Things to Do in Antananarivo in November

November Weather in Antananarivo

26.7°C (80°F) High Temp

15.6°C (60°F) Low Temp

117 mm (4.6 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is November Right for You?

Advantages

Jacaranda season transforms the city - purple blooms peak in November along Avenue de l'Indépendance and around Analakely market, creating spectacular photo opportunities and cooler microclimates under the trees
Pre-rainy season clarity offers exceptional visibility from Rova Palace - you can see 15-20 km (9-12 miles) across the highlands on clear mornings before 10am, perfect for photography and orientation
Rice harvest festivals in surrounding villages are accessible via day trips - local communities celebrate with traditional hira gasy performances and fresh vary sosoa (rice cake) tastings unavailable other times of year
Shoulder season pricing saves 30-40% on accommodations compared to July-August peak, while still maintaining dry morning conditions for outdoor activities before afternoon showers

Considerations

Afternoon thunderstorms arrive suddenly between 2-4pm on 60% of days, lasting 45-90 minutes with heavy downpours that flood lower Analakely streets and disrupt outdoor market visits
High humidity 15.6-26.7°C (60-80°F) makes climbing the 12 Sacred Hills exhausting - locals avoid midday hikes and many tourists underestimate the physical challenge in these conditions
Zebu market and lemur park visits become muddy and less pleasant after rain - red laterite soil sticks to shoes and makes walking treacherous on slopes around Tsimbazaza Zoo

Best Activities in November

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park Wildlife Tours

November marks peak indri lemur calling season as they prepare for December breeding. Morning temperatures of 18-22°C (64-72°F) are perfect for the 3-4 hour forest walks, and pre-rainy season means clearer trails and better wildlife photography conditions. Afternoon rains actually increase wildlife activity as animals come out to drink.

Booking Tip: Book 7-10 days ahead through licensed park guides - tours typically cost 180,000-250,000 Ariary ($40-55). Morning departures at 6am avoid afternoon storms and offer best wildlife spotting. Look for guides certified by Madagascar National Parks authority.

Antananarivo Highland Cultural Village Tours

November rice harvest season means active terraced fields and authentic cultural experiences in villages like Ambohimanga. Cool morning temperatures 15-20°C (59-68°F) are ideal for walking through terraces and participating in harvest activities. Traditional famadihana ceremonies also begin preparation during this month.

Booking Tip: Half-day village tours cost 120,000-180,000 Ariary ($25-40) and require advance arrangement with village elders. Book through cultural tourism operators who share profits with communities. See current tour options in the booking section below.

Tsingy de Bemaraha Adventure Expeditions

November offers ideal conditions for tsingy climbing - dry rock faces for safety, but cooler temperatures than the brutal September-October heat. Morning temperatures of 22-25°C (72-77°F) make the Via Ferrata routes manageable, while afternoon storms provide dramatic lighting for photography.

Booking Tip: Multi-day expeditions cost 800,000-1,200,000 Ariary ($175-265) including transport from Antananarivo. Book minimum 14 days ahead as domestic flights fill quickly. Licensed climbing guides and proper harness equipment are mandatory.

Avenue of the Baobabs Sunset Photography Tours

November provides perfect storm-light conditions for dramatic baobab photography. Clear morning light for the 8-hour drive from Antananarivo, then spectacular cloud formations create golden-hour lighting effects impossible during dry season. Cooler evening temperatures make the wait for sunset comfortable.

Booking Tip: Two-day photography tours typically cost 600,000-900,000 Ariary ($130-195) including accommodation in Morondava. Book with operators who provide morning pickup to avoid afternoon storm delays. Professional photography guides available for additional fee.

Antananarivo Architecture Walking Tours

November's variable weather creates perfect conditions for exploring the city's French colonial and Malagasy architecture. Morning walks in 18-22°C (64-72°F) temperatures are comfortable for climbing hills, while afternoon rain provides natural break times in historic cafes and museums.

Booking Tip: Self-guided walking tours are free, but guided heritage walks cost 45,000-70,000 Ariary ($10-15) for 3 hours. Start early at 7am to cover Upper Town before heat builds. Licensed guides available through Antananarivo tourism office.

Mantasoa Lake Recreation Activities

November water levels are perfect after October rains but before heavy summer flooding. Lake temperature around 20°C (68°F) is comfortable for boating and fishing, while surrounding pine forests provide cool microclimates for hiking. Weekend zebu races and local festivities increase cultural experiences.

Booking Tip: Day trips to Mantasoa cost 80,000-120,000 Ariary ($18-26) including transport. Boat rentals available for 35,000-50,000 Ariary ($8-11) per hour. Book weekend trips early as Antananarivo residents flock here during good weather periods.

November Events & Festivals

Throughout November

Famadihana Preparation Season

November begins the preparation period for famadihana (turning of the bones) ceremonies that peak in December-January. Families gather to plan ancestral celebrations, offering cultural tourism opportunities to witness traditional silk shroud selection and tomb preparation rituals in highland villages.

Mid to Late November

Rice Harvest Festivals

Highland villages celebrate vary aloha (first rice) harvest with traditional hira gasy music performances, community feasts, and zebu sacrifice ceremonies. Ambohimanga and Mantasoa regions offer authentic experiences with prior village elder permission.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight rain poncho - afternoon storms dump 15-25 mm (0.6-1 inch) in 30 minutes and umbrellas become useless in highland winds

Breathable cotton layers - humidity reaches 70% daily and synthetic fabrics become uncomfortable during market walks and lemur park visits

Closed-toe hiking shoes with grip - laterite clay becomes slippery when wet, essential for Rova Palace stairs and hill climbing

SPF 50+ sunscreen - UV index reaches 8 at 1,400 m (4,593 ft) elevation and highland sun burns faster than expected

Light fleece or jacket - morning temperatures drop to 15.6°C (60°F) and stone buildings retain cold overnight

Quick-dry pants - essential for wildlife tracking in Andasibe where morning dew soaks vegetation along trails

Insect repellent with DEET - November humidity increases mosquito activity especially around Tsimbazaza Zoo wetlands

Portable phone charger - frequent brief power outages during storms can drain devices when using GPS for navigation

Cash in small bills - rural village visits and market vendors rarely accept large denomination Ariary notes

Headlamp or flashlight - evening rain can knock out street lighting in older city districts like Analakely

Insider Knowledge

Shop Analakely market before 11am - afternoon humidity makes the covered sections uncomfortably hot and vendors become less negotiable as tourist energy wanes

Book domestic flights to Morondava or Toliara for Tuesday-Thursday departures - weekend flights cost 40% more and Monday flights are frequently delayed by weather

Eat at local hotely restaurants during afternoon storms - prices drop 20-30% during rain hours as foot traffic decreases and you'll experience authentic shelter-sharing culture

Use November's rice harvest season to negotiate better village homestay experiences - families have extra income and time before December ceremony preparations intensify

Avoid These Mistakes

Scheduling Andasibe wildlife tours after 2pm when afternoon storms reduce lemur activity and make forest trails dangerous for non-experienced hikers

Wearing white or light colors to red dirt regions like Ambohimanga - November's wet-dry cycle creates permanent staining that hotel laundry cannot remove

Booking same-day domestic flights during November storm season - afternoon thunderstorms cause 30% of flights to be delayed or canceled, disrupting tight itineraries