Straddling Seasons

If you are a person who prefers to go on the safe side, then April to May might be the right period of travel for you. April is still part of the rainy season, although there is a lesser to no risk of being caught in a cyclone, yet the countryside is still green and the rice paddies start to be golden, the harvest season has just started. While there may still be some downpours, there will also be plenty of sunshine with blue skies.

April and May to be among the best months for photographers to visit Madagascar as it is not yet high season and there is no longer sheltering from the rain, the underfoot is dry, the temperatures warm but not too hot. The landscape is still green and lush, wildlife vibrant and active as the days are long, the air clear, the sky free of any impurities such as the morning mist and drizzle often found during the dry season in the highlands. It's also not too busy in these months, so you'll get the popular places more to yourself and you'll find it easier to get your first choice of accommodation.

Bird Watching

September to December is the birds breeding season. It is the best time to observe them when they are most vocal. Visits before and after this period however have shown their interest particularly in southern and western parts of Madagascar and especially for birds that are not restricted to humid forests.

Whale Shark Watching

September through December is the best time of the year to spot Whale Sharks in the Mozambique Channel, north and south of the island of Nosy be and Tsarabanjina. Whale sharks are the biggest fish on earth. A whale shark can be as long as impressive 10 meters. Whale sharks are filter feeding as baleen whales, therefore not dangerous to humans. Whale sharks are wonderful gentle giants; for the luckiest, meeting one is an unforgettable lifetime encounter.

Kite Surfing & Wind Surfing

Kite surfing and Wind surfing season in Madagascar runs from late March to late November with its peak season between June and September when the trade winds are the strongest.

Rainforests of the North East

The north eastern coast of Madagascar is the region of lush green rainforest as those of Masoala National Park or Marojejy National Park further north. If you wish to travel to these areas the best time is between March to May, as the risk of cyclones is low and the warm morning sun will dry away the paths from the afternoon or nightly storms. While during the dry season it will more likely rain for days and covered skies will make it almost impossible to move in these areas.