Africa

Madagascar in November

Great for chameleons, frogs, and fossa activity, with rains building toward month's end. Book the west early in the month.

GoodHot, highs near 84F (29C), first rains late month

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

The straight answer

November is a good month to visit Madagascar. Great for chameleons, frogs, and fossa activity, with rains building toward month's end. Book the west early in the month.

Weather: Hot, highs near 84F (29C), first rains late month
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What November is like in Madagascar

November is hot, with highs near 84F (29C), and the first rains start to build late in the month. Wildlife is very active: chameleons and frogs are out, lemur babies are growing, and fossa activity picks up. Crowds are light and prices dip. The west is still reachable early in the month, but roads there get harder as the rains approach.

November suits wildlife fans who want active animals and quiet parks at better prices. Plan any western travel, like the Tsingy or the Avenue of the Baobabs, for early November. If you want dry weather for the whole trip, October is safer. Avoid pushing into December if the west is on your list.

Make the most of November

What is especially good about Madagascar this month.

Reptile and frog season

Warm, humid nights bring chameleons and frogs out in numbers, making night walks especially good.

Fossa activity

Madagascar's largest predator becomes more active, and sightings are more likely in the western dry forests.

Growing lemur babies

Young lemurs are bigger and more playful, often venturing off their mothers' backs.

What to pack for November

A light rain jacket for late-month storms
Breathable, quick-dry clothing
Insect repellent and malaria tablets as advised
A headlamp for night walks

Our timing tip

Do the western parks in the first half of November and save the eastern rainforests for the end of the trip, when rains are more likely.

Book Madagascar for November.

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

What's on in November

Lemur baby season

Roughly September through November, varying by species

Many lemur species give birth as the dry season ends, and mothers carry infants on their backs or bellies. A standout time for wildlife photography.

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 November, quick answers

Is November a good time to visit Madagascar?

November is a good month to visit Madagascar. Great for chameleons, frogs, and fossa activity, with rains building toward month's end. Book the west early in the month.

What is the weather like in Madagascar in November?

Hot, highs near 84F (29C), first rains late month.

Is Madagascar crowded in November?

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

What is happening in Madagascar in November?

Lemur baby season (roughly september through november, varying by species).