November and December are the turning point of Madagascar's year: the long dry season ends, the first rains arrive and the countryside turns green. It is still a good time to travel if you choose the right regions and plan around the weather. Here is what to expect, from our team in Morondava.
The Weather in Short
- November: hot days, the first rains — often short afternoon storms. Most regions are still easy to visit.
- December: hotter and wetter, especially on the east coast and in the highlands. Tropical storms become possible.
- The main cyclone season is usually January to March.
- The west around Morondava stays drier than the east, with sunny mornings and occasional storms.
What Is Still Open?
The Avenue of the Baobabs, close to Morondava, can be visited all year. In the rainy season the baobabs grow their leaves, the rice fields fill with water and the sunsets often come with dramatic clouds. Kirindy Forest remains a great place for wildlife, but the track can become muddy after heavy rain.
Wildlife at the End of the Year
October and November are the mating season of the fossa in the western dry forests, which makes Kirindy one of the best places to look for Madagascar's largest predator at this time of year. Many lemurs have young, the forests are full of birdsong and, as the rains start, frogs and chameleons become more active on night walks.
Tour by KiriTour
Kirindy Forest 2-Day Safari
Night walk, dawn walk and the fossa season
Best Trips in November and December
- The Avenue of the Baobabs and Morondava's coast: Betania, Kimony beach and the mangroves.
- Kirindy Forest for one or two days, for the fossa, lemurs and night walks.
- Early November only: Tsingy de Bemaraha, if the tracks are still open.
- Nosy Be and the north-west islands, which often have good beach weather at this time of year.
Tour by KiriTour
Baobabs, Betania & Kimony Day Tour
Possible all year from Morondava
Tour by KiriTour
Kirindy Forest Day Tour
Short on time? Kirindy and the baobabs in one day
Christmas and New Year in Madagascar
The end of the year is a holiday period for Malagasy families too. Domestic flights and the best hotels fill up quickly around Christmas and New Year, so book as early as you can. Keep a flexible day in your plan in case a storm delays a road or a flight.
What to Pack
- A light rain jacket and quick-dry clothes.
- Strong sun protection: the sun is intense even when it is cloudy.
- Mosquito repellent — mosquitoes are more active in the rainy season.
- Sandals or shoes that can get wet and muddy.
Travelling in November or December? Tell us your dates and we will suggest what is possible and best at that moment — and adapt the plan to the weather.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The rains are just starting, it is hot and green, and most regions are still easy to visit. Early November is the last chance of the year for the Tsingy de Bemaraha.
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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