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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

GreatVoykit month rating for Madagascar

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

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

  • 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 days
  • Ambalavao20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 5 rain days
  • Ambanja26 °C (79 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 4 rain days
  • Ambositra20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days
  • Anakao25 °C (77 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 2 rain days
  • Antsiranana29 °C (84 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 4 rain days
  • Fianarantsoa22 °C (72 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 6 rain days
  • Foulpointe24 °C (75 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 11 rain days
  • Hell-Ville30 °C (86 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 3 rain days
  • Ifaty27 °C (81 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 1 rain days
  • Ihosy24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 3 rain days
  • Île aux Nattes25 °C (77 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 8 rain days
  • Mahajanga26 °C (79 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 1 rain days
  • Morondava27 °C (81 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 1 rain days
  • Taolagnaro23 °C (73 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 8 rain days
  • Toamasina24 °C (75 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 12 rain days
  • Toliara26 °C (79 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 2 rain days
  • Vatomandry25 °C (77 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 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

Build the full packing list for your trip →

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)

  • Antananarivo

    Cool, dry, cold nights.

  • 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)