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Madagascar Lemurs & Wildlife EcoTours

A wonderland of biodiversity, Madagascar's 1,000 endemic species include dancing sifaka lemurs, wailing indri lemurs, colorful chameleons and stealthy fossa cats. Nearly all of its reptile and amphibian species, half of its birds, and all of its lemurs are unique to the island.  

Our Madagascar itineraries carefully combine rainforest, dry spiny forest, Tsingy “stone forest”, rivers, islands and marine ecosystems to deliver unparalleled wildlife sightings – including up to 40 lemur species and countless chameleon species possible! We avoid the small, commonly-visited touristy parks with overly habituated animals that trap even the most informed travelers. Instead, our itineraries offer the best possible selection of national parks for travelers who seek a more pristine, authentic, biodiverse, uncrowded and non-commercial wildlife adventure, packed with our legendary wildlife expertise. And you won’t have to sacrifice comfort! We’ve included some of Madagascar’s most outstanding lodges and carefully arranged the majority of travel by charter flights and scheduled flights to avoid the long, rugged drives of 12-24 hours that Madagascar is notorious for. This is truly Madagascar’s ultimate weird and wonderful wildlife eco-tour!

Madagascar Lemurs & Wildlife EcoTours & Safaris - Select Your Adventure:

Madagascar - Bizarre & Beautiful: Lemurs, Chameleons & Endemics 18-Day EcoTour

Explore 5 of Madagascar’s most pristine, biodiverse and distinctly different national parks including Masoala, it’s crown jewel with 50% of Madagascar’s species, Ankarana with the highest density of primates in the world, Amber Mountain for rare animals, Andasibe-Mantadia with the world’s record for frog species, and a unique segment on the Mandrare river with insider access to the Antandroy tribe and the wildlife of their sacred spiny forest. Up to 40 lemur species! Learn More>

2024 - $13,598 2012 - $4,398 2013 - $4,598 -->

Madagascar - Bizarre & Beautiful: Lemurs, Chameleons & Endemics 12-Day EcoTour

A shorter version of our most popular itinerary featuring Masaoala, Andasibe-Mantadia and the Mandrare River, but without Ankarana and Amber Mountain. Explore a combination of rainforest, river and dry spiny forest ecosystems for a huge variety of wildlife. Travel mostly by scheduled and charter flights to avoid the small, commonly-visited touristy parks with overly habituated animals. Learn More>

2024 - $10,598 2012 - $4,398 2013 - $4,598 -->

Madagascar - Whales & Whale Sharks – 5-Day Extension

Extend your trip 4 nights to Nosy Be Island with its famous vanilla and ylang-ylang infused air. Enjoy thrilling encounters with humpback whales (July-Sept) or snorkel with gentle, giant whale sharks – the world’s largest fish (Sept-Dec) as well as dolphins and turtles.  Participate in collecting observational data for scientific research.  Learn More>

2024 - $1,998 2012 - $4,398 2013 - $4,598 -->

Madagascar - Tsingy de Bemaraha & Kirindy - 7D/6N Extension

Explore the famous limestone pinnacle “forests” of Tsingy de Bemaraha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, plus Kirindy National Park and a canoe trip on the Manambolo river. Home to a combined 17 lemur species including Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur, the world’s smallest primate, plus cat-like fossa, gorgeous Labord’s and Oustalet’s chameleons. Learn More>

2024 - Call for Pricing 2012 - $4,398 2013 - $4,598 -->

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• CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

Madagascar’s tourism drought could fuel another crisis

Isolation helped establish the island’s biodiversity. Now its remoteness poses a threat to lemurs and other wildlife.

Two Coquerel’s sifakas, an endangered lemur species, cling to trees in the Palmarium Reserve on Madagascar, where nearly all international flights have been grounded since late March.

A cruel irony hangs over Madagascar, a massive island about 250 miles off the east coast of Africa. In this wonderland of biodiversity and bucket-list destination for travelers, the very thing that has defined it—isolation—could be its undoing.

Nearly the size of Texas, and split off from the African mainland some 180 million years ago, this Indian Ocean island is a world apart. It’s the only place on the planet to find lemurs in the wild, and 90 percent of its plants and animals are endemic.

In mid-March, Patricia Wright was in Madagascar, where the renowned primatologist travels six times a year, to oversee the transfer of a dozen greater bamboo lemurs from a rice field into the rain forest. Village farmers had grown agitated over the critically endangered creature eating their crop.

“It was a rescue operation,” says Wright, who runs the state-of-the-art Centre ValBio research station on the edge of Ranomafana National Park , a protected lemur habitat on the eastern coast of Madagascar that she helped establish in 1991.

Just before the expedition launched, the coronavirus hit. Flights in and out of Madagascar came to a grinding halt, and the Malagasy government restricted travel between cities. Wright caught the final flight off the island on March 20—the day Madagascar confirmed its first three COVID-19 cases—and has spent the ensuing weeks across the globe in New York, where she is a professor at Long Island’s Stony Brook University.

In the capital city of Antananarivo on April 27, a police officer watches a man sweep the street, his penalty for not wearing a face mask in public.

“We sent a message to the village to be sure they understood why we couldn’t come,” she says. “They said they would continue not to hunt [the lemurs] and wait for us to come. But when can we go? Everything’s locked down.” The scenario underscores the challenges facing Madagascar’s biodiversity in the time of COVID-19.

The role of tourism

Madagascar frequently ranks among the 10 poorest countries in the world, according to the International Monetary Fund. Last year, more than 375,000 tourists visited Madagascar, with annual tourism dollars reaching nearly $900 million . While those numbers remain modest, consider that the average traveler spends around $3,000 in a country where 75 percent of its 25 million inhabitants live on less than $1.90 a day .

“Madagascar is starting to get on the lips of people who are looking for new destinations in Africa,” says Bruce Simpson, the CEO of Time and Tide, a collection of luxury safari camps that opened Madagascar’s first five-star eco-lodge, Time and Tide Miavana , in 2017 on the private island of Nosy Ankao. The lodge’s high nightly rates help fund a project to protect crowned lemurs and support local seaweed farmers, providing a lucrative alternative to overfishing.

But no flights mean no guests at Miavana or the country’s other eco-lodges and resorts. The lack of visitors has emboldened animals around the island to start emerging from their hiding places, says Maholy Ravalohariminitra, a National Geographic Photo Ark EDGE fellow who is focused on conservation of the Madagascar big-headed turtle. In places like Andasibe-Mantadia National Park , indri lemurs—as well as snakes, frogs, birds, and more—are venturing out.

While wildlife taking back terrain plays well on social media, the reality threatens to deliver a devastating blow here. “Tourism offers indirect protection—more eyes and ears within protected areas keeps illicit activities at bay,” says Rio Heriniaina, another Photo Ark EDGE fellow, working to protect the indri.

( Related: This town in Costa Rica is facing an eco-tourism crisis .)

Empty recliners dot Ifaty beach on Madagascar, where tourism had been on the rise before the coronavirus pandemic.

Conservationists have been hoping that rising tourism can help stem the tide of illegal deforestation, which could wipe away the last of the island’s rain forests by 2080, according to models published last year in the journal Nature Climate Change. Habitat loss and hunting for meat are the biggest threats to lemurs.

Desperate locals turn to exploiting natural resources, says Steve Goodman, an American conservation biologist who has lived in Madagascar since 1988.

“The tourism industry has come to zero plus zero,” Goodman says, referring to the sudden freeze in cash flow for the tourist economy. “This has an enormous impact, both on a high level but also for the local guides that need to feed their families.”

Epidemiologist Christopher Golden, a National Geographic fellow who’s been doing environmental and public health research in Madagascar for 20 years, echoes that concern. The lack of tourism, he says, is “weakening and destabilizing people’s incentives to maintain protected areas.”

When disaster strikes here, Malagasy farmers tend to revert to slash-and-burn agriculture in the forests—torching trees to create ash fertilizer for the soil—while local fishers employ unsustainable methods on the coast. Another negative consequence of the pandemic is that visiting researchers and students, who provide practical and financial support to the island’s conservation efforts, can’t get here.

