Africa

Madagascar in October

Excellent wildlife, jacarandas in bloom, and thinner crowds than August. A top pick.

BestWarm and dry, highs near 81F (27C)

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

The straight answer

October is one of the best months of the year to visit Madagascar. Excellent wildlife, jacarandas in bloom, and thinner crowds than August. A top pick.

Weather: Warm and dry, highs near 81F (27C)
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What October is like in Madagascar

October is warm and dry, with highs near 81F (27C), and it is a top pick. Wildlife activity is excellent: lemurs carry babies, reptiles are out in force, and the forests are lively. Jacarandas bloom purple across Antananarivo. Crowds are thinner than in August, though prices stay fairly high. All the western parks, including the Tsingy, are open.

October suits nearly everyone, from first-time visitors to serious wildlife photographers. It is the month many guides would choose for a first trip. The west can get hot, so plan long drives and hikes for the morning. If October is booked up, September and November are close alternatives.

Make the most of October

What is especially good about Madagascar this month.

Lemur babies everywhere

Infant lemurs ride on their mothers in the rainforests and dry forests alike. It is a highlight for kids and photographers.

Jacarandas in bloom

The capital's jacaranda trees turn purple, a nice start or end to the trip in Antananarivo.

Tsingy in top condition

Dry trails and open roads make this a good month to tackle the suspension bridges and pinnacles of Tsingy de Bemaraha.

What to pack for October

Sun hat and high-SPF sunscreen
Light, long-sleeved shirts for sun and mosquitoes
Gloves for gripping sharp limestone at the Tsingy
A reusable water bottle

Our timing tip

Enter parks right at opening time, when lemurs are most active and the guided trails are quietest.

Book Madagascar for October.

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

What's on in October

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.

Famadihana (turning of the bones)

Roughly July through October in the highlands

A family ceremony in which ancestral remains are rewrapped in new shrouds, with music and feasting. These are private events; attend only if invited by a family.

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 October, quick answers

Is October a good time to visit Madagascar?

October is one of the best months of the year to visit Madagascar. Excellent wildlife, jacarandas in bloom, and thinner crowds than August. A top pick.

What is the weather like in Madagascar in October?

Warm and dry, highs near 81F (27C).

Is Madagascar crowded in October?

Crowds in Madagascar are moderate in October; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.

What is happening in Madagascar in October?

Lemur baby season (roughly september through november, varying by species); Famadihana (turning of the bones) (roughly july through october in the highlands).