When to go · Madagascar
Madagascar in July
Great month. European holiday peak; humpback whales off Sainte-Marie from July. Book drivers early.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Crowds
- High
- Madagascar
- Prices
- High
- Madagascar
Verdict
European holiday peak; humpback whales off Sainte-Marie from July. Book drivers early.
Is another month better than July?
No other month rates higher than July for Madagascar in this guide.
Weather in July
- 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.
- Antananarivo20 °C (68 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 2 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 2 rain days
- Ambalavao20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 5 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 5 rain days
- Ambanja26 °C (79 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 4 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 4 rain days
- Ambositra20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 6 rain days
- Anakao25 °C (77 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 2 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 59 °F (15 °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), 11 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 11 rain days
- Hell-Ville30 °C (86 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 3 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 79 °F (26 °C), 3 rain days
- Ifaty27 °C (81 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 1 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 1 rain days
- Ihosy24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 3 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 3 rain days
- Île aux Nattes25 °C (77 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 8 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 8 rain days
- Mahajanga26 °C (79 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 1 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 1 rain days
- Morondava27 °C (81 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 1 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 1 rain days
- Taolagnaro23 °C (73 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 8 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 8 rain days
- Toamasina24 °C (75 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 12 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 12 rain days
- Toliara26 °C (79 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 2 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 2 rain days
- Vatomandry25 °C (77 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 13 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 13 rain days
Festivals and holidays
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.
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.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Madagascar
- High
- Prices · Madagascar
- High
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Madagascar, side by side.
Verdict
Jul: Great
May: Great
Crowds
Jul: High
May: Medium
Prices
Jul: High
May: Medium
Festivals listed
Jul: 2
May: 2
July: European holiday peak; humpback whales off Sainte-Marie from July. Book drivers early.
May: Dry season begins; good light, fewer visitors, Tsingy usually reopening (check).
Madagascar: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket
Where to go in July
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)
Cool, dry, cold nights.
Best months: Apr–Nov (dry season)
Best months: Apr–Nov
Best months: Apr–Nov
Best months: Apr–Nov (dry season, calmer seas)
Best months: Apr–Nov (dry season)
Best months: Apr–Nov
Best months: Apr–Nov (dry season)
Best months: Apr–Nov (dry season)
Best months: Apr–Nov (dry season)