Africa

Madagascar in September

Lemur babies, warming reptiles, and the end of whale season. One of the best all-around months.

BestWarming and dry, highs near 77F (25C) in the highlands

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

The straight answer

September is one of the best months of the year to visit Madagascar. Lemur babies, warming reptiles, and the end of whale season. One of the best all-around months.

Weather: Warming and dry, highs near 77F (25C) in the highlands
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What September is like in Madagascar

September is warming and dry, with highland highs near 77F (25C). It is one of the best all-round months. Many lemur species start carrying newborns, reptiles become more active as it warms, and whale season off Ile Sainte-Marie is drawing to a close. Jacarandas begin to bloom purple in Antananarivo. Crowds ease a little after August, but prices stay fairly high.

September suits wildlife lovers, photographers and families with older kids. You get the dry season's easy access with more animal activity than in winter. If whales are your top priority, go early in the month. If you want the fullest baby lemur season and fewer people, October is equally strong.

Make the most of September

What is especially good about Madagascar this month.

Baby lemur season begins

Many lemur species give birth as the dry season ends, and mothers carry tiny infants on their backs or bellies.

Last of the whales

Humpbacks are still off Ile Sainte-Marie early in the month before heading south.

Chameleons wake up

Warmer nights bring reptiles out, which makes night walks in Andasibe and Ranomafana more rewarding.

What to pack for September

A camera with a zoom lens for lemurs in the canopy
Light layers for warm days and cool mornings
Hiking shoes
Insect repellent and malaria tablets as advised

Our timing tip

Plan Ile Sainte-Marie for the first half of September to catch the end of whale season, then head inland for lemurs.

Book Madagascar for September.

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

What's on in September

Humpback whale season off Ile Sainte-Marie

Roughly July through September

Humpbacks come to the warm channel between Ile Sainte-Marie and the mainland to mate and calve. Boat trips run from the island.

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 September, quick answers

Is September a good time to visit Madagascar?

September is one of the best months of the year to visit Madagascar. Lemur babies, warming reptiles, and the end of whale season. One of the best all-around months.

What is the weather like in Madagascar in September?

Warming and dry, highs near 77F (25C) in the highlands.

Is Madagascar crowded in September?

Madagascar is busy in September, though mornings and late afternoons stay workable.

What is happening in Madagascar in September?

Humpback whale season off Ile Sainte-Marie (roughly july through september); Lemur baby season (roughly september through november, varying by species); Famadihana (turning of the bones) (roughly july through october in the highlands).