A history of outbreaks

Just over 370 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Madagascar, with only two reported deaths, to date. Testing is limited, however, and President Andry Rajoelina’s controversial promotion of an untested herbal tonic , called Covid-Organics, complicates the matter.

For now, the more immediate public health threat detected by Golden and his team of data analysts is a flare-up of malaria—a behavior-induced byproduct of the coronavirus. “When COVID arrived here,” he says, “many people left the villages and moved into their remote hamlet homes.” High season for malaria typically occurs in April—a month when people wouldn’t normally spend as much time in the forest.

These issues are but the latest in Madagascar’s tumultuous history, which ranges from political upheaval—most recently, a nine-month-long coup d’état in 2009—to recent bouts of bubonic plague and cholera.

“We have lots of experience with very ancient diseases,” says Sonja Gottlebe, a German-born, Malagasy-raised travel entrepreneur who has run her Boogie Pilgrim tour company here for more than three decades.

Recently emerged from a cocoon, a Madagascan moon moth dries its wings in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park.

In the Anja Community Reserve, a ring-tailed lemur looks out over the valley and rice paddies.

Yet the emergence of COVID-19 has locals like Gottlebe rattled. For one thing, she worries about its impact on the European visitors that keep her business afloat. Typically, 60 percent of foreign arrivals are French and Italian, she says, two countries hit hard by the pandemic.

Not everyone fears the worst, though. “If our [coronavirus] numbers remain relatively low compared to other countries, I’m confident this will be a good thing for the rebound of tourists,” says Haja Rasambainarivo, the Malagasy co-founder of Asisten Travel , whose company has seen about a hundred rescheduled or canceled trips so far. “Madagascar is used to dealing with crises, which makes me believe we will be resilient to this.”

Eyes on the horizon

While the world waits to see what will happen next, travel operators and researchers in Madagascar are doing what they can. After giving up the rent on her office in early May, Gottlebe has relocated operations to a spare bedroom in her home and pivoted her company’s attention toward domestic travel, a nascent industry here.

Time and Tide’s Simpson hopes the global pause will recalibrate travelers’ motivations: “I’ve got to believe that, with all the doom and gloom, this could kickstart people into being more responsible and to travel to environments like Madagascar, where tourism could be the only thing that protects it.”

( Related: Will the sustainable travel movement survive coronavirus? )

Back in the Ranomafana rain forest, Centre ValBio staffers have been hard at work sewing masks, making soap, and setting up hand-washing stations at the local markets, stocked with sanitizer made from moonshine they purchased from village elders. From New York, Wright has been developing a series of fee-based virtual tours to help pay her staff—and, she hopes, keep her 35-year-long efforts to conserve lemurs from going, as she says, “down the drain.”

“This is difficult for everybody in the world,” Wright says, “but lemurs are only found in Madagascar, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.”

Related Topics

• CORONAVIRUS
• WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

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Madagascar: your guide to adventure travel

Oct 9, 2019 • 3 min read

Two rock climbers on the 450m monolith of Karimbony, Tsaranoro Massif in Parc National Andringitra © David Pickford / robertharding / Getty Images

You can blame DreamWorks and David Attenborough if all you know about Madagascar is that it’s the home of curious, charming lemurs and lithe-tongued, colour-changing chameleons. The wildlife – and indeed the plant life – is incredible, with 90% of it endemic to this island where life has evolved in isolation since it separated from India around 88 million years ago, but Madagascar is also an amazing adventure arena.

The national parks protect monumental landscapes: mountains stretching to nearly 3000m, tooth-like granite towers and mysterious cloud forests, mangrove swamps and primary jungle riven by rushing rivers, razor-sharp tsingy formations and deep limestone caves. The country’s 4828km coastline is no less promising – surfers rip up world-class waves, divers explore rich coral reefs, while kitesurfers and windsurfers harness some of the world’s most reliable trade winds.

Rising above the tiny village of Andonaka in Parc National Andringitra is a series of dramatic granite faces up to 800m high and streaked in black, orange and green. The big-wall face climbing of Tsaranoro – nearly all on bolts – is superlative, with routes up to 8c (the 10-pitch Mora Mora by Czech superstar Adam Ondra). The 14-pitch Out of Africa (7a) is considered by many to be the standout classic, but there are more than 50 free routes to do, with potential for many more.

It may have only one trail – the two- to three-day walk to Marojejy Peak (2132m) – but the World Heritage-listed Parc National de Marojejy leads walkers through evergreen rainforest to misty montane cloud forest and low alpine tundra. Twitchers can spot up to 118 species of birds, while the park has 11 species of lemur, including the beguiling (but critically endangered) silky sifaka.

South of Marojejy, on the Masoala Peninsula, there are more options, from short day walks to the gruelling seven-day trek from Maroantsetra to Cap Est. Again, the wildlife-spotting opportunities are off the scale, with 10 species of lemur, including the extremely handsome red ruffed variety, not to mention numerous delightful geckos, colourful chameleons and the exceedingly toxic tomato frog.

Other highlights include Parc National Bemaraha  and its bizarre 200m-thick plate of ancient, surreally eroded and razor sharp coral, known in the Malagasy tongue as tsingy, which can be roughly translated as ‘surface that cannot be walked upon’. The granite spires of Parc National Andringitra are also another worthy destination, particularly for plant lovers, who can try to identify more than a thousand species.

Warm Indian Ocean swells rolling up the Mozambique Channel create killer surf on the southwestern corner of Madagascar, particularly around the village of Anakao where there are least 18 breaks, 12 of which are world-class (most accessible only by boat). But surfers can find waves on all four corners of the island. Its remoteness and reputation for sharks (apparently exaggerated) have kept the crowds away, but that just means there’s no one to drop in on your wave.

Kitesurfing & windsurfing

Stroked by a powerful trade wind locals dub the ‘Varatraz’, northern Madagascar , particularly around Diego Suarez , is perfect for kitesurfers and windsurfers, who’ll have the waters of the aptly named Emerald Sea all to themselves. Sakalava Lodge makes a great base for visitors, and they also hire out gear and offer lessons.

Diving & snorkelling

Beneath the waves, the wildlife is almost as exciting as on land. Off the southwest coast you’ll find the world’s third largest coral reef system, Tuléar, with 6000 recorded species including everything from prehistoric coelacanth fish to turtles and whale sharks. Further north, the island of  Nosy Be  and its archipelago also offer exceptional diving. May to December offers the best visibility (up to 30m).

Pirogues are a tradition part of Madagascan life, and canoe trips are the perfect way to absorb local life and spot wildlife. Taking two-to-four days to paddle, the Tsiribihina and Manambolo rivers are two of Madagascar’s most popular river journeys, though the former has been blighted by security issues of late. Kayakers and rafters can also find more technical rivers such as the Manankazo and Mazy, while the sea kayaking off the east coast is superb, particularly around the Masoala Peninsula and around the Sainte Luce Reserve in the south.

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The Top 8 National Parks in Madagascar

Yann Guichaoua-Photos/Getty Images 

Roughly 88 million years ago, the island nation of Madagascar split away from the Indian subcontinent. Ever since, its plants and animals have continued to evolve in isolation. Today, more than 90 percent of the country's species—including 103 different types of lemur—cannot be found anywhere else on Earth. This high level of endemism has led to Madagascar being dubbed the “eighth continent,” making it a bucket list destination for birders and wildlife enthusiasts.

Unfortunately, despite Madagascar’s status as a biodiversity hotspot, human activity including deforestation, hunting, and the introduction of invasive species has led to widespread destruction of its natural resources. As such, its national parks are invaluable sanctuaries for the island’s remaining wildlife. From the fantastic stone forests of Tsingy de Bermaraha to the waterfalls of Amber Mountain, each one has its own weird and wonderful reasons to visit. Here are our favorite picks. 

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

mirecca/Getty Images

Located a 3.5-hour drive from the capital of Antananarivo , Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is one of the country’s most accessible and frequently visited protected areas. Covering 60 square miles, it is divided into two distinct areas: the Analamazaotra Special Reserve in the south, and Mantadia National Park in the north. Both are part of the same primary growth rainforest, and feature dense, humid green spaces filled with exotic flora and fauna.

