When to go
The best time to visit the whole Madagascar, to go on
excursions in search of the numerous flora and fauna attractions, corresponds to the months of
September and October: in this way, you can avoid the heat but also the rains and the possible cyclones of the austral summer.
The period from
June to August can be good as well, although it's very rainy on the east coast, and can be cold in inland and southern areas (however, as we said, sometimes it can get a little cold also in September, and more rarely, in October).
For a
beach holiday, the west coast is preferable to the east coast because it's sunnier and less rainy. Anyway, you can go from mid-May to October on the west coast, and in September and October on the east coast.
As regards to the
west coast, you can distinguish between the northern part, the one facing north-west (see Mahajanga, Nosy-Be, Antsiranana), which is warm throughout the year, and the central-southern part, which, in winter, can sometimes be reached by cool air masses from the south and can experience cold nights (see Toliara); therefore, in the latter it's preferable to go in September and October, while if you intend to go in July or August, in order to avoid surprises, you can choose the northernmost area. In Nosy-Be, you can go from mid-May to October, although in October a little atmospheric instability begins to occur, with the first afternoon thunderstorms.
If you prefer to go in
summer, for example at Christmas, it being understood that the weather is hot and there is the risk of cyclones, you can choose the least rainy area, that is, the south-west (see Toliara); in the southern part of the east coast (see Fort Dauphin), all in all, it does not rain very much, even though it depends on the year.
What to pack
In
winter (June to August): on the south-central and the eastern coast, bring spring/autumn clothes (light for the day), a sweater and a light jacket for the evening; on the east coast, you can add a raincoat or umbrella. On the north coast (Mahajanga, Nosy Be), bring light clothing, a sweatshirt for the evening, and a scarf for the breeze. In Antananarivo and the plateau, spring/autumn clothes, a jacket, a sweater and a hat for the evening, and a scarf for the wind.
When going to the reef, you can bring snorkeling equipment, including water shoes or rubber-soled shoes.
In
summer (December to February): throughout the coasts and inland areas at low altitudes, bring light clothing made of natural fibers, a sun hat, a light sweatshirt for the evening, and a light raincoat or umbrella. In Antananarivo and the plateau, light clothes for the day, a sweatshirt and a light jacket for the evening, and a raincoat or umbrella.
Back to the climate of
Madagascar