Africa

Madagascar in March

Still cyclone season and heavy rains. Some eastern rainforest parks remain workable, but the west is largely inaccessible.

Think twiceWarm and wet, rains beginning to ease late month

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

The straight answer

March is a month to think twice about visiting Madagascar. Still cyclone season and heavy rains. Some eastern rainforest parks remain workable, but the west is largely inaccessible.

Weather: Warm and wet, rains beginning to ease late month
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 1 of 5

What March is like in Madagascar

March is still cyclone season, with warm weather and heavy rains that start to ease late in the month. Some eastern rainforest parks, like Andasibe, remain workable, but the west is largely out of reach and Tsingy de Bemaraha stays closed. Roads are slow and domestic flights can change at short notice. Crowds and prices are at their lowest.

March is best avoided for most trips. Experienced travelers who stick to the highlands and eastern rainforests may find some good days, especially late in the month. For a much safer bet with the same green scenery and low crowds, wait just a few weeks for April or May.

Make the most of March

What is especially good about Madagascar this month.

Rainforest night walks

Andasibe's night walks for mouse lemurs and chameleons can be excellent in the wet, warm weather.

Rains start to ease

Late March often brings more breaks in the rain, a sign the dry season is near.

Green everywhere

The highlands and eastern forests are lush after months of rain.

What to pack for March

A rain jacket and quick-dry trousers
Leech-proof socks or long socks for wet forest trails
A headlamp
Insect repellent and malaria tablets as advised

Our timing tip

If March is your only option, plan the east and highlands only and push your dates to the last week, when the rains usually ease.

Book Madagascar for March.

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

What's on in March

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 March, quick answers

Is March a good time to visit Madagascar?

March is a month to think twice about visiting Madagascar. Still cyclone season and heavy rains. Some eastern rainforest parks remain workable, but the west is largely inaccessible.

What is the weather like in Madagascar in March?

Warm and wet, rains beginning to ease late month.

Is Madagascar crowded in March?

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

What is happening in Madagascar in March?

Cyclone season (roughly january through march).