In particular, the park is known for its 14 different lemur species. Of these, the most famous is the indri, Madagascar’s largest lemur. There are several habituated families living in Andasibe-Mantadia, making it the best place on the island for a close encounter with these critically endangered primates.

The park is also a hotspot for Madagascar’s rainforest-dependent endemic species of birds; in total, there are more than 100 different types living in Andasibe-Mantadia. You can spot them on a series of guided hikes. The easiest trails are in the Analamazaotra section of the park, while the most scenic are in Mantadia.

Isalo National Park

Anders Blomqvist/Getty Images

Another of Madagascar’s most popular reserves, Isalo National Park covers more than 300 square miles of land in the southwest of the country. It is famous for its scenic sandstone landscape, which has eroded over time into a spectacular array of mineral-stained plateaus, canyons, outcrops, and pinnacles. In between, rivers and streams wend their way through grassland plains and tracts of dense forest. This diversity has made Isalo a top destination for hikers, who come to test their stamina on trails that last anywhere from a few hours to several days. 

Things to see along the way range from idyllic natural swimming pools in jewel-like shades of jade and turquoise to the sacred burial places of the native Bara people. Wildlife abounds, too, including 14 lemur species and 81 species of birds (27 of which are endemic). In particular, Isalo National Park is known among birders as one of the best places to spot the rare Benson’s rock thrush. Guides are mandatory and can be booked at the park office in Ranohira village. 

Ranomafana National Park

hlansdown/Getty Images

Ranomafana National Park is one of the six Rainforests of the Atsinanana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s located a roughly eight-hour drive southeast of Antananarivo, and comprises 160 square miles of pristine montane rainforest. Above all, Ranomafana is famed for its incredible biodiversity. It was established in 1986 after scientists discovered the golden bamboo lemur here; now, the golden bamboo lemur is just one of 12 lemur species to call the park home. 

Others include the endangered Milne-Edwards’s sifaka and the critically endangered Sibree’s dwarf lemur. Of the park’s 115 bird species, 30 are narrow endemics only found in this region of Madagascar. Visitors come to the park to hike on five trails that range from half-day adventures to three-day expeditions. Along the way, keep an eye out for sacred lakes, waterfalls, traditional Tanala villages, and the thermal pools that give the park its name (taken from the Malagasy phrase meaning “hot water”). You can also go kayaking on the park’s main river, the Namorona. 

Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park

dennisvdw/Getty Images 

Only accessible during the April to November dry season , Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park is located in the remote wilderness of northwest Madagascar. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it covers 580 square miles and is most famous for its two unique geological features: Great Tsingy and Little Tsingy. The word “tsingy” comes from the Malagasy word meaning “the place where one cannot walk barefoot," an apt description for karstic plateaus made up exclusively of razor-sharp limestone pinnacles. 

The only way to traverse these otherworldly landscapes is via a network of aerial suspension bridges, with several different routes to explore. In addition to the park’s majestic scenery, animals to look out for include 11 lemur species (five of which are only found in western Madagascar), falanoucs and fossas, and 96 bird species. Several animals, like the Antsingy leaf chameleon and the Tsingy wood rail, only exist in this national park. Dugout canoe expeditions along the Manambolo Gorge are another highlight, stopping en route at natural swimming pools, Vazimba tombs, and caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites. 

Amber Mountain National Park

jalvarezg/Getty Images

Located in the extreme north of the country, Amber Mountain National Park is situated on an isolated volcanic massif that towers above the arid countryside and has its own unique microclimate. Whereas the surrounding area receives 39 inches of rain annually, Amber Mountain receives 141 inches. It’s a verdant wonderland of dense montane rainforest intersected by rivers, streams, crater lakes, and majestic waterfalls. The plant life here is particularly diverse, with more than 1,000 species of exotic lianas, orchids, and ferns. 

25 mammal species also call Amber Mountain home, including eight different kinds of lemurs. Among them are the endangered crowned, Sandford’s brown, and aye-aye lemurs, as well as the critically engendered northern sportive lemur. Endemic reptiles and birds abound, and in particular visitors should keep an eye out for two park specials: the Amber Mountain leaf chameleon (one of the world’s smallest reptiles) and the Amber Mountain rock thrush. The park can be explored using 19 miles of marked hiking trails, including one that takes you to the mountain summit. There are several campsites as well. 

Masoala National Park

dennisvdw/Getty Images

Comprising 888 square miles of rainforest and 38 square miles of marine parks, Masoala National Park is the largest protected area in Madagascar. Located in the northeast of the country on the Masoala peninsula, it is also one of the six UNESCO-recognized Rainforests of the Atsinanana parks. Because of its large size, the park incorporates an astonishing variety of different habitats, including tropical rainforest, coastal forest, marshes, mangroves, and flourishing coral reefs.

It is exceptionally biodiverse, and home to many peninsula specials. Among these is the red ruffed lemur, one of 10 lemur species living in the park. Birders come to look for the Madagascan serpent-eagle, a species so rare that it was previously thought to be extinct. You can traverse the park on a series of guided hikes, some of which last for several days. Other activities include spotting elusive aye-aye lemurs on the island reserve of Nosy Mangabe, snorkeling and kayaking in the marine reserves, and lounging on golden beaches. From July to September, migrating humpback whales congregate in Antongil Bay.

Andringitra National Park

Oliver Gerhard/Getty Images 

Another member of the Rainforests of the Atsinanana UNESCO World Heritage Site, Andringitra National Park covers 120 square miles in southeast Madagascar. It is dominated by the granite massif of the Andringitra Mountains, including Imarivolanitra, the second highest peak in the country. Soaring ridges and plunging valleys make for some spectacular scenery, while three distinct habitats (low altitude rainforest, mountain forest, and high altitude vegetation) harbor a diverse array of flora and fauna. 

In total, Andringitra boasts more than 1,000 plant species, 100 bird species, and more than 50 different kinds of mammals. Among these are 13 lemur species, including ring-tailed lemurs with especially thick fur. This is an adaptation to allow them to cope with the cold temperatures in the mountains, which have been known to see snowfall in winter. This national park offers a series of short and multi-day guided hikes, with sights to see along the way such as unique flora and fauna and sacred waterfalls. It’s possible to climb to the summit of Imarivolanitra, and there are several park campsites to choose from. 

Ankarafantsika National Park

Artush/Getty Images

In northern Madagascar lies Ankarafantsika National Park, which protects one of the island’s last remaining tracts of dry tropical forest. The park spreads for 520 square miles on either side of the R4 highway and is home to many endemic and endangered species—including more than 800 rare species of plant and tree. Of the eight different kinds of lemur found here, only the Coquerel’s sifaka is active during the day. For that reason, it’s well worth planning at least one night walk during your stay. 

The golden-brown mouse lemur is one of several species that can only be found in Ankarafantsika National Park. Of its 129 recorded bird species, no fewer than 75 are endemic. There are 11 well-maintained hiking trails, with possible points of interest ranging from groves of giant baobab trees to the sacred sites of the Sakalava people. Don’t miss Ravelobe Lake with its crocodiles and abundant birdlife. The endemic Madagascar fish eagle is a particular highlight. It is also possible to enjoy a boat cruise on the lake.

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You are here: Home » Travel » Madagascar Travel: 25 Experiences to Get You Started

Madagascar Travel: 25 Experiences to Get You Started

Last Updated on February 7, 2021 by Audrey Scott

Madagascar travel. While lemurs and Madagascar's unique wildlife and nature are what usually draw people to visit the country, that's just the very beginning. Here are our top travel experiences and recommendations from traveling through Madagascar to go deeper into the country's unique nature, cultures, food, landscapes, and more.

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of traveling to Madagascar? For most, lemurs and a verse (or two or three) of “I like to Move It, Move It!” from King Julien, the ring-tailed lemur star of Madagascar, the movie.

Me, too. The name Madagascar always held mystery, something of National Geographic documentaries. Exotic, remote. Travel to Madagascar and I figured I’d find strange animals and vanilla beans on a rugged island cut loose from the African continent millions of years ago. When our guide asked what we wished from our time in Madagascar, Dan joked: “To go a little deeper, to know Madagascar beyond “I like to move it, move it.”

