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Madagascar travel guide

A large Eastern African country for slow, independent trips, best between July and September

Best: May, Jul, Aug, Sep

Photo: JeanFiFou / Pixabay

Capital
Antananarivo
Languages
French, Malagasy
Currency
Malagasy ariary
Time zone
UTC+03:00
Plugs
Type C, E, J, K · 220 V / 127 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
118 / 124 / 117

Why visit Madagascar

Madagascar suits travellers with time and patience. At 587,041 km², it is a big country, and its main towns are far apart. Antananarivo, the capital, is inland, while Toamasina, Tôlanaro and Antsiranana are on the coast. The best months to go are May, July, August and September. The honest limitation is distance: on a short trip you will see only one part of the country. French and Malagasy are the official languages, so some French helps.

  • A clear best-travel window

    Our data rates September, July, August and May as the best months to visit Madagascar. If you can, plan your trip for one of these months. The rest of the year scores lower, so check conditions carefully before you book.

  • A big island to explore

    Madagascar covers 587,041 km² and has about 32,658,977 people. There is a lot of ground to cover, so do not try to see everything at once. Pick one region and give yourself time to travel between places.

  • Antananarivo as your base

    The capital, Antananarivo, is the largest city, with 1,275,207 people. It sits inland, away from the coast. Most trips start here, and it links well with Antsirabe, another inland city of 265,018 people.

  • Coastal towns for sea air

    For time by the water, head to coastal cities such as Toamasina (225,116 people), Tôlanaro (67,284 people) or Antsiranana. Each makes a good stop if you want to add the coast to an inland route through Antananarivo or Antsirabe.

  • French helps you get around

    Malagasy and French are the official languages. If you speak some French, you will find it easier to ask for directions and read signs. The local currency is the Malagasy ariary, and traffic drives on the right.

Is Madagascar right for you?

Great for

  • Dry-season trips from May to September, with only 1.2–3.1 rain days a month
  • Walkers who dislike heat: average highs stay between 18.7°C and 25.5°C all year
  • Sun seekers in September to December, with 11.4–11.9 hours of sun a day
  • French speakers, as French is one of the 2 official languages

Less ideal for

  • Trips from January to March, with 20.9–24 rain days and up to 335 mm of rain
  • Travellers who hate cold nights: July lows average 6.9°C, so pack warm layers
  • Short trips hoping to see a lot: the country covers 587041 km²

Madagascar right now: October

8.5/10
Avg high
25°C
Avg low
12°C
Rain days
7

Averages for Madagascar.

Weather by month

The climate data covers Madagascar as a whole for 2015–2024, not one named city, and May to September is best, with only 4–16 mm of rain a month and highs of 19–23°C, though July nights drop to 7°C. Skip January if you dislike rain: it gets 335 mm over 24 rain days, and December to March stays wet, although these months still rate as good.

Average highs and lows in Madagascar by month January: high 24°C, low 15°C , 24 rain days . February: high 24°C, low 15°C , 21 rain days . March: high 23°C, low 14°C , 21 rain days . April: high 23°C, low 13°C , 10 rain days . May: high 21°C, low 10°C , 3 rain days . June: high 19°C, low 8°C , 3 rain days . July: high 19°C, low 7°C , 1 rain days . August: high 21°C, low 8°C , 1 rain days . September: high 23°C, low 9°C , 1 rain days . October: high 25°C, low 12°C , 7 rain days . November: high 26°C, low 13°C , 15 rain days . December: high 25°C, low 14°C , 19 rain days . 24°C 15°C JAN 24d 24°C 15°C FEB 21d 23°C 14°C MAR 21d 23°C 13°C APR 10d 21°C 10°C MAY 3d 19°C 8°C JUN 3d 19°C 7°C JUL 1d 21°C 8°C AUG 1d 23°C 9°C SEP 1d 25°C 12°C OCT 7d 26°C 13°C NOV 15d 25°C 14°C DEC 19d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Madagascar (country average) · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Madagascar: month-by-month weather →

Sample itineraries

7 days

Highlands and the coast in one week

  1. Day 1–2

    Antananarivo

    Settle in the capital, a city of 1275207 people. Change money into Malagasy ariary, get plug adapters for types C, E, J or K, and walk the centre on foot.

