When packing for a trip to the coast of Africa, tourists should be aware that the can vary greatly and there are many factors that can affect the weather during one’s trip to the country.
For example, the weather in Madagascar can be very different depending on the time of year in which visitors plan to travel. This country has two seasons: a hot, rainy season between November and April and a cool, dry season from May to October. Based on this schedule, December tends to be the hottest month, with temperatures between the low 60s and mid-80s. July is usually the coldest month, with temperatures ranging between the low 50s and the high 70s. The time of year can also affect tropical storms, which form in the Indian Ocean between December and March. Usually they hit the eastern side of the island and can cause heavy rains and destructive floods. These hot months can also bring monsoons to the northwest coast of the country.
The weather varies greatly from one region to another, so tourists should expect different climates depending on which parts of the country they plan to visit. For example, those who head over to Madagascar’s east coast will find the wettest environments, which are home to the island’s beautiful rainforests. The central highlands are like being in a completely different world. This region is cool and dry. Still, the southwest is even drier. Some spots in this region are considered deserts because they receive such little rainfall during the year.
Since the weather can change throughout one’s trip, visitors to Madagascar should pack a variety of clothing. Those who are planning to visit the central area of the country during the summer, or the north and south throughout the year, should bring lightweight clothes. Tourists who plan to venture into the island’s mountainous regions should bring warmer clothing. Guests that go to the east coast of Madagascar will find that rainwear may come in handy. Since rain also tends to create mud, and lots of mosquitoes, sturdy boots and bug repellent might also be useful.
Still, the one thing tourists should not forget is their cameras. Madagascar has many beautiful sites to see, from lakes to waterfalls to nature reserves, and visitors will find that its varying climate creates a wide range of natural wonders.