So we did. We traveled two weeks in Madagascar with G Adventures . Wildlife, people, landscape, geology, spirituality, culture, and history – it all came together. Our journey mesmerized just as it demystified.

The following experiences are drawn from the Highlights of Madagascar tour (2 weeks) that took us around the eastern and southern parts of Madagascar, presented in chronological order. If you are considering booking a Madagascar tour with G Adventures and want to know what to expect, here’s an overview and review of the itinerary, activities and destinations you'll experience. This tour is part of the Jane Goodall Collection of travel experiences focused on wildlife and conservation . It is also now part of the new G Adventures Travel with Confidence Plus Collection that includes smaller groups, private transport and more personal accommodation space. If you choose to travel Madagascar independently, use this guide as inspiration to piece together experiences and destinations for your own itinerary of eastern and southern Madagascar. Disclosure: This trip was provided to us conjunction with our long-term partnership with G Adventures.

Table of Contents

About Madagascar: Biodiversity, History, and Cultures

Madagascar, it turns out, is one of the 17 nations of the world considered “megadiverse” because of its biodiversity and concentration of endemic species. In layman terms, 80% of plants and animals in Madagascar cannot be found anywhere else in world. All of this snaps into place with the Gondwana supercontinent : Madagascar lost contact with Africa (160 million years ago), then with Antarctica, Australia and finally India (84-95 million years ago).

Madagascar’s human population knows a similarly diverse history. Although Madagascar is physically closer to the African continent, its first permanent human settlers are said to have arrived nearly 2,000 years ago from Austronesia (near Malaysia-Indonesia). Layers of migration and cultural evolution followed: textures of Bantu tribal East Africa, signs of French colonialism, echoes of Middle Eastern trading, and Asian-style rice terraces. The national language – Malagasy – most resembles those of Malaysian Borneo. Fascinating and complex.

There’s something about taking it all in firsthand to assemble your own sense of the meaning of the Madagascar. And also understanding how tourism there can have a positive impact and support conservation and community development. With this experiential guide to traveling Madagascar, we aim to give you an idea of what you’ll see and what to seek out.

Madagascar Travel: A Two-Week Itinerary

For those of you who love maps — as we do — here is a visual of the two weeks of our route we took through eastern and southern Madagascar on our tour with G Adventures .

25 Things to Do, See and Experience in Madagascar

1. come face to face with a brown lemur at v.o.i.m.m.a community park in andasibe.

You’ll never forget your first lemur encounter. I mean, just look at that face!

Within minutes of setting out on the rainforest trail with Leva, our local guide at V.O.I.M.M.A. Community Park , a family of brown lemurs appeared in the tree branches above us. As we quieted down, they approached us, almost to eye level. Then, they were up and off again, leaping amongst the high branches.

A note on V.O.I.M.M.A and Community Parks in Madagascar: The initials stand for “Vondron’olona Ifotony Mitia sy Miaro ny Ala”, meaning “Local people love the forest.” It’s a fitting name for the park, a community-driven conservation and sustainable tourism program launched in 2012 by 4,000 villagers living near the Andasibe-Perinet National Park area.

The goal of the local community: to work together to protect what rainforest remained, using proceeds from park fees and walks to fund guide training, continued reforestation, and efforts to provide more space and protection for lemurs and other endemic wildlife. About half the money generated through tourism activities goes to fund medical care, clean water and other life improvement initiatives for villagers in the area.

A network of community parks, operating outside the national park system, exists throughout Madagascar. These local parks serve as an excellent example of how community-based conservation and care can work when paired with the power of increased income generation and life improvement initiatives funded by tourism activities. This not only engages local people as part of the conservation process, but it also provides them with an income source alternative to hunting, poaching, and wood harvesting. Meanwhile, pressure on the environment and local wildlife is slowly reduced.

READ MORE : How Your Travels in Madagascar Can Support Conservation and Communities

2. Admire the largest and smallest chameleons in the world

It’s hard to have an encounter with a Parsons Chameleon — considered the largest chameleon species in the world by weight — and not emerge with a grin.

Look at the nose, the tail, the eyes, the color. These and other endemic species unique to Madagascar will make you wonder, “Why?” “How?” “Here?” Mother Nature certainly had fun with this one.

For some contrast, narrow your eyes and squint if you must, and take a look at the 3-4mm long Madagascar dwarf chameleon, Brookesia minima. Note that it was recently usurped by the slightly smaller Brookesia micra. How local guides are able to zero in on these tiny creatures in midst of the lush forest amazes.

3. Listen to the call of the indri at Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

The indri (also known locally as babakoto ), found only in this region of Madagascar, are the largest of all lemurs, and are considered the freedom fighters of the species. When placed in captivity, the indri essentially go on a hunger strike, starving themselves until they are released back into the wild. While admirable, this indri behavior makes it difficult for scientists to conduct research and all but impossible to increase indri populations through captive breeding.

The unique appearance of the indri is only outdone by their call. The rainforest canopy echoes with an eerie, dolphin-like sound the indri use to communicate with other members of their family (typically between 2 and 6 members) and with other families to mark territory and signal danger. As you walk Andasibe-Mantadia National Park with your guide, you’ll follow the call of the indri to find them.

When we eventually found “our” indris in the high trees, we were treated to an extended chorus between a male and female. Between the ambient sounds of the rainforest and the calls of the indri, we felt as though we were in our very own episode of Wild Kingdom. A beautiful, long moment to enjoy.

Numbering in the thousands, the indri are still considered a critically endangered species (sadly, as are most lemur species ). However, our guide explained that indri populations have increased in recent years. Due to tourism, conservation and educational efforts, the local practice of hunting them for their meat has abated. The results of reforestation efforts also continue to provide them with additional range to expand their habitat. The challenge is ongoing.

4. Crash a party of Sifaka Lemurs

The sifaka, known as the dancing lemur, is another fun, social species of lemur that you’ll find in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. Though we encountered multiple diademed sifaka families (usually 9-10 strong), one family in particular rewarded our group for being patient, silent and still.

They entertained us high in the branches, putting on an elaborate grooming show, and paying a visit to us near ground level. When they’d had enough of the human encounter, they leapt back up into the rainforest canopy to continue their morning escapades of movement, tree-to-tree.

I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that it really wasn't a party, but rather a conspiracy, of lemurs. This is now one of my favorite collective nouns.

5. Tuck into zebu , ravitoto and traditional Malagasy Madagascar cuisine

When in Madagascar, eat as the Malagasy eat. If you eat meat, you’ll find yourself in good stead. Zebu, the meat of the local variety of cow is everywhere, and is generally quite good. If you find it, try zebu filet or steak served with mustard sauce or zebu au poivre (pepper sauce), both of which are quite tasty.

Or try romazava , the over-the-top national dish of varied meats turned in a sauce of tomato, garlic, ginger and stewed greens. Another local favorite is ravitoto , mashed cassava leaves. This is often turned with coconut and spices for vegetarians. Meat-eaters, try the ravitoto with pork, which offers a little bit of richness and balance.

READ MORE : Madagascar Food: A Culinary Travel Guide

6. Walk through Andasibe town for a glimpse of local life

The town of Andasibe, just outside the nearby national and community parks bearing its name, is a walk through everyday Madagascar. You'll find stalls selling a random assortment of vegetables and foodstuffs, mothers drawing water from the pump, two-story homes with colorful balconies, a football pitch filled with boys playing a game of pick-up soccer, rice and agricultural fields in all stages of cultivation, and non-proverbial chickens crossing the road.

Bonus: Find the young boy who fashioned a foosball table from scrap pieces of wood. So cool, and it actually works surprisingly well.

7. Visit the Anziru weekly market

Weekly markets are a main event, no exception in Madagascar. Many local schools even take that day off so children can join their parents on market day. The weekly market is not only about buying and selling food and goods. It performs an important social function, too.

Weekly markets are about catching up on local news and seeing friends and family from nearby villages. If you’re single, they offer the opportunity to check out who’s available and in search of a mate.

