A Travel Guide to Madagascar

Useful tips for a holiday in Madagascar; from sights to travel formalities

If you are a traveler who enjoys both adventure and relaxation, Madagascar is for you! Here you will find different landscapes and animal species, including the Lemur, symbol of Madagascar, but also turtles, sharks, mongooses and much more.

Located in Africa, the vastness of this country offers a multitude of different landscapes: from rainforests to sandstone canyons, from mountains and fertile hills to long idyllic beaches with turquoise water.

Are you planning a holiday in Madagascar and don't know where to start? In this article we tell you the best times to go and what the places to see in Madagascar are, so you can plan your vacation in Madagascar safely and without surprises.

General Information about Madagascar

Madagascar, with its capital Antananarivo, is an island nation that is part of the African continent and is located in the Indian Ocean near countries such as Kenya and Tanzania on the east coast of Africa.

This beautiful (island) country consists of smaller islands and a large island. The large island is even one of the 4 largest in the world! Only Greenland, New Guinea and Borneo are larger.

Form of government : Republic
Head of State : President Andry Rajoelina
Capital : Antananarivo
Number of inhabitants : 26.9 million
Total area : 587,041 km²
Currency : Ariary
Official national languages : French and Merina (Malagasy)
Religion : Folk beliefs and Christianity
Country code : +261

Madagascar: Best Time to Travel

Answering this question can be a bit tricky if you go to Madagascar as the climate can vary from region to region. The Madagascar climate is strongly influenced by the topography and altitudes of the country and therefore the best time to travel to Madagascar can vary.

Located in the tropics and the Indian Ocean, this country has a tropical climate with heavy rainfall and strong cyclones during the summer months from November to February. So the best time to visit Madagascar is in the months of April to October when the climate becomes more temperate, with warm days and mild nights.

Madagascar: Climate and Seasons

During the months of April to November, the climate is mostly dry and temperate with maximum temperatures of 28°C and minimums of 15°C. You could therefore see this as the best months for a Madagascar holiday.

April and May

After the rainy seasons from January to March, April and May in Madagascar bring some sunshine again. While there may still be occasional thunderstorms, these are the months that kick off the tourist season. For a longer trip, for example if you want to backpack Madagascar, these are great starting moments.

April and May are excellent months for those who want to enjoy beautiful green landscapes and great wildlife on their Madagascar holiday without encountering large crowds of tourists. Parks such as Andasibe and Berenty reopen every year, bigger and more luxurious than ever.

We also recommend that you visit Nosy Be , an island northwest of the coast of Madagascar. An excellent coastal destination for its impressive coral reefs, perfect for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts!

On the island, on the other hand, it is possible to visit the Lokobe reserve . Here you will find the natural habitat of several species of reptiles, including chameleons, and the Lemuria Land Botanical-Zoological Park , named for the abundance of lemurs that inhabit it.

June

As it is not high season yet, even June can be a cheap month to go to Madagascar. Rainfall is declining, temperatures are getting cooler and milder, and the rainforests are bursting with color.

This is the perfect month to visit Isalo National Park where you can find a huge variety of Madagascar animals. This is because different types of primates live here, including the ring-tailed lemur, about 80 different bird species, reptiles and amphibians. This variety of extraordinary flora and fauna is immersed in the immense Isalo massif, between canyons and spectacular gorges.

July and August

July and August in Madagascar are the high season months, so we recommend booking in advance to save money on travel and hotels and not miss out on the best safaris! In these two months, the climate is also somewhat cooler and more temperate, giving you the chance to enter the rich rainforests and discover the abundant flora and fauna that lives there.

But the exploration doesn't end on dry land; from the end of June we start to see the arrival of humpback whales, which migrate from Antarctica to the warmer waters of Madagascar to give birth and care for their young. If you do not want to miss this extraordinary event, July and August are months that will not disappoint you, as it will be very easy to spot these elegant creatures in places such as Ile Sainte Marie, Fort Dauphin, Nosy Be and Tulear.

