Africa

Madagascar in December

The rains arrive; western parks begin closing. The north and highlands remain workable early in the month.

TradeoffsHot and humid, rainy season beginning

Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar — MadagascarPhoto: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE, CC BY-SA 2.0

The straight answer

December is a month of real tradeoffs in Madagascar. The rains arrive; western parks begin closing. The north and highlands remain workable early in the month.

Weather: Hot and humid, rainy season beginning
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What December is like in Madagascar

December brings the start of the rainy season. It is hot and humid, and storms become more frequent as the month goes on. Western parks begin closing, including Tsingy de Bemaraha, and unpaved roads get harder to travel. The north and the highlands remain workable early in the month. Crowds are light and prices are moderate.

December is a mixed month. It can work for flexible travelers who stick to the highlands, the eastern rainforests or Nosy Be, especially in the first half. It is not a good time for the west. If you want the whole island open and reliable weather, pick April to November instead, with October the standout.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Madagascar this month.

Early-month north and highlands

The first part of December is often still workable for Andasibe, Ranomafana and the north around Nosy Be.

Newly green landscapes

The first rains turn the dry landscape fresh and green quickly.

Active wildlife

Warm, wet conditions keep frogs, chameleons and young lemurs busy and easy to spot on guided walks.

What to pack for December

A packable rain jacket
Quick-dry clothes and a spare pair of shoes
Insect repellent and malaria tablets as advised
Dry bags for electronics

Our timing tip

Travel in the first half of December and skip the west entirely, since Tsingy de Bemaraha typically closes as the rains arrive.

Book Madagascar for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Madagascar
Opens a hotel search for Madagascar in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Madagascar
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Madagascar
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Madagascar for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Madagascar

Full guide

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

The easiest rainforest park from the capital, home to the indri. Go on a guided morning walk for the calls and a night walk for mouse lemurs and chameleons.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Avenue of the Baobabs

Giant Grandidier's baobabs lining a dirt road near Morondava on the west coast. Go at sunset or sunrise for the classic light.

Tickets and tours →

Tsingy de Bemaraha

A UNESCO-listed labyrinth of limestone pinnacles crossed by suspension bridges. Accessible only in the dry season, roughly May to November, via a long rough drive.

Tickets and tours →

Ranomafana National Park

Misty highland rainforest where the golden bamboo lemur was discovered, plus hot springs in the nearby village.

Tickets and tours →

Isalo National Park

Sandstone canyons, natural swimming pools, and ring-tailed lemurs along the famous RN7 road south.

Tickets and tours →

Ile Sainte-Marie whale watching

Humpbacks migrate to the channel off the island to breed and calve, roughly July through September.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Choose April, May, October, or November over the July and August peak; the best lodges near popular parks are small and fill quickly in summer.
Book a reliable driver-guide and domestic flights early. In a country with limited infrastructure, availability, not crowds, is the real constraint.
Enter parks at opening time. Wildlife is most active early, and the guided trails are quietest before groups arrive.
Consider a single region in depth, such as RN7 in the south or the north around Nosy Be and Ankarana, rather than trying to cover the whole island.

Know before you go

Tsingy de Bemaraha typically closes for the rainy season, roughly December to April or May, when access roads become impassable.
Many unpaved roads, particularly in the west and north, are impassable in the rainy season; even the main RN7 can see delays after storms.
Domestic flights are frequently rescheduled or cancelled. Build buffer days into any itinerary, especially before an international departure.
Some small lodges near remote parks close for part of the rainy season. Check before booking between December and March.

Madagascar in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit Madagascar?

December is a month of real tradeoffs in Madagascar. The rains arrive; western parks begin closing. The north and highlands remain workable early in the month.

What is the weather like in Madagascar in December?

Hot and humid, rainy season beginning.

Is Madagascar crowded in December?

December is one of the quieter months in Madagascar; most sights can be done without long waits.