  2. Day 3–4

    Antsirabe

    Move to Antsirabe, an inland city of 265018 people and a calmer base than the capital. Spend your time walking its streets and markets at a slower pace.

  3. Day 5–7

    Toamasina

    End the week on the coast in Toamasina. Use the last days to rest by the sea, then plan your way back, since the fact pack gives no route details.

10 days

Capital, then a long stay up north

  1. Day 1–2

    Antananarivo

    Start in the capital and sort out the basics: Malagasy ariary cash, adapters for plug types C, E, J or K, and a few words of Malagasy or French.

  2. Day 3–5

    Ambanja

    Go on to Ambanja, a small inland town. Three days give you time to slow down, walk around and get a feel for daily life away from the big cities.

  3. Day 6–9

    Antsiranana

    Spend four days in coastal Antsiranana. Use it as a base for easy days by the sea. Check how you will get onward before you book, as no route data is given.

  4. Day 10

    Antananarivo

    Return to the capital for your last day. Save the emergency numbers 118, 124 and 117, and keep some ariary for final costs before you leave.

Food to try in Madagascar

Romazava

A stew of beef, often zebu, and leafy greens, often called the national dish. It is served with rice at home and in small local eateries called hotely.

Ravitoto

Cassava leaves pounded and cooked slowly with pork. Eat it with a large plate of rice. It is a common family meal, especially in the central highlands.

Vary amin'anana

Rice cooked soft with chopped greens, sometimes with a little meat. Many Malagasy people eat it for breakfast, and you will find it at simple roadside eateries.

Mofo gasy

Small, lightly sweet cakes made from rice flour and cooked in round metal moulds. Street sellers make them early in the morning, and people eat them with coffee.

Koba

A dense sweet of ground peanuts, rice flour, banana and sugar, wrapped in banana leaves. Vendors sell it in slices at markets and along the roads.

Ranon'apango

A drink made by boiling water in the pot with the burnt rice crust left after cooking. It tastes slightly smoky. Families drink it with meals, and some eateries serve it too.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Sockets take plug types C, E, J and K. Voltage is listed as 220 V / 127 V, so check your devices before plugging in and pack a universal adapter.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the right side of the road in Madagascar. Take extra care if you are used to driving on the left.
  • Emergency numbers: The emergency numbers listed for Madagascar are 118, 124 and 117. Save all three in your phone before you arrive so you can call for help quickly.
  • Currency: The local currency is the Malagasy ariary. Check current exchange rates before you travel so you understand what you are paying.
  • Language: The main languages are Malagasy and French. Learning a few basic phrases in either one will help you in shops, markets and on local transport.
  • Time zone: Madagascar is on UTC+03:00. Check the time difference from home before you book flights, transfers or calls.
  • Phone calling code: The country calling code is +261. Check roaming charges with your mobile provider before you go, as costs can add up quickly abroad.

Madagascar: frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Madagascar?

The best time is May to October, and September scores highest at 9.8. September averages 11 mm of rain on 1.2 days, with 11.4 hours of sun and highs of 23.4°C. July and August both score 9.7. These figures are one average for the whole country (2015–2024), so conditions in a given region can differ.

Is Madagascar good to visit in January?

January is possible, but it is the wettest month and not the best choice. It averages 335 mm of rain on 24 days and scores 7, against 9.7 in July and August. February (274 mm) and March (204 mm) are also wet. If you want drier conditions, wait for May, when rain drops to 12 mm.

How cold does Madagascar get in July?

July is mild by day and cool at night. Average highs are 18.7°C and lows 6.9°C, the coldest nights of the year. June is similar, with lows of 8.1°C. Pack a warm layer for evenings. The upside is dry weather: July averages only 6 mm of rain on 1.4 days.

What plugs and voltage does Madagascar use?

Madagascar uses plug types C, E, J and K. The listed voltage is 220 V / 127 V, so check that your chargers and devices accept the supply before you plug in. Bring a travel adapter that covers these plug types.

What currency and languages are used in Madagascar?

The currency is the Malagasy ariary. The languages are Malagasy and French. Madagascar is on UTC+03:00, and the international calling code is +261. The capital is Antananarivo, the largest city.

What is the emergency number in Madagascar?

The emergency numbers listed for Madagascar are 118, 124 and 117. Save them on your phone before you travel. If you plan to drive, note that traffic in Madagascar drives on the right.

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