Finally, they’re also places where you can enjoy a shot of local home-brewed rum with a side of crayfish to chase it down. And if gambling is your vice, try your hand at cards or at the hand-carved roulette wheels.

8. Make a Circular Economy purchase at the artisan workshops in Antsirabe

When we consider recycling, our minds run to putting recyclable trash into a bin for someone to carry it away, for it never to be seen again. In Madagascar, recycling means taking the used, broken, and out-of-date and finding a way to make something new from it all.

In the town of Antsirabe, a group of artisans and craftspeople collect metal from around the country, melt it down, and create the standard cooking pot that most in Madagascar seem to use. To be honest, the old-school technology doesn’t look particularly healthy for the those working. However, it’s remarkable how quickly this workshop can transform a pile of old metal junk into hot liquid and in seconds turn that liquid into a pot to cook that evening’s meal.

Another of our favorite artisans in town is an engineer turned bicycle enthusiast who found ways to recycle old bits, including fashioning fishing wire from old nets and re-purposing the metal and plastic from expired medical supplies into very cool hand-crafted model bicycles.

9. Fix your broken heart with a visit to a local Shaman

Even if your heart is not broken, it’s still worth visiting the local shaman, or healer. We paid a visit to one on the morning of our village homestay experience.

After a climb up a wooden ladder staircase to the village consultation room, we learned about traditional and natural medicines and how they are used to treat different ailments, both physical and emotional. Services include mending a broken heart, whether it be from unrequited love or a relationship forced to split because of parents.

The forests of Madagascar are flush with endemic trees and plants used over the centuries for medicinal purposes. This knowledge has been passed on from one generation of shaman to the next, usually within the family. As it was explained to us: you don’t really choose to be a shaman; the vocation chooses you.

10. Walk the terraced rice fields en route to Fiadanana village and stay the night

One of the big surprises for us in Madagascar: artfully terraced rice fields in the country’s highlands. Everywhere you go in the hills, you’ll find the terraces and cascaded pools of highland rice cultivation similar to what you might see in Southeast Asia and China. Why? The technique and approach of rice cultivation arrived with the island’s first inhabitants from Austronesia (Malaysia and Indonesia) almost two thousand years ago. Terracing took hold in the 1600s, and it’s still in use today.

After seeing terraced rice fields along our ride across the highlands of eastern Madagascar, it was worthwhile to see them up close during our 1.5 hour walk to the village homestay where we’d spend the night.

11. Get a taste of village life at a community homestay in Fiadanana

After a home-cooked and delicious lunch (many considered it the best meal in the country), our local guide also took us on a walk to the village, through and along the edges of the fields. There, we witnessed daily life: farmers carefully planting new seeds, zebu-drawn plows turning over the soil for the next planting, and villagers stepping through the stillness of their everyday, yet beautiful, landscape.

After which, we returned for citronella tea and pumpkin beignets (fritters) with a beautiful view of the terraced fields below.

Our host, Arc-en-Ciel (Rainbow) Community Association uses the money earned from tour fees (for an overnight visit, including meals) to help provide job opportunities, sponsor school fees in primary and secondary schools, improve infrastructure, and fund environmental education and activities. The organization’s founder, Yavansu, grew up in the village and returned five years ago with the goal of using sustainable tourism to benefit his community.

As fun as it is to wander and say hello to people, it’s even better with a local host who shares stories and context. It also helps to feel some connection along with a welcome from local people who are involved in the project and know that the money from the experience is being used for the improvement of their community and education of their children.

READ MORE : How to Use Social Enterprises to Improve Your Travels…and Make a Difference

12. Join the community in a bonfire dance

We admit, we are skeptical of singing and dancing “shows,” especially when people get dressed up in traditional outfits and drag tourists into it all in a way that can feel a bit forced. That’s where the Arc-en-Ciel community homestay bonfire music jam broke the mold.

A few local musicians showed up, kids gathered and dance-jumped around, a bonfire burned brightly. Before long, more people from the village appeared to see what was going on. Staff from the homestay kitchen came out during their breaks, and the beats grew faster and louder. Yes, there was dancing, laughter and fun. None of it was forced, it all felt natural. Nobody put on a show, except maybe for themselves.

That is, everyone had fun. Locals, too.

Bonus: Watch a World Cup game on a generator-powered TV If your visit happens to coincide with the World Cup or another football tournament, ask your host if anyone in the village is showing the game. Since the village has no electricity, televisions are powered by generators. For us, we climbed up through several terraced rice fields to watch the World Cup Semi-final game between England and Croatia in the back courtyard of a local home.

Sure, the generator ran out of diesel fuel before the end of the game. That just added to the experience and built suspense to know the result the following day.

13. Trek lush rainforest and find the elusive golden bamboo lemurs at Ranomafana National Park

When it comes to tracking lemurs and other wildlife in the rainforest, prepare to get dirty, particularly when the skies open up at Ranomafana National Park. Yes, you feel a bit like a crazed biologist pulling yourself up the hills through brush and vines, craning your head up to catch a glimpse of the golden bamboo lemurs above.

Then, after the frenzy of finding one comes the silence and stillness of observing and admiring these rare, tiny creatures above you. Less than 500 of them remain.

It’s worth the effort, the mud, and the sweat. In fact, that’s all part of the experience.

14. Surround yourself with playful ring-tail lemurs at Anja Community Park

It’s hard not to visit Madagascar without keeping fresh in mind an image of King Julien, the dancing ring-tail lemur from the movie Madagascar. Turns out ring-tail lemurs really are as playful and fun as the movie lets on. Especially so at Anja Community Park.

Within just ten or fifteen minutes of our group entering the forest area of the park, we were surrounded by a ring-tail lemur family. Just five minutes away, another. They jumped around on the ground, hung out on rocks, groomed themselves on branches, chased each other across the trees, and just seemed to enjoy themselves.

We all enjoyed them, too. If it were up to our group, we might have stayed there all day.

Turns out that when Anja Community Park began in 1999 there were only 20 lemurs living in this patch of small forest. In less than 20 years, the community-led conservation efforts have expanded the size of the forest through yearly tree-planting campaigns and continued education of local people in the benefits of conservation and the economic potential of sustainable tourism. Lemur hunting has been eliminated. Their population in the park has grown to over 400 as their habitat has grown and the imminent threat to their existence has abated.

Around 600 local people are involved in the community park and earn additional income from its various tourism activities. Profits from park tour fees are now being used to construct a secondary school and local hospital. As tourism grows, so too do the other ways the community can direct its own investment and improvement.

15. Take advantage of an impromptu roadside repair stop to stock up on sweet papayas

One never wishes to hear a strange noise coming from one’s transport. It does happen from time to time, though. It’s a pleasant surprise when the repair stop happens right next to a tiny village featuring a roadside papaya stand.

As our group exited our van for a stretch, the local people sitting nearby wondered, not knowing what to make of all the foreigners descending on their little papaya stand. We began by buying one. Our guide and we sliced it and passed it around as an afternoon snack, including to one of our group who’d never before tasted a papaya! Then we bought another, passing around some more slices. Finally, we bought a couple more to take with us on the bus.

Not only were these the sweetest papayas of our trip, but everyone – travelers and locals alike — got a good laugh from the scene. Because of the setting and circumstances, and perhaps the turn of opportunity from temporary misfortune, everyone came away from our unplanned stop pleased with the unexpected yet authentic turn of events.

It was memorable for sure, and as real an experience as one might imagine on the roads of Madagascar.

16. Explore the canyons and sandstone cliffs of Isalo National Park

Madagascar’s environmental diversity shows itself across the country, but also in pockets, as it does at Isalo National Park where arid deserts yield to waterfall-draped oases via river-carved canyon paths. Our local guide, Hery, pointed out medicinal trees, elephant foot plants, wild silk worms, and fabulously camouflaged chameleons and stick bugs. He also shared stories about the local Bara tribe and their unique traditions which have been shaped by the area’s geology and landscape.

Unsurprisingly, our Isalo National Park day trek turned out to be one of our group’s favorites of the trip.

17. Take a dip in an oasis waterfall (or 2 or 3)

We admit to having a conflicted relationship with waterfalls, their often being oversold. However, the waterfalls you’ll encounter along the walk in Isalo National Park are well-placed, and worth a shot and a dip. The lush green surroundings also provide a nice break from the sun and heat.

