head to Le Palais de la Reine to overlook the whole city; go to the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga to visit royal palaces, cemeteries and sacrificial buildings; explore some churches like Sainte-Marie Cathedral to feel the religious atmosphere of Madagascar, or read some historical materials in Madagascar History Museum to learn about Madagascar’s development.

2. Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

The lush and vibrant rainforest in December is favored by wild lives. Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is an ideal place for wildlife lovers to discover unique animal species this month. There are 11 species of lemurs living in this reserve, and the most famous being the largest lemur in the world, Indri. Except for lemurs, there are also some rare and endemic birds, amphbians and reptiles for you to observe up close. Hiking here at this time can also see several precious wild orchids. 

3. Amber Mountain National Park

Amber Mountain National Park, located in Antisiranana, is one of the most visited and well-preserved natural reserves in Madagascar. The endemic flora and fauna, lush tropical vegetation, pristine waterfalls and volcanic lakes contribute to the park’s rich biodiversity. You can climb the Amber Mountain for a magnificent view of the forest. In addition, it can be regarded as a paradise in December for those interested in observing lemurs and other specific bird species. That is because the park is home to 8 kinds of lemurs. And there are also 75 species of birds, 35 of which are unique to this area.

4. Nosy Be

The warm weather in December is also suitable for a beach holiday in Nosy Be. However, it is necessary to be aware of sudden rains. Nosy Be is the largest island in Madagascar, where you can see picturesque landscapes like endless clear sea, silver beach and stretched coconut trees. You can pick dry days to enjoy exciting water sports in the warm ocean water or just lie on the beach to enjoy some leisurely time.

Have Fun on the Beach of Nosy Be

5. Krsmasy

Krsmasy is the name what Madagascar people calls for Christmas Day. It is celebrated with a combination of traditional local practices and Western customs in Madagascar, so you can get a different Christmas experience here in December. 

During this festival you can see locals decorating their houses with intricate palm leaves and colorful flowers, which differs from Western decorations such as Christmas trees and colored lights. Another distinctive part is to give a theatrical performance of Hatrany, which shows a journey of Mary and Joseph seeking shelter in Bethlehem. Furthermore, fresh lychees are the special Christmas food in Madagascar and lychee skins are all over the streets during this time. And the rest you can enjoy is basically the same as the Western traditions.

Natives with a Basket on the Head

December Weather of Major Madagascar Cities

City	Temp	Rainfall (mm)	Humi- dity (%)	Sunrise/ Sunset
Antananarivo	16.6-26.4°C (61.88°F-79.52°F)	309.9	76.5	05:06:41/ 18:17:18
Toliara	24.8-31.2°C (76.64°F-88.16°F)	25	67	05:07:56/ 18:35:28
Fianaranstoa	16.8-25.4°C (62.24°F-77.72°F)	201	82	04:59:47/ 18:24:12
Toamasina	21.9-29.4°C (71.42°F-84.92°F)	357.3	84	04:59:31/ 18:06:43
Mahajanga	25.8-31.3°C (78.44°F-88.34°F)	117	71	05:11:53/ 18:14:34
Morondava	25.4-32.3°C (77.72°F-90.14°F)	20	66	05:06:24/ 18:17:14
Antisiranana	22.9-31.4°C (73.22°F-88.52°F)	170.8	73	05:04:41/ 17:57:40

Madagascar Weather by Month