Madagascar has a tropical climate split into two distinct seasons: a hot, rainy season from November to April and a cool, dry season from May to October. But because the island stretches over 1,000 miles from north to south and features mountains, rainforests, and semi-arid plains, conditions vary dramatically depending on where you are. The east coast can receive nearly 3,800 mm (150 inches) of rain in a year, while the southwestern corner borders on desert.
Two Seasons, Not Four
Sitting near the equator, Madagascar doesn’t experience the spring-summer-fall-winter cycle familiar to temperate countries. Instead, the year divides into a warm, wet half and a cool, dry half. From November through April, heavy rainfall and higher temperatures fuel a lush growing season that supports the island’s extraordinary wildlife. From May through October, rain drops off sharply and temperatures cool, creating drier and more comfortable conditions across most of the island.
How Climate Differs by Region
East Coast
The eastern strip, home to Madagascar’s dense tropical rainforest, is the wettest part of the island. Trade winds blow moisture in off the Indian Ocean, and the escarpment running along the coast forces that air upward, wringing out rain year-round. Maroantsetra, on the Bay of Antongil in the northeast, receives close to 3,800 mm of rainfall annually. Even during the “dry” season, the east coast still gets regular showers, so the rainforest never truly dries out. Humidity stays high throughout the year, and temperatures hover in the mid-20s to low 30s Celsius (upper 70s to upper 80s Fahrenheit).
Central Highlands
The interior plateau, where the capital Antananarivo sits at roughly 1,200 meters elevation, is noticeably cooler than the coasts. Daytime temperatures during the dry season often range from 15 to 25°C (about 59 to 77°F), and nighttime lows can dip below 10°C in July and August. The highlands still receive significant rain from November to March, but totals are far lower than on the east coast. Frost is even possible in the highest valleys during the coldest months.
West Coast
The western side of Madagascar lies in the rain shadow of the central mountains, making it significantly drier than the east. This region supports deciduous dry forests that lose their leaves during the long dry season. Temperatures climb higher here than in the highlands, regularly topping 30°C during the wet months. The dry season brings pleasant warmth and very little rain, making western parks and landmarks far more accessible between May and October.
Southern Semi-Arid Zone
The deep south is Madagascar’s driest region, receiving as little as 300 to 500 mm of rain per year. The landscape shifts to spiny forest filled with drought-adapted plants found nowhere else on Earth. This area is increasingly vulnerable to prolonged dry spells. Since 2020, the Grand Sud region has faced a protracted humanitarian crisis driven by recurrent drought, sometimes triggering severe food shortages known locally as “kéré.” A prolonged drought from October to December 2024, intensified by El Niño, further strained communities that had barely recovered from previous years.
Cyclone Season
Madagascar sits in the southwestern Indian Ocean’s cyclone belt. The Southern Hemisphere’s tropical cyclone season runs from July through June, but storms most commonly strike Madagascar between January and March, overlapping with the peak of the rainy season. Cyclones bring extreme winds, flooding, and storm surges, particularly along the east and northeast coasts. In March 2025, Tropical Cyclone Honde and Storm Jude caused severe flooding in the south and southeast, destroying crops and compounding existing food insecurity. The combination of cyclones and drought in rapid succession is a defining challenge of Madagascar’s climate, leaving affected communities with little time to recover between disasters.
Best Time to Visit
The dry season from April to October is widely considered the best window for travel. Roads are passable, temperatures are comfortable, and outdoor activities like trekking, diving, and wildlife viewing are at their peak. July and August are the busiest tourist months, with the coolest temperatures making long hikes enjoyable. Lemur activity picks up as early as April when the drier weather begins, and October or November is prime time to spot baby lemurs born during the breeding season.
Whale watching off Île Sainte-Marie starts in July, when humpback whales migrate through the surrounding waters. Birding is best from September through December, when migratory species arrive and resident birds are most active. The dramatic limestone formations of the Great Tsingy are only accessible between June and November, when the dirt roads leading to the park are dry enough to navigate.
January through March is the trickiest period for visitors. Heavy rain frequently closes roads to national parks and lodges, turning normally passable routes into impassable mud. Cyclone risk is also highest during these months, which can disrupt flights and ground transport across the island.