Madagascar for 1 month - are June/July best time?
 

Hi all

NOT travelling in my own vehicle :( but backpacking. However HUBB-ers might still have some useful thoughts.

Some people have said that June/July are the best time whereas others say later in the year like Oct-Dec is better so I thought I'd throw it out there.

Am looking to fly into Tana and spend c. 1 month going around.....thinking initially of start - end June but depending on any advice I get might consider mid June - mid July or start - end July.

It’s also been thrown in that certain times of the year are more busy than others because of French people going there for holidays, so any advice on that also useful to hear.

Any thoughts would be gratefully received, and then we can move on to the 'where to go / what to see' bits!

Cheers

Mark

clima changing makes it difficult to rely on former weather patterns.
huricane season was dec.-febr.
french holiday season july-august
i've been there in sept. some 30 years ago and all was quite fine weatherwise.

beware of pickpockets and general thievery.

There's also the question of whether you scuba dive - october to december is (historically) whale shark season (though the point about climate change is a good one)

I traveled extensively through Madagascar. July August is a good time to visit the West Coast of Madagascar as it is Winter in the southern hemisphere. Less stifling heat. Dry. October November is spring in the central highlands. Very pleasant. Avoid rainy season. Like Itchy Boots found out. April even May certain tracks are still water logged or rivers impassable. Depending. Be flexible. I'd buy a Chinese bike. New MADA is a good popular brand. Some of my friends use a 150cc boxer boda boda. Malagasy are easy going friendly people. I'm in the process of settling there actually...

Backpacking... Well... Not well suited... Surface transport can be grueling.. whenever possible take best transport. Cotisse or Soatrans. There's accommodation less than 10$ a day. That's what I m using. I travel with a huge old Rimowa aluminum hard case. July August you won't find any cheap flights be aware of that. April May or September October you can find cheap flights. Don't try to do Madagascar in one bite... I always went 3 months. In case you don't speak any french learn 300 words...