18. Enjoy a sundowner, Madagascar style. And plant a tree…or five

At the end of our day at Isalo National Park, our tour leader told us we were in for a surprise. We walked up onto a nearby hill where we met with Delana, cofounder of Soa Zara Association , a local NGO and Planterra Foundation partner working on environmental protection and reforestation in the area. Over the last year, each G Adventures group ends their day at Isalo by planting 150-200 trees on a plot of land with a sprawling view to a table plateau and the sunset west.

Considering that a group visits each week between April and November, that’s a lot of trees in just one year. The goal: in 10 years, the once empty arid patch will become the makings of a forest once again, giving the nearby lemurs and wildlife more room to grow and expand their habitat.

Then, we walked to an overlook and enjoyed a celebratory drink watching the sunset over the Isalo mountains. Now, that’s a proper sundowner.

READ MORE : 20 Sustainable Travel Tips: How to be a Good Global Traveler

19. Hug an ancient baobab tree at Reniala Spiny Forest Reserve

Although the baobab trees of Baobab Avenue in western Madagascar get the most attention, the south also features its fair share of baobab caches. The Reniala Spiny Forest Reserve is one such area featuring a cluster of baobabs of all sizes, shapes and ages. Our group’s favorite of the baobab bunch was this bulbous baobab, estimated at over 1,000 years old (baobabs only grow 12mm each year).

As is the case with other community parks, Reniala Spiny Forest Reserve operates with local people serving as guides and spotters. A portion of the tour fees is used to fund conservation projects in the community and to help protect these ancient trees and their habitat.

20. Take a ride in a Bollywood-style Zebu cart

Get to the baobab forest by local transport, a zebu-drawn cart. If you’re really lucky, your zebu cart may also be adorned with Bollywood-style art and imagery.

Admittedly, your bottom may suffer a bit for the bounce, but the experience is one you’ll likely never forget.

21. Kick back at Mangily Beach, Ifaty

After your head is full of all the interactions, imagery and impressions of a busy trip through eastern and southern Madagascar, a couple of days at the beach makes for an ideal way to relax and wind down. While snorkeling, surfing, scuba diving, whale watching (seasonal) and other activities are on offer, we took a more laid-back approach and simply chilled out.

Our ideal mix of relaxation included sleeping in, relaxing by the pool or on the beach, taking an occasional dip (the water is a little chilly in the Austral winter), reading a book or two, playing a round of boules/petanque, gazing out on the horizon at sunset, and feasting on seafood. It was hard to leave our beach-side Bamboo Club bungalow after only a couple of days.

22. Get your lobster and seafood fix

If anything like lobster, squid, octopus, prawns or fish is your taste, the restaurants along the beach in Ifaty will have you covered and well-fed. Nothing fresher than this. And it’s hard to beat a touch of the grill to draw out the flavor.

There are a number of restaurants along the beach, as well as pop-up style lobster roasts run by locals. Among our favorites was Chez Cecile , for its copious breakfast, very good coffee and a long, drifting lunch of barbecued lobster served with a nicely chilled white wine.

Along your way to Ifaty and the southern beaches, you might travel through the bustling city of Toliara. If you do, be sure to drop in on Le Jardin de Giancarlo , a decades-old restaurant run by an Italian character who got lost in Madagascar decades ago. Mixed seafood plates (less than $10) are excellent and abundant enough for two to share. Vegetarians in Madagascar will also be delighted by the fresh vegetable-loaded pasta dishes and fresh ravioli.

23. Take in the diversity of Madagascar fruits, vegetables, and spices at Analakely Market in Antananarivo

Analakely Market in Madagascar’s capital city Antananarivo shows off the agricultural richness and diversity of the country. Tables are stacked high with vegetables and fruits, baskets overflow with beans and rice, and piles topple with black pepper, cloves, and chili peppers. Some of it you may recognize, much of it you may not. It’s a colorful island nation feast.

We can highly recommend picking up some Madagascar whole black pepper to use at home or to give as gifts. It has a sort of nutmeg flavoring to it that it rich and unique. Our foodie friends loved it as their Christmas gift.

The streets around the market are busy and bustling, but don’t let that scare you away. The alleys and lanes of fruits and vegetables are out in the open and pleasantly calm in comparison. They are also pretty much hassle-free.

24. Treat yourself to Madagascar-French cuisine.

Fancy yourself some foie gras? Maybe some magret de canard? Duck confit? Don’t be surprised to find French restaurants, specialties of French cuisine and even French-inspired Madagascar fusion cuisine. Madagascar was a French colony until 1960, and the French clearly left their mark.

There are a number of restaurants in the capital city of Antananarivo focused on French cuisine. We dropped into Sakamanga , an upscale yet reasonably-priced restaurant serving Malagasy and French dishes. If you're winding up your time in Madagascar, are looking for a nice, relaxing bite to eat and to taste a dish you’d missed out on during your travels across Madagascar, give it a look.

25. Dance with the dead and other unique Malagasy cultural traditions

One of the more unique cultural facets that we've come across in our travels is that of exhumation ceremonies in Madagascar. Malagasy people have a strong connection to their ancestors, believing that they represent a spiritual middle ground between earth and God, very far above. Many of Madagascar's 18 ethnic groups practice some sort of exhumation ceremony to celebrate their ancestors and create a connection between the generations.

Usually practiced every three, five or seven years (it depends on how much money a family has) an exhumation ceremony will bring family members from throughout the country together to the family tomb. Tombs are sacred places as they hold the remains of several generations collectively in one location.

During the exhumation ceremony, the stone tomb is opened and skeleton bodies are wrapped in new silk fabric and papyrus mats. A party ensues outside the tomb as everyone gathers together, eats a big feast, drinks rum, plays music and eventually dances with their ancestors by embracing the skeleton's silk wrap.

As our tour leader explained, being able to dance with a deceased great-grandparent is a way for families to keep alive the connection between generations. While dancing with dead relatives may sound strange to many of us, I understand it as a means to sustaining family identity and belonging, and cultivating a relationship with death.

A cultural tradition that I didn't quite connect with as much with was that of the male circumcision ceremony, conducted when a boy is 1-5 years old. The paternal grandfather spills some of the blood and foreskin from the circumcision atop a banana and consumes it to demonstrate his acceptance of his grandson.

For the Bara tribe near Isalo National Park, their tradition is to shoot the foreskin into the air…perhaps to set it free?

This is only the beginning of the fascinating traditions of the ethnic and cultural mixing bowl that is Madagascar. We were fortunate to have tour leader in Jose who was not only knowledgeable about all these ceremonies and traditions, but welcomed our curiosity and fielded our many questions.

Traveling Independently to Madagascar vs. Taking a Madagascar Tour

Of course, it's possible to travel Madagascar independently. However, it isn't always the easiest in terms of transportation, logistics and available information. We researched this in advance as we determined whether to travel independently in Madagascar or choose to take the Highlights of Madagascar tour with G Adventures.

After traveling through Madagascar and witnessing a variety of travel options and styles, we're happy with our decision to take the G Adventures tour. The reasons are many, but the main ones include the fact that the tour's itinerary included activities we would not have been able to arrange on our own, logistical support, and comfortable and reliable transportation (distances are vast in Madagascar). Most importantly, our high-quality local G Adventures CEO (guide), Jose, made all the difference in our understanding Madagascar in all of its complexity.

If you choose to travel independently, there is public transport around the country via minibuses. However, be prepared for these buses to be stuffed. The other option is to hire a private driver and car to take you around (going rate is €50-€100/day we hear). Obviously, if you can share the car with other travelers this will reduce your travel costs. Air Madagascar also flies domestic flights, which is a good option if you've got long distances to cover. Domestic flight tickets are not particularly cheap, however.

As you'll see below there's a range of accommodation around the country, so you'll likely always be able to find a place to spend the night. Here are more tips on traveling Madagascar independently .

When to Visit Madagascar

April to November is considered tourist season in Madagascar, with July to October as the high season. The rainy season is December to March. This time can be wet and also incredibly hot in some areas.

