Africa

Madagascar in February

The most likely month for a cyclone strike. Only for travelers who can absorb cancellations and closed routes.

Think twiceHot and wet, the heart of cyclone season

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

The straight answer

February is a month to think twice about visiting Madagascar. The most likely month for a cyclone strike. Only for travelers who can absorb cancellations and closed routes.

Weather: Hot and wet, the heart of cyclone season
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 1 of 5

What February is like in Madagascar

February is the heart of cyclone season and the most likely month for a cyclone strike, most often on the east and north coasts. It is hot and wet, rain falls in torrents, and many roads become impassable. Western parks are closed and some small lodges near remote parks shut for the season. Visitor numbers and prices are at their lowest.

February is not a good month for a Madagascar trip. Only travelers with loose plans and a high tolerance for cancelled flights and closed routes should go. Everyone else should wait for April or May, when the rains have ended and the island is green, or plan for September to November for the best wildlife.

Make the most of February

What is especially good about Madagascar this month.

Wet-season wildlife

Frogs, chameleons and insects are at their most active in the rainforests, if you can get to them.

An empty island

The few travelers who come have parks and guides almost to themselves.

Waterfalls in full flow

Heavy rain fills the highland rivers and waterfalls, especially around Ranomafana.

What to pack for February

Waterproof jacket and trousers
Dry bags for everything electronic
Insect repellent and malaria tablets as advised
Travel insurance that covers weather cancellations

Our timing tip

Watch cyclone forecasts in the week before you fly and be ready to change domestic flights, since storms can ground them for days.

Book Madagascar for February.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Madagascar
Opens a hotel search for Madagascar in February, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for February
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 February. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in February

Cyclone season

Roughly January through March

Tropical cyclones strike in some years, most often the east and north coasts. Heavy rain can cut roads and ground flights for days.

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 February, quick answers

Is February a good time to visit Madagascar?

February is a month to think twice about visiting Madagascar. The most likely month for a cyclone strike. Only for travelers who can absorb cancellations and closed routes.

What is the weather like in Madagascar in February?

Hot and wet, the heart of cyclone season.

Is Madagascar crowded in February?

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

What is happening in Madagascar in February?

Cyclone season (roughly january through march).