Madagascar in December
The rains return and the festive season begins: warm seas, green forests and the beaches at their liveliest.
Plan a December journeyDecember marks the start of the rainy season. The west closes as its tracks turn to mud, and cyclones become possible from this month. At the same time, the coasts are hot, the sea is warm and the end-of-year holidays bring a festive season to the beaches. A December journey works best on the islands, in the south-west and on routes close to good roads.
December at a glance
Highlands
Warm, with frequent afternoon storms.
West & South
The Tsingy de Bemaraha are closed and the western tracks impassable. The south-west stays the driest region.
East coast
Rain increases, with cyclone risk from December.
Season
Festive season on the coast: book the holidays early.
What December brings
Festive season on the coast
The end-of-year holidays are the second high point of the tourist year on the coasts and islands.
The diving season ends
Off Anakao, the diving season runs until December, before the rivers cloud the water.
Frogs and reptiles return
With the rains, frogs and many reptiles become active again.
Green forests
The first rains revive the forests and the rice fields.
Where to go in December
Best in December
Possible, with flexibility
Plan around
- The Tsingy de Bemaraha and the western tracks are closed
- Cyclone risk from December: a flexible route and insurance
Journeys for December
Routes that are at their best this month. Each one is a starting point, shaped around your dates.
7 daysNosy Be Archipelago: A Private Villa Discovery
An island-hopping journey through the Nosy Be archipelago, centred on private marine…
14 daysElegance and Tradition in the Malagasy Highlands
A journey into the cultural heart of Madagascar, exploring the ancestral traditions…
1 dayAntananarivo: In the Footsteps of Merina Royalty
A one-day immersion into the royal history of the Merina Kingdom, from…
11 daysA Southern Transect: From the Highlands to the Coast
A journey through southern Madagascar's contrasting landscapes, from the lush rainforests of…
Travelling in December
Is December a good time to visit Madagascar?
It is the start of the rainy season, so it suits beach stays, the south-west and the highlands better than the west. The holidays make the coasts lively and busy.
What about cyclones?
Cyclones can reach Madagascar between October and May, with the highest risk from January to March, mostly on the east coast. We follow the forecasts closely, keep the route flexible and recommend good travel insurance.
Can we visit the Tsingy de Bemaraha in December?
No. The park closes at the end of November and the western tracks are impassable during the rains.
How far ahead should we book for the holidays?
Six months or more for Christmas and New Year, when the island lodges fill first.
Madagascar in December,
designed around you
Tell us your dates and what you dream of seeing. We will build the route around the season.