Our visit in July coincided with winter in Madagascar. It was surprisingly cold (e.g., down to 45 F at night in the eastern highlands). Be sure to pack several layers of shirts, fleece jackets, and rain gear if you visit during this time. That said, we enjoyed traveling at this time as the temperature was comfortable during the day and insects and mosquitos were much less than they'd otherwise be during hot season.

If your focus is strictly lemur tracking, consider visiting Madagascar in October-November. During this time, many of the lemur species give birth to their babies. They also apparently spend more time lower to the ground, rather than tucked into the canopies. That said, our experiences and images show plenty of lemur encounters in winter.

Madagascar Visas

It's easy to purchase a 30-day tourist visa upon arrival at Antananarivo Airport. At the time of our visit in July 2018 the cost was $37 or €35. Although we were not asked for a copy of our return flight from Madagascar, it's good to have this on hand as we hear that sometimes immigration officials ask for it.

In addition to the visa and immigration form you'll need to fill out a health form. If you arrive from a country where yellow fever is prevalent, officials will check your Yellow Card to be sure you have a valid Yellow Fever vaccination.

Flights to Madagascar

Members of our group came from Europe, North America and Australia. Since we flew to Madagascar from Berlin, Germany the easiest (and cheapest) connection was on Turkish Airlines. We also heard good things about connections from Norway and other parts of Germany via Ethiopian Airlines. Americans and Canadians in the group flew Air France, since it seemed to offer the best connections.

If you're already traveling in Africa at the time, Kenyan Airlines, South African Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines seem to offer the best flights to Madagascar from the continent.

You can check the best flights to Madagascar (Antananarivo Airport – TNR) using Skyscanner (it also includes all low cost airlines) or Expedia (usually a 24-hour cancellation period).

Accommodation in Madagascar

Although our accommodation was included along the trip, we can recommend the following hotels and lodges throughout the country for accommodation that is clean, has hot water, and is mid-budget (e.g., $20-$50/night). These aren't the cheapest accommodations options (hostels or very basic guesthouses), nor are they the most expensive lodges and hotels.

Here's where we stayed in Madagascar:

• Antanarivo: Chalet des Roses Hotel . Nice rooms and good location. Easy to walk down to the main square, old train station, and main market. In the other direction the hotel is close to Jardin Antaninarenina with a nice overlook over the city (especially nice at sunset) and good restaurants and cafes.
• Andasibe: Feon'ny Ala Hotel . Sleep in your own little hut not far from Andasibe-Mantadia National Park and V.O.I.M.M.A. Community Park .
• Antsirabe: Hotel Hasina . An OK hotel that serves as a quick overnight.
• Ranomafana : Manja Hotel . Nice collection of bungalows close to Ranomafana National Park with a good view over the river.
• Ambalavao: Aux Bougainvillees Hotel . A simple hotel that serves as a good overnight en route to Anja Community Park.
• Ranohira: ITC Lodge . Nice, clean bungalows close to Isalo National Park. Good restaurant as well. The lodge owners started Soa Zara NGO that works on reforestation projects in the area and there is a tree nursery on the grounds.
• Ifaty: Bamboo Club at Mangily Beach . Pleasant bungalows with a beachside pool and restaurants. A great place to relax and come down after a full tour around Madagascar.

All of these hotels and lodges also have restaurants. Be aware, it's customary for breakfast NOT to be included in the price of the room. So you'll need to budget for it and order it separately each morning for about $3-$5.

If you are extending your stay in Antananarivo after your tour and looking for a way to relax and wind down, perhaps with a massage or spa treatment before departing Madagascar, reliable sources recommend Le Relais des Plateaux close to the airport.

Safety in Madagascar

We felt very safe during our tour and we never had any safety issues. However, it's always best travel safety practice to stay aware of your surroundings, keep valuables locked away (e.g., like your passport ), and be mindful of cameras, smartphones and other expensive gear when you're walking around. This is especially true in Antananarivo, the capital city, and particularly at night.

You may notice safety warnings for Madagascar from time to time, especially around elections and political events where there may be demonstrations or protests. These are usually held in the bigger cities are are not geared towards travelers. However, it's still wise to steer clear of them all the same.

Health Considerations for Madagascar

Before traveling to Madagascar consult a travel clinic and research recommended vaccinations and malaria medicines . Many of the standard vaccinations for tropical countries are recommended: hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tetanus, MMR. Although yellow fever is not present in Madagascar, you will be required to show proof of a yellow fever vaccination if you are traveling from another country that does have yellow fever.

Although we were traveling in the winter months when malaria is not as prevalent we still decided to take anti-malarial medicine to be on the safe side (mosquitos love Dan). We took Doxycycline (be extra careful with sun as your skin becomes more sensitive) while others in our group took Malarone. Consult your doctor as to what works best for you.

Money in Madagascar

Expect to pay for everything in local currency called the Malagasy Ariary (MGA). It's around 3,750 MGA/€1 or 3,300 MGA/$1. We used ATM machines at the Antananarivo airport and in the bigger cities and towns around the country to get local money and we never had a problem. Visa ATM cards seem to be more accepted than Mastercard. We also brought cash (Euros and USD) with us as an emergency in case the ATMs were broken and we had to exchange money.

We've been told that the best rates for exchanging cash are at the Antananarivo airport so if you do need to exchange your euros or dollars that's the best place to do that. Otherwise, banks around the country also offer currency exchange.

Disclosure: Our Highlights of Madagascar tour was provided to us by G Adventures as part of our partnership under the Wanderers program. Check out this article for all the different G Adventures tours we've taken and recommend . As always, the thoughts contained herein — the what, the why, and the how — are entirely our own.

About Audrey Scott

6 thoughts on “madagascar travel: 25 experiences to get you started”.

I always wanted to travel to Madagascar for its wildlife! There’s a lot of exotic animals and incredible landscape, and also pretty beaches to relax to… Unfortunately I’ve been quite warned by some people about safety issues for tourists in some parts of the island. But I’m glad to see everything went well during your trip!

Yes, Madagascar does have quite a mix of experiences and landscapes to enjoy. As for safety, we did not have any issues and we didn’t meet others who had safety problems. However, it is always important to stay aware of your surroundings, especially in cities. And, to be careful walking around Antananarivo, the capital city, at night. While it’s good to check government travel safety warnings, it’s also wise to do additional research with locals to find out a more accurate situation. More on how to do that here: https://uncorneredmarket.com/danger-map-world-fear-awareness/

Thank you so much for sharing very helpful information. Could you please provide some information on the fees for exchanging US dollars that the TNR airport? Also, any suggestion on tipping? My husband and I will be in Madagascar for 16 days in June. We wanted to go with organized group tours, but none of the dates work. We ended up booking our independent tour with a UK travel company. There will be a guide with us the whole time and different drivers depending on where we go. We did not realize that the UK travel company sub-contracts our tour to a South Africa company who makes the arrangement with the local guide/drivers in Madagascar. We have no idea how much our guide/drivers will be paid. We would like to tip our guide and drivers for their service at an appropriate level, but we also do not want to break our bank given how much we have to pay for the tour already. Would you give some advice on tipping? Many thanks!

Nicola, great to hear that you and your husband are headed soon to Madagascar! I’m sorry it didn’t work with your schedule to go with an organized group tour, but I’m sure you will still have a great experience.

As for fees for exchanging US dollars at TNR airport, I’m afraid I don’t know this exactly as we chose to get local money out at the airport by ATM. We usually do this as this avoids exchange office fees and unfavorable exchange rates. We have heard, however, that the exchange rates at the airport are usually better than at banks so I imagine the fees will be low if you choose to do this.

Regarding tipping, this is obviously a personal choice and is based on the quality of service you receive as well. The guidelines our group used was $2/day for drivers, $25/week for the guide, $1-3 for a local guide (e.g., national park ranger or community guide), and around 10% at restaurants. Hope this helps and fits with your experience and trip!

Thank you so much for your helpful information, Audrey! We are looking forward to our trip to Madagascar. Greatly appreciate you and Daniel sharing super helpful info in this blog. Really enjoy it!