Île Sainte-Marie is also the perfect place for those looking for dream beaches in Madagascar. This island, which stretches for almost 60 km, is in fact a paradise of white sand beaches, palm trees and clear water. Ideal for snorkeling! To the south there is a small pristine island commonly known as Nosy Nato ; there are no cars or roads here, just pure nature and relaxation.

September and October

September and October mark the end of the 'Australian winter', with long clear but not too warm days. The perfect climate to enjoy the beaches: the waters are in fact calmer and clearer. We recommend that you visit Baie de Sainte Luce , Ambondrona in Nosy Be (Nossi-Be) and Plage de Ramena .

September is the peak of bird breeding season in Madagascar, an excellent time for birdwatching enthusiasts. More than 250 different species of birds inhabit Madagascar, just under half of which take root only here! The diversity and vibrant colors of these birds are sure to fascinate everyone.

October in Madagascar is very similar to September, the tourist flow decreases significantly and temperatures rise, so expect heavy showers! But this should not be a discouraging factor, this is a special month that gives you the chance to live a unique and wonderful experience: the baby lemurs.

October is also a great month to head to the west coast, where temperatures are mild and rainfall is low. Enjoying a breathtaking sunset in the Avenue of the Baobabs is definitely an experience not to be missed in Madagascar. These immense trees are called the "Tree of Life" and can store a large amount of water in their trunk, up to 30 meters high!

November

We close our overview of when we go to Madagascar with the month of November. This month remains a great month to enjoy the view of lush flora and fauna. We recommend that you visit Andasibe National Park. The park is rich in exclusive vegetation and the largest park in size. Here you can hear the morning call of the Indri, an endemic species of Madagascar.

For those who want to enjoy the beaches of Madagascar instead, this is a good time at all the coasts of the country where the marine life amazes you with its bright colors and tropical fish.

Madagascar: Formalities and Travel Tips

Do you want to travel to Madagascar and organize this trip well? Then it is good to prepare yourself as well as possible and that is why we would like to give you some more information below.

Madagascar: How to Get There

The easiest and fastest way to get to Madagascar is definitely by plane, but that doesn't mean it isn't complicated. Reaching Madagascar can be difficult, as there are few direct flights from North America to Madagascar.

You can also travel within the country by using Air Madagascar.

Madagascar: Visa

To go to Madagascar you need an entry visa which you can obtain by contacting the Dutch embassy of Madagascar before departure or you can show your passport and your travel tickets upon arrival at the airport. Do not forget to check whether your passport is still valid for at least 6 months and whether there is at least one blank page for the entry stamp.

Madagascar: Languages and Currency

The languages spoken in Madagascar are Malagasy and French, as well as some English. French is preferred by the locals in most cases. This is because the English spoken in Madagascar is quite scarce outside the major cities and tourist areas.

The currency used in Madagascar is the Malagasy ariary with an equivalent value of 4172.40 per euro.

Madagascar: Accommodation and Transport

Traveling through Madagascar can be a bit complicated, which is why most tourists decide to rely on organized tours. Although these tours are expensive, they give you the option to stay in a hotel with full board and visit Madagascar. This always happens under the guidance of a local guide and a bus that takes you to the various destinations.

Travel on your own initiative

If, on the other hand, you want to visit Madagascar on your own and save money, we recommend that you take a little more time as internal connections are limited and the roads are not exactly safe. A common mode of travel suitable for those who want to save money is the Taxi-Brousse: this type of transport connects the major cities and can be a bit uncomfortable because they are always busy and have no fixed timetables.

Local transportation

In Madagascar it is also possible to rent a car with a Dutch driving license as long as you are over 23 years old and have owned it for at least one year. However, most car rental companies offer mandatory driver service, due to poor road safety. In any case, this will be a way to visit Madagascar with more freedom.

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