The short answer: the best time to visit Madagascar is the dry season, from April to November. But the island is huge, and each region has its own rhythm. If you know what you want to see, you can pick the perfect month.
Dry Season vs Rainy Season
- April to November — dry season: cooler, sunny, roads open. The best time for most trips.
- December to March — rainy season: hot and humid, with heavy rain and cyclone risk. Many western roads and the Tsingy are closed.
The West: Baobabs, Tsingy and Kirindy
Western Madagascar is the most weather-dependent region. The Avenue of the Baobabs can be visited most of the year, but the dirt roads to Tsingy de Bemaraha and Kirindy are only reliably open in the dry season. Tsingy is usually closed during the rainy months.
- Best: May to October — clear skies and spectacular baobab sunsets
- Good: April and November — fewer visitors, but check road conditions
- Avoid for Tsingy: December to March
Tour by KiriTour
Avenue of the Baobabs Day Tour
Possible most of the year from Morondava
The Rainforest: Andasibe
Rainforests are, by definition, wet all year. Andasibe can be visited in any month, but the drier months from September to November are pleasant and lemurs are active. Bring a rain jacket whenever you go.
The South: RN7, Ranomafana and Isalo
The classic RN7 road trip is best from April to November. The highlands around Antsirabe can be surprisingly cold at night in June and July, while Isalo and the south-west coast stay warm and dry.
The Islands: Nosy Be and Sainte-Marie
Nosy Be is at its best from about May to October, with calm seas for island-hopping. Sainte-Marie is famous for humpback whales, which gather in its channel from roughly June to September. Both islands are wetter from December to March.
Our Favourite Months
If we had to choose, we'd say October: the weather is dry, the baobabs glow at sunset, lemurs are active, and it's quieter than the July–August peak. May and June are also excellent, with green landscapes just after the rains.
Frequently asked questions
October is often considered ideal: dry, warm and less crowded than July–August. May and June are also very good.
Written by the KiriTour team
We're a local tour team based in Morondava. We guide travellers through the baobabs, Tsingy, Kirindy and the Tsiribihina every week, and organise trips across Madagascar.
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