Madagascar in August

Busiest month; chilly highland nights, whales, lodges full on the RN7.

No other month rates higher than August for Madagascar in this guide.

• Central highlands · Antananarivo, Antsirabe, Ranomafana, Fianarantsoacool

  Cool, even chilly nights June–August (5–10 °C (41–50 °F)); the rains fall November–March as afternoon storms.Cool, even chilly nights June–August (41–50 °F (5–10 °C)); the rains fall November–March as afternoon storms.

• East coast and rainforest · Andasibe, Toamasina, Île Sainte-Marie, Masoalafine

  Rain in every month; cyclones land here January–March. Sainte-Marie's whale season is July–September.

• West and south-west dry belt · Morondava, Tsingy de Bemaraha, Isalo, Tuléar, Ifatybest weather

  The driest part of the island; the Tsingy de Bemaraha is closed roughly December–April because tracks flood.

• North and Nosy Be · Nosy Be, Diego Suarez, Ankarana, Amber Mountainbest weather

  Warm year round; the north-east trade wind blows hard at Diego June–September.

• Antananarivo Province: Antananarivo and the highlands · Central plateau, roughly 1,200–1,500 mcool

  Cool and damp for a tropical country: 10–25 °C (50–77 °F) most of the year, colder at night June–August. Rain concentrates December–March, often as afternoon storms.Cool and damp for a tropical country: 50–77 °F (10–25 °C) most of the year, colder at night June–August. Rain concentrates December–March, often as afternoon storms.

• Antsiranana Province: Antsiranana and the north-west coast · Diana region, bays and Ramenabest weather

  Dry season roughly May to November; the wet months are hot and humid with cyclone risk.

• Antsiranana Province: Sava (north-east) · Sambava, Marojejy and Masoala sidefine

  One of the wettest parts of the island; rain is possible most of the year.

• Fianarantsoa Province: Highlands (Fianarantsoa, Ambalavao, Ambositra) · RN7 corridor at 1,000–1,500 mcool

  Cooler than the coast; rain roughly December–March. Nights can drop below 10 °C (50 °F) in June–August.Cooler than the coast; rain roughly December–March. Nights can drop below 50 °F (10 °C) in June–August.

• Fianarantsoa Province: Ranomafana and the eastern escarpment · East of Fianarantsoafine

  Rainforest: rain in most months, heaviest December–March; leeches after rain.

• Mahajanga Province: Mahajanga coast · City and baybest weather

  Hot all year; the dry season roughly May–November is the comfortable window. December–March is humid with heavy rain.

• Mahajanga Province: Tsingy de Bemaraha and the interior · Bekopaka and the westbest weather

  Park access is effectively dry-season only; check opening and road conditions before you commit.

• Toamasina Province: East coast (Toamasina, Foulpointe, Vatomandry) · Sea level to about 200 mfine

  Hot and humid; rain in most months. Cyclone risk roughly December to March.

• Toamasina Province: Escarpment and Andasibe · About 900–1,200 m on the RN2fine

  Cooler and misty; rain can close trails. Indri are loudest and most active early morning.

• Toliara Province: Toliara and the south-west coast · Toliara, Ifaty, Anakaocheck

  Semi-arid; rain is scarce all year. Local month-by-month timing is check — the practical window is the dry season, roughly April–November.

• Toliara Province: Taolagnaro and the south-east · Taolagnaro, Berentycheck

  Wetter than the west coast; local month-by-month timing is check — the driest stretch is roughly May–October.

• Antananarivo21 °C (70 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 2 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 2 rain days
• Ambalavao21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 6 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 6 rain days
• Ambanja26 °C (79 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 5 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 5 rain days
• Ambositra21 °C (70 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 6 rain days
• Anakao26 °C (79 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 2 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 2 rain days
• Antsiranana29 °C (84 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 4 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 4 rain days
• Fianarantsoa22 °C (72 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 6 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 6 rain days
• Foulpointe24 °C (75 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 10 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 10 rain days
• Hell-Ville30 °C (86 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 4 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 79 °F (26 °C), 4 rain days
• Ifaty28 °C (82 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 1 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 1 rain days
• Ihosy25 °C (77 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 3 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 3 rain days
• Île aux Nattes25 °C (77 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 7 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 7 rain days
• Mahajanga27 °C (81 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 1 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 1 rain days
• Morondava28 °C (82 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 1 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 1 rain days
• Taolagnaro24 °C (75 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 8 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 8 rain days
• Toamasina24 °C (75 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 11 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 11 rain days
• Toliara27 °C (81 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 1 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 1 rain days
• Vatomandry25 °C (77 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 12 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 12 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Famadihana (turning of the bones)

  Jun–Sep (varies by family)

  Highland reburial ceremonies; you may be invited — go only with a guide's introduction.

• Assumption

  15 Aug

  Public holiday.

• Famadihana season check

  Dry-season months, family-chosen dates · Antananarivo

  Reburial ceremonies with music and dancing; you may see a procession outside the city — ask before joining or photographing.

• Assumption Day

  15 August · Antananarivo

  Public holiday; Catholic churches hold services.

Crowds · Madagascar

High

Prices · Madagascar

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Madagascar, side by side.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

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Rated best or good this month

• West and south-west dry belt

  Best weather of the year (Morondava, Tsingy de Bemaraha, Isalo, Tuléar, Ifaty)

• North and Nosy Be

  Best weather of the year (Nosy Be, Diego Suarez, Ankarana, Amber Mountain)

• Antananarivo

  Cool and dry.

• Ambalavao

  Best months: Apr–Nov (dry season)

• Ambanja

  Best months: Apr–Nov

• Ambositra

  Best months: Apr–Nov

• Anakao

  Best months: Apr–Nov (dry season, calmer seas)

• Antsirabe

  Best months: Apr–Nov (dry season)

• Antsiranana

  Best months: Apr–Nov

• Fianarantsoa

  Best months: Apr–Nov (dry season)

• Foulpointe

  Best months: Apr–Nov (dry season)

• Hell-Ville

  Best months: Apr–Nov (dry season)