Madagascar

Madagascar - Tour Highlights & Travel Tips

A famous island, situated within the Indian Ocean, a trip to Madagascar will make you come close to lush natural landscapes, diverse animal life and a rich cultural heritage. Although it is estimated that the majority (above 90%) of Madagascar's forests have been eradicated, travelers can still take excursions through the forests that remain and maybe even spot the famous ring tailed lemur! Check out these lush forests if you are planning a holiday to Madagascar, and you may find out the inspiration behind the animated movie.

Madagascar - Tour Highlights & Travel Tips

• Go kayaking and fishing. Travelers can schedule kayaking tours led by guides. This is a popular way to see a good portion of Madagascar. Also, it is a great place for deep-sea fishing. Get away from the crowded beaches and go after some King Mackerel!
• Plan a wildlife excursions. What better way to get a taste of the wildlife home to Madagascar? Although some of the roads have been for too long unattended, you may get a chance to spot a lemur, an animal endemic to Madagascar.
• See the Baobab trees. This grove of mystical Baobab trees are sometimes over 800 years old, and beyond worthy of being caught on camera.

2. Wildlife & Animals – Madagascar

Madagascar has a big variety of animals, most of them endemic to the island, even though it isn’t a typical wildlife destination. Lemurs, chameleons, geckos and frogs are easily seen throughout the country but different parks are home to different species. The island is also a good base for marine wildlife viewing, in particular the seasonal migration of thousands of humpback whales.

Madagascar doesn’t have many predators. The biggest carnivore on the island is the secretive fossa. Although widespread, it is rarely seen, except in Kirindy Forest where several habituated individuals are easily spotted. Much smaller but equally evasive is the spotted fanaloka, only seen at night. Most parks have several lemur species, but the sought-after indri, known for its eerie call, reminiscent of a wailing baby, is restricted to a small patch of eastern rainforest.

Wildlife viewing in Madagascar is good throughout the year. In theory, the Wet season from November to April is best as some animals are more active during this period. January to March is the height of the Wet season and some lodges close over this time. Taking into consideration general travel conditions, the shoulder months, April, May, October and November, are overall the recommended months for viewing wildlife.

3. Best Time to Visit – Madagascar

September to November is a lovely time to be on the beach. The cool, dry months, from May to October, are best for hiking. However, the coldest months, June to September, are not as good to see some animals. The shoulder months (April, May, October and November) are best for serious wildlife viewing. January and February, the height of the Wet season, is best avoided.

May to October – Dry Season –Winter

• Less rain and the forest paths are drier
• Many lemurs have babies in October
• Beaches are lovely during September and October
• Reptiles and some mammals are less active from June to September
• It gets cold at night in some areas
• Popular parks get busy from July to August

November to April – Wet Season –Summer

• Orchids bloom from January to March
• September to December are the best bird-watching months
• Reptiles and some mammals are more active
• Some parks become inaccessible from January to March
• January to February is the cyclone season on the east coast
• It rains a lot in some parks and the humidity is high
• Forest paths can become very muddy and slippery

4. Getting There – Madagascar

Madagascar's main airport is Ivato International Airport (TNR), located 12km/7mi north of Antananarivo. The second international airport is located in the north of the country, offshore on Nosy Be, the island’s most popular beach destination. This airport is mainly used for all-inclusive beach packages.

There are scheduled domestic flights to several cities in the country but since the scheduled flights are notoriously unreliable, the use of chartered flights is recommended. Road travel is also possible, but due to the size of the island and the bad condition of the roads, most tours incorporate at least one domestic flight.

In most cases we will arrange pick-up at the airport and organize further transportation as part of your travel package.

Passport, Visa and Other Entry Requirements

• A passport is required for all foreign visitors and must be valid for at least six months.
• Passports must have at least two clean visa pages.
• A scan of your return ticket is required.
• Citizens of all countries require a visa.
• Single entry tourist visas up to three months are available on arrival.
• Visas can also be obtained in advance from Madagascar embassies or high commissions.
• When arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country in Africa or the Americas, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.