Madagascar Weather

'Madagascar climate information of the weather seasons for the informed traveler including what to pack and when to visit this African paradise'

Summer: December - March
Winter: July - August

Best Time to travel: is generally February to December.
Warning: Madagascar suffers the impact of cyclones mainly from December to March.

Madagascar weather

Temperatures over much of Madagascar are subtropical along the coastline and more temperate to semi desert inland. On saying that the west coast is drier than either the east coast or the central highlands because the trade winds lose their humidity by the time they reach this region. While the South West and the extreme south are semi desert; as little as 33 cm of rain falls annually at Toliara.

The most practical items to pack are: remembering that Madagascar is a warm destination
» Light cotton tops and cotton trousers/shorts in summer, hat/ cap and light shoes
» Long-sleeved blouses/shirts for game drives/ boat cruises, which will protect you from mosquitoes and the sun
» Safari trousers, jeans or casual pants for evenings and cooler days. A fleece or sweater is required for those cool winter evening and mornings
» Swim wear, snorkel, mask, fins (most lodges have these for hire or included in daily rate - if you have you own you are more than welcome to bring them)
» A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen (a tanning lotion and a high factor sunscreen for your face, neck, feet and hands
» Sandals, especially to protect feet against razor clams
» Comfortable walking shoes, sandals for when swimming in the sea as razor clams can cause nasty damage to your feet
» Camera film, extra memory cards and batteries, these are difficult to find in Madagascar (full stop) and should they be available they will cost you a arm and a leg. Remember it is not recommended to process film in Madagascar, rather trust your holiday photos to your photo lab back home.