Thanks, Nicola. Glad to hear it. Hoping this proves useful for your travels in Madagascar!

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• Our Unique Itinerary Maximizes Your Time in Nature Compare itineraries carefully: on more typical tours, you may lose several days crossing the country on long drives, or your travels may be confined to fewer regions. With us, you’ll spend more time in distinctly varied wild places, rather than traveling great distances between them. By including chartered flights, we avoid long, tiring days on rough roads, and we access a greater range of rarely visited areas.
• A Very Small Group (10 Max) Ensures Intimate Wildlife Encounters The best wildlife experiences are always more likely to occur in the presence of fewer people. We explore Madagascar with no more than 10 travelers—likely the smallest group you'll find—ensuring a quieter, more wondrous experience in nature. 
• Chartered Flights are Key to a Superlative Experience  When other companies include flights, they typically use the national carrier, Air Madagascar, with a terrible track record for delays and cancellations. Travelers on Air Madagascar can often wait a full day or more in airports, or be re-routed in a manner requiring a 24-hour drive on very poor dirt roads. To be certain we don’t waste valuable time for wildlife viewing, we have arranged our own private chartered flights. This is a costly commitment, but it ensures we get where we want to be in a convenient and timely manner, so you don't lose out due to airline caprices.
• Travel in the Company of a Top Expedition Leader, Plus Expert Local Guides Compare the quality of guides and guest-to-guide ratio: You'll travel with a top Expedition Leader plus a seasoned local guide who knows the country like none other. Our Expedition Leader provides expert tour management and the integrated perspective of a professional naturalist, while our Malagasy guide adds in-depth local knowledge, helping to maximize the variety of wildlife you’ll see. We're also joined by regional park guides in several places, who add even more depth and expertise. Our Expedition Leaders also get exclusive training and resources from WWF scientists—a Nat Hab exclusive! See Expedition Leader bios and traveler comments regarding the quality of our leaders.
• We Tailor Activities to Varied Physical Abilities We often divide our groups on hikes in order to accommodate different physical capacities. Since we explore with a complement of guides, from our own Expedition Leader and in-country partner to various local guides in the parks we visit, we're able to split up based on physical challenge, ensuring you won't feel let down or frustrated when other travelers' abilities may not match yours (though all guests must be able to meet our minimum physical requirements for this trip).
• Unique Accommodations Close to Nature—Including Anjajavy Lodge We emphasize secluded lodging on private reserves and/or close to protected national parks. From bungalows tucked in the rain forest to your own eco-villa on a nature reserve accessible only by private airstrip, our focus is on intimate natural settings. Anjajavy Lodge is a special highlight: Madagascar's only Relais & Chateaux property, its guests have access to more than 17,000 acres on a private reserve containing 1,800 floral species and a multitude of rare wildlife. At Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, our stay on a private estate near the park includes a visit to its small lemur preserve, where we get very close to Madagascar’s famous icons.
• Explore a Biodiversity Hotspot Before the Rest of the World Gets There Nat Hab is one of few tour operators offering naturalist-guided trips to this distinctive destination. And our itinerary is as diverse and uncommon as Madagascar itself. We explore dense highland rain forest, moss- and lichen-laden cloud forest, and arid sandstone canyons. On the Indian Ocean coast, search for rare frogs and geckos on night walks, spot several varieties of endangered lemurs in forests, and scan coastlines for pods of dolphins and migrating whales. With Nat Hab and WWF working together to create this unique itinerary, you won’t find a more comprehensive nature adventure.
• Be Part of a Conservation Success Story It's not an exaggeration to say that without our presence, and that of other eco-conscious travelers, most of Madagascar's remaining wild habitat would be gone. By demonstrating the economic value of nature tourism, bringing visitors to observe the intriguing species found in Madagascar's remarkably biodiverse forests, we show local communities the value of protecting their wild surroundings. Conservation travel is imperative to the future of nature in Madagascar. And when you travel with us, you're central to that mission.
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Massive, hilly Madagascar—the fourth-largest island in the world—is home to plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth.

Slightly smaller than the state of Texas , Madagascar is located approximately 250 miles (402 kilometers) east of Mozambique, a country along the southeast coast of Africa. Madagascar is surrounded by the Indian Ocean on all sides except for its western border, which lies along the Mozambique Channel. In addition to Mozambique, its closet neighbors are the Comoros Islands and the islands of Réunion and Mauritius.

Madagascar’s capital city, Antananarivo, sits in the center of the island. Hills and mountains cover much of the middle of the island. At 9,435 feet (2,876 meters), Mount Maromokotro is the country’s highest mountain.

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Most of the country’s population lives on the eastern half of the island, but many people also live in the central highlands, near the capital city of Antananarivo. Most Malagasy live in rural areas, where their daily life revolves around agriculture. A lot of them are farmers, producing rice, coffee, and other products.

Madagascar has a youthful population, with over 60 percent of its residents under the age of 25. Music is an important part of Malagasy culture. Villages often hold parties in which locals can dance or play music with things like the valiha, a guitar-like instrument considered to be the national instrument of Madagascar.

The island’s cuisine has been influenced by the countries surrounding it, with Southeast Asian and African ingredients found in most dishes. The most commonly served Malagasy meal is a base of rice, called vary , served with one other ingredient of the diner’s choice, called laoka . The laoka can be a vegetable or meat item, and is typically covered in sauce flavored with ginger, onion, garlic, and spices or herbs.

Almost 90 percent of the plants and animals living on Madagascar aren’t found anywhere else in the world. That’s because strong ocean currents have isolated the island from the African continent, so the species living there haven’t traveled beyond the island’s borders.

Lush rainforests , dry deserts , and grassy plains cover the island, with coral reef and mangrove forests stretching along its coastlines. Madagascar’s most famous animal species, lemurs , live only in Madagascar and can be found in almost every habitat on the island. Silky sifakas, a type of lemur and one of the rarest mammals on Earth, can be found in the rainforests, along with giant leaf-tailed geckos and nocturnal aye-ayes . Spider tortoises and Dumeril's boas live in the deserts, and Madagascan plovers can be spotted flying over the island’s central plains. Humpback whales and pygmy blue whales have been spotted along the island’s coasts.

The species thought to be most representative of the island (other than lemurs) is the baobab tree, the national tree of Madagascar. The thick, straight trunk of the tree swells into the shape of a bottle as it collects rainwater.

Deforestation and poaching, or the illegal killing of animals, threaten much of Madagascar’s habitat and wildlife. Many trees are harvested for firewood, and the loss of forest reduces where Madagascar’s animals can live. And since many of the island’s animals are so rare, they’re highly prized by poachers.

Madagascar is a semi-presidential republic. The public elects a president, who in turn appoints a prime minister to put together a cabinet to advise the president. Madagascar’s constitution, which was written in 1992, established independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The prime minister is in charge of the legislative and judicial branches, and creates and executes laws. The president formally represents Madagascar at ceremonies around the world.

Eighty percent of Madagascar’s economy is fueled by agricultural industries, including forestry and fishing. Among the island’s most frequently sold agricultural products are coffee, vanilla, and sugarcane.

Humans have lived in Madagascar only for about 1,300 years. The first settlers on the island are believed to have arrived from Indonesia in Southeast Asia. For centuries, many small kingdoms ruled different areas of the island.

France invaded the island in 1883. After more than a decade of resistance from the island’s kingdoms, the country officially declared Madagascar a French colony in 1896 and broke up the competing kingdoms.

After World War II, in 1947, locals fought for their independence from France in what became known as the Malagasy Uprising. In 1960, Madagascar finally became an independent nation.

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Madagascar is, above all, a nature destination. While there are certainly interesting man-made facets of the country — including colonial towns, native crafts, and sleepy coastal villages — Madagascar is an eco-traveller's dream. From endless jungles filled with endemic plants, rare birds, and endangered animals, to the white-sand beaches of the Malagasy islands and limestone karst formations of Ankarana, the island is an explosion of nature at each turn. Cut off from the African mainland 165 million years ago, Madagascar evolved in isolation, leading to many unique and endemic species. The hands-down superstars of this wild performance are the endangered lemur, of which 90 percent of the surviving global population is found only here.

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